Trinity research sp tlight Explore some of the most unexpected and intriguing research projects unfolding on campus, where innovation takes surprising turns Trinity’s ‘shark Fitbit’ yields valuable data on basking sharks' responses to potentially lethal boat strikes A team from Trinity used a ‘shark Fitbit’ to track the behaviour of a basking shark in Co Kerry. The device, attached to a seven-metre female shark, collected data showing how the shark reacted to being hit by a vessel just six hours after attachment. The shark swam to the seafloor, moved to deeper waters, and reduced activity, indicating a possible injury. The incident occurred in Ireland’s first national marine park, where these endangered sharks gather. The research underscores the need for legally binding boating regulations to protect the species, including speed restrictions where sharks are present. Basking sharks are particularly at risk due to their surface- feeding behaviour, and unlike whales, they often sink when killed, making mortality rates hard to assess. This study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science , calls for greater public education on preventing boat strikes to safeguard these endangered animals. A cracking discovery – eggshell waste can recover rare earth elements needed for green energy Researchers from Trinity and the SFI Research Centre for Applied Geosciences (iCRAG) have discovered a sustainable method for recovering rare earth elements (REEs) using eggshell waste. Published in the ACS Omega journal, the study demonstrates that calcium carbonate in eggshells can absorb and separate REEs from water, a crucial process for green energy technologies like electric cars and wind turbines. By exposing eggshells to REE solutions at temperatures ranging from 25°C to 205°C, the team found that these elements could diffuse into the eggshells, forming new minerals like kozoite and bastnasite, essential for industry. This innovative approach offers a low-cost, eco-friendly solution to the growing demand for REEs, aligning with circular economy principles.
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