This review addresses the growing need for the efficient recycling of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules (PVMs), in the context of global solar energy adoption and the impending surge in end-of-life (EoL) panel waste. It examines current recycling methodologies and associated challenges, given PVMs’ finite lifespan and the anticipated rise in solar panel waste. The study explores various recycling methods—mechanical, thermal, and chemical—each with unique advantages and limitations. Mechanical recycling, while efficient, faces economic and environmental constraints. Thermal methods, particularly pyrolysis, effectively break down organic materials but are energy-intensive. Chemical processes are adept at recovering high-purity materials but struggle with ecological and cost considerations. The review also highlights multifaceted challenges in recycling, including hazardous by-product generation, environmental impact, and the economic feasibility of recycling infrastructures. The conclusion emphasizes the need for innovative, sustainable, and economically viable recycling technologies. Such advancements, alongside global standards and policy development, are crucial for the long-term sustainability of solar energy and effective management of PVM waste.

Because carbon dioxide adsorbs the radiation from the Sun and the Earth’s surface, global warming has become a severe problem in this century. Global warming causes many environmental problems such as heatwave, desertification, and erratic rainfall. Above all, erratic rainfall makes people have insufficient freshwater. To solve this problem, desalination technology has been developed in many countries. Although desalination technology can provide freshwater, it produces brine as well (producing 1 L of freshwater would result in 1 L of brine). The brine will decrease the dissolved oxygen in the sea and affect the organism’s habitat. In this study, magnesium and calcium from desalination brine were recovered in the form of magnesium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide by adjusting the pH value for carbon capture and sodium removal. Magnesium hydroxide would turn into magnesium carbonate through contacting CO₂ in saturated amine carriers. Calcium hydroxide was added to the brine and reacted with CO₂ (modified Solvay process). Sodium in brine would then be precipitated in the form of sodium bicarbonate. After removing sodium, brine can be released back into the ocean, or other valuable metals can be extracted from brine without the side effect of sodium. The results revealed that 288 K of 3-Amino-1-propanol could capture 15 L (26.9 g) of CO₂ and that 25 g/L of Ca(OH)₂ at 288 K was the optimal parameter to remove 7000 ppm sodium and adsorb 16 L (28.7 g) of CO₂ in the modified Solvay process. In a nutshell, this research aims to simultaneously treat the issue of CO₂ emission and desalination brine by combining the amines carrier method and the modified Solvay process.

For achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, countries worldwide are committed to setting ambitious carbon reduction targets. In 2022, the officially published report, “Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050”, sets out a comprehensive transition plan based on four fundamental strategies: energy, industrial, lifestyle, and social. This transition will likely entail an infrastructure transformation in all sectors of the economy, embracing renewable energy, electricity, and low-carbon fuels. While the Taiwan government is rolling up its sleeves to accelerate the pace of carbon-emission reduction, it is risky to set targets without considering the full implications of net-zero emission and how it will be achieved. This paper provides four insights into Taiwan’s net-zero-emission plan from a perspective of the current understanding of decarbonization and the techniques urgently needed. Although many uncertainties and outstanding questions exist in our net-zero energy systems, and the required granular information for decision makers to track progress has not been clearly identified, this paper points out the characteristics that have been neglected and provides guidance for all stakeholders—governments, businesses, investors, and citizens—to work together on a coordinated plan to tackle climate change.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) particles have attracted increasing attention as a promising material for drug delivery systems. In this study, coral remains were utilized as a raw material for a novel drug carrier. A series of pre-treatment and parameter experiments were conducted to synthesize sub-micron spherical CaCO₃ particles. The CaCO₃ particles exhibited uniform size distribution, with the minimum mean size being only 344 nm. The effects on the CaCO₃ crystal phases and particle sizes were also discussed in this study. Drug loading experiments were also conducted to assess the feasibility of the CaCO₃ drug carrier. We loaded TRITC-Dextran into CaCO₃ particles for the simulation experiments. The loading capacity reached up to 9.6 wt.%, which was as high as common drug carriers such as liposomes. In this study, we aimed not only to tackle the local environmental issues caused by coral remains, but also to synthesize a suitable drug carrier for cancer therapy using the outstanding properties and low cost of CaCO₃.