Conventional energy storage systems, such as pumped hydroelectric storage, lead–acid batteries, and compressed air energy storage (CAES), have been widely used for energy storage. However, these systems face significant limitations, including geographic constraints, high construction costs, low energy efficiency, and environmental challenges. Among these, lead–acid batteries, despite their widespread use, suffer from issues such as heavy weight, sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, low energy density, and limited depth of discharge. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative, offering portability, fast charging, long cycle life, and higher energy density. However, LIBs still face challenges related to limited lifespan, safety concerns (such as overheating), and environmental impact due to resource extraction and emissions. This review explores the introduction of nanotechnology as a transformative approach to enhance efficiency and overcome the limitations of LIBs. We provide an in-depth overview of various nanotechnology-based solutions for LIBs, focusing on their impact on energy density, cycle life, safety, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, we discuss advanced thermal analysis techniques used to assess and improve the performance of nanotechnology-enhanced LIBs. Finally, we examine the role of nanoparticles in the environmental remediation of LIBs, offering insights into how they can mitigate the ecological footprint of battery disposal and recycling. This review aims to highlight the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize energy storage systems and address the growing demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions.

Soil contamination with heavy metals presents a substantial environmental peril, necessitating the exploration of innovative remediation approaches. This research aimed to investigate the efficiency of nano-silica in stabilizing heavy metals in a calcareous heavy metal-contaminated soil. The soil was treated with five nano-silica levels of 0, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg and incubated for two months. The results showed that nano-silica had a specific surface area of 179.68 \({\text{m}}^{2}/\text{g}\). At 1000 mg/kg, the DTPA-extractable concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr decreased by 12%, 11%, 11.6%, 10%, and 9.5% compared to the controls, respectively. Additionally, as the nano-silica application rate increased, both soil pH and specific surface area increased. The augmentation of nano-silica adsorbent in the soil led to a decline in the exchangeable (EX) and carbonate-bound fractions of Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cr, while the distribution of heavy metals in fractions bonded with Fe–Mn oxides, organic matter, and residue increased. The use of 1000 mg/kg nano-silica resulted in an 8.0% reduction in EX Pb, 4.5% in EX Cu, 7.3% in EX Zn, 7.1% in EX Ni, and 7.9% in EX Cr compared to the control treatment. Overall, our study highlights the potential of nano silica as a promising remediation strategy for addressing heavy metal pollution in contaminated soils, offering sustainable solutions for environmental restoration and ecosystem protection.

The plastic film mulching system has a significant role in increasing crop grain yields by changing the microenvironment of the plant. On the other hand, plastic mulching materials pollute the land and water because they are not degraded or disposed of properly. Biodegradable plastic mulches (BPM) may be used as a substitute for conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to protect soil health. In this review, the effect of micro(nano)plastics on soil health and function has been discussed in light of their distribution in soil, changes in soil biochemistry, interactions between microplastics with soil microbes and plants, and their growth patterns. The nano-plastics are now incorporated into the food chain from the soil through plants and finally harm the whole ecosystem, including humans. The use of BPM has been practiced recently, but only 1% of the world’s total plastic production is from biodegradable materials. In the second part of the review, the confusing terms "bio-based" and "biodegradable" were clarified based on their polymeric constituents. The physical parameters of different constituent materials for mulching purposes and their capability for sustainable solarization have been discussed. The effect of biodegradable mulches on soil health and other ecotoxic effects on plants, soil microorganisms, and other soil dwellers like Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri bacteria, green algae, slime mould, protozoa, invertebrates like earthworms, and common water fleas have been focused on in this review. In conclusion, the use of BPM for mulching purposes was reported to improve crop quality and yield and reduce weed growth in comparison to naked soil. The recent short-term studies ensured that mulches stayed unbroken throughout the growing season. But simultaneously, the biodegradable mulches affect soil health and have a substantial impact on physical parameters such as soil pH, electrical conductivity, aggregate stability, infiltration, nitrate-N, exchangeable potassium, etc. Therefore, a lot of long-term research is required for the use of BPM as a substitute for conventional LDPE as a mulching film in the agricultural field.

