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In ruminants’ metabolism, a surplus of hydrogen is removed from the reduction reaction of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) by the formation of methane by methanogenic bacteria and archaea methanogens. The balance of calculations between VFA (volatile fatty acids), CO2, and CH4 indicates that acetate and butyrate play a role in methane production, while the formation of propionate maintains hydrogen and therefore reduces methane production. CH4 formation in ruminant livestock is not desired because it reduces feed efficiency and contributes to global warming. Therefore, numerous strategies have been investigated to mitigate methane production in ruminants. This review focuses on feed additives which have the capability of reducing methane emissions in ruminants. Due to the environmental importance of methane emissions, such studies are needed to make milk and meat production more sustainable. Additionally, the additives which have no adverse effects on rumen microbial population and where the reduction effects are a result of their hydrogen sink property, are the best reduction methods. Methane inhibitors have shown such a property in most cases. More work is needed to bring methane-reducing agents in ruminant diets to full market maturity, so that farmers can reap feed cost savings and simultaneously achieve environmental benefits.

The increasing global focus on green nanotechnology research has spurred the development of environmentally and biologically safe applications for various nanomaterials. Nanotechnology involves crafting diverse nanoparticles in terms of shapes and sizes, with a particular emphasis on environmentally friendly synthesis routes. Among these, biogenic approaches, including plant-based synthesis, are favored for their safety, simplicity, and sustainability. Silver nanoparticles, in particular, have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional effectiveness, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) has emerged as a promising candidate for aiding in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Leveraging the phytochemical constituents of Cannabis, researchers have successfully tailored silver nanoparticles for a wide array of applications, spanning from biomedicine to environmental remediation. This review explores the properties, synthesis mechanisms, and applications of silver nanoparticles obtained from Cannabis. Additionally, it delves into the recent advancements in green synthesis techniques and elucidates the optical properties of these nanoparticles. By shedding light on plant-based fabrication methods for silver nanoparticles and their diverse bionanotechnology applications, this review aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in the field of green nanotechnology. Through a comprehensive examination of the synthesis processes, mechanistic aspects, and potential applications, this review underscores the importance of sustainable approaches in nanoparticle synthesis and highlights the potential of Cannabis-derived silver nanoparticles in addressing various societal and environmental challenges.

This paper examines a series of bachelor’s and master’s thesis projects from the supervisor’s perspective, focusing on how Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) can enhance industrial robotics engineering education. While industrial robotics systems continue to evolve and the need for skilled robotics engineers grows, teaching methods have not changed. Mostly, higher education in robotics engineering still relies on funding industrial robots or otherwise on traditional 2D tools that do not effectively represent the complex spatial interactions involved in robotics. This study presents a comparative analysis of seven thesis projects integrating MR technologies to address these challenges. All projects were supervised by the lead author and showcase different approaches and learning outcomes, building on insights from previous work. This comparison outlines the benefits and challenges of using MR for robotics engineering education. Additionally, it shares key takeaways from a supervisory standpoint as an evolutionary process, offering practical insights for fellow educators/supervisors guiding MR-based robotics education projects.

The global population is increasing, with a predicted demand for 1250 million tonnes of animal-derived protein by 2050, which will be difficult to meet. Single-cell protein (SCP) offers a sustainable solution. This review covers SCP production mechanisms, microbial and substrate choices, and advancements in metabolic engineering and CRISPR-Cas. It emphasizes second-generation substrates and fermentation for a circular economy. Despite challenges like high nucleic acid content, SCP promises to solve the global nutrition problem.

One-carbon (C1) biomanufacturing serves as a substitute for fossil-based feedstocks, aiming to de-fossilize chemical production and foster a circular carbon economy by recycling waste greenhouse gases. Here, we review the key economic and technical barriers associated with the commercialization of C1 biomanufacturing through case studies. Additionally, a viable roadmap to enhance cost competitiveness is unveiled, underscoring its potential to facilitate carbon neutrality as scalable and sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical production. The implementation of one-carbon (C1) biomanufacturing is limited to laboratory or pilot scales. Here, the authors highlight the economic and technical challenges associated with scaling up C1 biomanufacturing and propose strategies to address these challenges.

Bioactive peptides are protein components which are inactive within the protein structure, and upon release by enzymatic hydrolysis, they exhibit special physiological functions. In the last years, the characteristics of bioactive peptides obtained from various plant, animal and microbial sources have received much attention. Bioactive peptides are produced using hydrolysis by enzymes extracted from plants or microorganisms, or digestive enzymes and fermentation by proteolytic starter cultures. The composition and sequence of the amino acids determines their different functions, including relaxing effects, solute binding properties, strengthening of the immune system, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and anti-hypertensive effects. Bioactive peptides are identified by different methods including membrane separation techniques and chromatography from protein hydrolysis products and using spectrometric techniques. The possibility of using bioactive peptides as health or therapeutic components depends on ensuring their bio stability, bioavailability and safety.

