This review highlights our 3-pronged approach to improving ionomer behavior at interfaces and addressing proton conduction limitations in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), an eco-friendly solution for powering vehicles and devices.

Interfacial design using strategically chosen linkers, like cysteamine, can effectively mitigate confinement effects in ionomer thin films and improve proton transport in targeted directions.

This research explores the microbial biodegradation of used and unused power steering fluids (PSF), emphasizing the identification and isolation of bacterial and fungal communities and their contributions to biodegradation in pure and mixed cultures. Results revealed higher counts of cultivable bacteria and fungi in used PSF, linking microbial activity to degradation. Eight bacterial species were isolated, including Corynebacterium sp., Citrobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Serratia sp., Micrococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Shigella sp., and Staphylococcus sp., along with seven fungal species: Candida sp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Saccharomyces sp., and Mucor sp. Mixed bacterial and fungal cultures proved most effective at utilizing the fluid, evidenced by increased Total Viable Count (TVC), optical density (OD), and reduced pH, indicating hydrocarbon breakdown and acid production. When comparing PSF brands, fluids Abro Power Steering Fluid and Oando ATF Dexron II — largely derived from mineral oils—were more readily biodegraded than Sea Max ATF Dexron III, which contains more complex hydrocarbons. In summary, the findings highlight the critical role of bacterial and fungal consortia in PSF biodegradation, offering valuable insights for bioremediation and fluid management strategies.

Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination of soils is a persistent problem in many oil-producing regions, where conventional remediation methods are often too costly or impractical to implement. Biostimulation using locally available organic materials offers a simple and sustainable alternative. In this study, cassava peels and sawdust were evaluated as low-cost agro-waste amendments for the remediation of crude oil–polluted soil. The materials were applied individually and in combination (1:1 ratio) and incubated for 56 days. Soil samples collected on Days 0, 28, and 56 were analyzed for extractable total petroleum hydrocarbons (ETPH), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and pH. Only minor natural attenuation was observed in the untreated polluted soil, with about 1% ETPH reduction after 56 days. In contrast, cassava peels and sawdust enhanced hydrocarbon degradation, achieving ETPH reductions of 23.1% and 18.7%, respectively. The combined treatment produced the largest reduction (38.6%) and resulted in among the lowest residual Ni and Cd concentrations. Soil pH in amended treatments remained near neutral, creating conditions favorable for microbial activity. Overall, the findings show that agro-waste materials can effectively improve bioremediation performance and provide a practical, low-cost option for managing crude oil–contaminated soils, particularly in resource-limited settings.