When nature designed lignin — the fibrous, woody material that gives plants their rigid structure — it didn’t cut any corners. Incredibly slow to break down, lignin is so sturdy and long lasting that ...

Materials scientists have converted particles from vehicle exhaust soot into electrodes for a microbial fuel cell that can clean up wastewater and generate electricity 1. The electrodes can also be ...

The fuel cell's 3D printed cap peeks above the ground. The cap keeps debris out of the device while enabling air flow. New fuel cell harnesses naturally occurring microbes to generate electricity Soil ...

Researchers have developed a sustainable, inexpensive two-step process that can upcycle organic carbon waste -- including lignin, a difficult-to-breakdown material that gives plants their structure.