This study considered the effects of soybean processing methods (raw, roasted, microwaved) and selenium (Se) supplementation (nano-Se, sodium selenite) on in vitro rumen fermentation kinetics and microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. Soybeans were thermally processed, and gas production (GP) and MFC voltage were measured over 96–120 h. Chemical analysis revealed microwave processing increased crude protein (39.20% vs. 37.35% raw) and reduced fiber content, enhancing digestibility. Gas production kinetics showed microwaved soybeans yielded the highest cumulative GP (312.75 mL/g DM at 96 h), surpassing roasted and raw treatments, likely due to structural modifications improving microbial accessibility. Nano-Se supplementation further amplified GP (320.04 mL/g DM at 96 h) and MFC voltage (3502.60 mV at 120 h), outperforming inorganic Se, attributed to enhanced microbial activity and antioxidant capacity. MFC voltage correlated strongly with GP (r = 0.95–0.99), validating MFCs as a dual-metric tool for assessing fermentation efficiency. Microwave processing generated the highest voltage (3241.30 mV), reflecting efficient electron transfer from disrupted fibrous structures. Nano-Se accelerated microbial kinetics, demonstrating superior bioavailability. Results highlight that thermal processing, particularly microwaving, optimizes nutrient utilization, while nano-Se enhances rumen microbial functions. The integration of GP and MFC metrics provides novel insights into feed degradability and microbial energetics, offering strategies to improve ruminant productivity and reduce environmental impacts. This study underscores the potential of combining advanced processing techniques and selenium supplementation to refine feed formulations and advance sustainable livestock practices.

Conventional Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) equipment can only deposit materials in a single direction, limiting the strength of printed products. Robotic 3D printing provides more degrees of freedom (DOF) to control the material deposition and has become a trend in additive manufacturing. However, there is little discussion on the strength effect of multi-DOF printing. This paper presents an efficient process framework for multi-axis 3D printing based on the robot to improve the strength. A multi-DOF continuous toolpath planning method is designed to promote the printed part’s strength and surface quality. We generate curve layers along the model surfaces and fill Fermat spiral in the layers. The method makes it possible to take full advantage of the multi-axis robot arm to achieve smooth printing on surfaces with high curvature and avoid the staircase effect and collision in the process. To further improve print quality, a control strategy is provided to synchronize the material extrusion and robot arm movement. Experiments show that the tensile strength increases by 22–167% compared with the conventional flat slicing method for curved-surface parts. The surface quality is improved by eliminating the staircase effect. The continuous toolpath planning also supports continuous fiber-reinforced printing without a cutting device. Finally, we compared with other multi-DOF printing, the application scenarios, and limitations are given.

The fused filament fabrication process is the most used additive manufacturing process due to its simplicity and low operating costs. In this process, a thermoplastic filament is led through an extruder, melted, and applied to a building platform by the axial movements of an automated Cartesian system in such a way that a three-dimensional object is created layer by layer. Compared to other additive manufacturing technologies, the components produced have mechanical limitations and are often not suitable for functional applications. To reduce the anisotropy of mechanical strength in fused filament fabrication (FFF), this paper proposes a 3D weaving deposit path planning method that utilizes a 5-layer repetitive structure to achieve interlocking and embedding between neighbor slicing planes to improve the mechanical linkage within the layers. The developed algorithm extends the weaving path as an infill pattern to fill different structures and makes this process feasible on a standard three-axis 3D printer. Compared with 3D weaving printed parts by layer-to-layer deposit, the anisotropy of mechanical properties inside layers is significantly reduced to 10.21% and 0.98%.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), renowned for its applications in environmental, industrial, and medicinal fields, is critically evaluated in this comprehensive review focusing on the impacts of chemical and organic fertilizers on its cultivation. As hemp re-emerges as a crop of economic significance, the choice between chemical and organic fertilization methods plays a crucial role in determining not only yield but also the quality and sustainability of production. This article examines the botanical characteristics of hemp, optimal growth conditions, and the essential biochemical processes for its cultivation. A detailed comparative analysis is provided, revealing that chemical fertilizers, while increasing yield by up to 20% compared to organic options, may compromise the concentration of key phytochemicals such as cannabidiol by approximately 10%, highlighting a trade-off between yield and product quality. The review presents quantitative assessments of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) from both fertilizer types, noting that K significantly influences the synthesis of terpenes and cannabinoids, making it the most impactful element in the context of medicinal and aromatic hemp varieties. Optimal rates and timing of application for these nutrients are discussed, with a focus on maximizing efficiency during the flowering stage, where nutrient uptake directly correlates with cannabinoid production. Furthermore, the challenges associated with the U.S. industrial hemp market are addressed, noting that reducing production costs and improving processing infrastructure is essential for sustaining industry growth, especially given the slow expansion in fiber and cannabidiol markets due to processing bottlenecks. The review concludes that while chemical fertilizers may offer immediate agronomic benefits, transitioning towards organic practices is essential for long-term environmental sustainability and market viability. The future of the hemp industry, while promising, will depend heavily on advancements in genetic engineering, crop management strategies, and regulatory frameworks that better support sustainable cultivation practices. This nuanced approach is vital for the industry to navigate the complex trade-offs between productivity, environmental health, and economic viability in the global market.