What civil engineers are reading this week

• California ingenuity: Solar panels built over canals generate power, save water

  An irrigation district installed the panels over canals to show how such systems can generate electrical power and reduce loss of water from evaporation. How many megawatts of electricity can they produce?

• From plastic to pure water: Scientists turn trash into a super catalyst

  An optimized mechanochemical process produces multifunctional composite particles that remove pollutants from water.

• As the dams feeding Tehran run dry, Iran struggles with dire water crisis

  Iran spends 90% of its water on low-yield agriculture in a pursuit of self-sufficiency that exacerbates drought.

• Michigan celebrates completion of I-475 project

  The Michigan Department of Transportation recently completed a $141 million project to rebuild about 3 miles of Interstate 475 in Genesee County from the Flint River to Carpenter Road. 

• By the numbers: How the US recycles in 2025

  As public and private entities continue efforts to boost recycling rates, there are numerous infrastructure investments, curbside programs, and new state laws that have also played roles this year.

• Sulfur-based batteries could offer EVs a greener, longer-range option

  Battery researchers are seeking options with better performance, improved environmental sustainability, and lower cost than lithium-ion batteries.