Identifying a high-yielding and economically advantageous berseem variety, along with optimal nutrient management strategies, is crucial for maximizing fodder and forage crops productivity and profitability. To accomplish these objectives, a field experiment was carried out in a split-plot design during the rabi season of 2022-2023. The main plot accommodated two different berseem varieties (BL-42 and Mescavi). The subplot consisted of nine different nutrient combinations: Control, 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP), 100% recommended dose of zinc (RDZn), 100% RDP + one Nano spray (P), 75% RDP + two Nano spray (P,) 50% RDP + three Nano spray (P), 100% RDZn + zinc solubilizing bacteria (ZnSB), 75% RDZn + ZnSB, and 50% RDZn + ZnSB. The study assessed the effects of phosphorus and zinc nutrient management on the physiological and morphological responses, yield attributes, and economic attributes of various berseem cultivars. The results revealed that the Mescavi variety outperformed the BL-42 variety regarding physiological growth and biomass yield. The Mescavi exhibited an 18% increase in green fodder output and a 24% increase in dry matter yield compared to the BL-42 variety. In addition, applying 100% RDP+ one Nano spray (P) resulted in a substantial increase of 144% in green fodder production and 330% in dry matter yield compared to the control treatment. Mescavi yielded a gross return of 32793 ? ha-1 and a net return of 19985 ? ha-1 compared to the BL-42 variety, with a gross and net return of 27635 ? ha-1 and 14827 ? ha-1, respectively. The treatment comprising of 100% RDP + one Nano spray (P) resulted in the highest gross and net return (37866.67 and 23666.67 ? ha-1, respectively) as compared to the control treatment (15512.44 and 4296.94 ? ha-1, respectively). The notable differences in output and returns confirmed the effectiveness of specific agronomic approaches in enhancing the profitability and sustainability of fodder farming.

In contemporary agriculture, nano-fertilizers have great promise for improving nutrient use efficiency and minimizing nutrient loss to the environment. However, little is known about the effectiveness of zinc (Zn) and nano-urea fertilization on different barley varieties. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different application rates of the recommended dose of fertiliser (50, 75 and 100 %) along with nano-urea sprays and zinc fertilization in evaluating growth and yield performance of two varieties of barley (PL 172 and PL 426). The study also focused on how different treatments affected the soil characteristics. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot design and was replicated thrice. The results confirmed that green and dry fodder yields, quality attributes and final soil nutrient status were significantly influenced by different treatments under consideration. The results showed that maximum green fodder yield (t ha-1), dry fodder yield (t ha-1), crude protein (%), ash content (%), crude fiber (%) and total carbohydrate content (%) were obtained with PL 172 variety and with the application of 75 % Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN) + two nano-urea sprays + two foliar zinc sprays.

Carbon credits are a promising market-based tool for combating climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, three of the most pressing environmental problems currently facing the global environment. Carbon credit schemes have stimulated investments in renewable energy, forestry, sustainable agriculture, soil carbon management and decreased emissions by putting a monetary value on greater carbon sequestration and reduced emissions. The public and commercial sectors can now work together to combat climate change, facilitated by mechanisms that have helped close the gap between environmental responsibility and financial viability. There must be rigorous science, open government and sound policy frameworks for carbon credits to succeed. They have not yet reached their full potential due to ongoing issues with additionality, the permanence of sequestration, leakage risks and discrepancies in measuring, reporting and verification (MRV). Without robust regulations, carbon markets risk becoming more symbolic than practical. However, carbon credits provide a scalable and adaptable alternative that may supplement direct emission reductions and support sustainability objectives in the long term when well planned and executed. Carbon credits are an essential component of global climate policies, as they promote sustainable land-use practices and reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.