Technology

HKBU develops new catalytic membrane that boosts efficiency of cleaning wastewater using oxygen

Published

12 months ago

May 20, 2025

HONG KONG, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A research team led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has developed a novel catalytic membrane that can substantially boost the efficiency of cleaning wastewater using a modified advanced oxidation process (AOP). The invention contributes to the effort of tackling environmental pollution problems by offering a safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for wastewater treatment.

The research findings have been published in the international academic journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Novel technology targeting phenolic pollutants

Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue. Phenolic compounds are a major group of pollutants that pose a significant threat to the world’s potable water supply. They are widely present in industrial effluents, agricultural runoff and municipal wastewater. They can persist in the environment for long periods, accumulate in living organisms and pose significant risks to human health and water quality. Traditional methods for removing phenolic pollutants often require hazardous chemicals or energy-intensive processes.

AOPs have been increasingly recognised and developed over the past few decades to remove pollutants from water. They are a set of chemical treatment methods which activate oxidants into reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can be used to break down pollutants in wastewater. Among these ROS, singlet oxygen (1O2) is particularly effective in targeting phenolic compounds.

More efficient in generating ROS

However, existing methods to generate ROS usually require strong oxidants and energy inputs as catalysts, which can be costly and environmentally unfriendly. Moreover, traditional AOP systems face two significant challenges: the inefficient transfer of molecular oxygen (O2) in water due to its low solubility, and the difficulty in getting pollutants to interact with the catalyst surface due to the surrounding water film as a barrier.

In response to these issues, a research team led by Professor Zhao Jun, Associate Professor of the Department of Biology at HKBU, has developed a novel catalytic membrane named “NGCF-OV”. It is made from a composite material that combines two advanced materials, N-doped reduced graphene oxide and cobalt ferrite. This membrane offers a promising solution for AOP and addresses the challenge of efficiently activating molecular oxygen to become 1O2.

Proven efficacy in degrading bisphenol A

The NGCF-OV membrane contains unique sites (asymmetric Co-OV-Fe sites) that can adjust the bond length of O2, i.e., the distance between the centres of the two oxygen atoms that are bonded together, and thus facilitate faster and more efficient electron transfer. As a result, 1O2 can be produced without the need for other catalytic agents and external energy inputs. Additionally, the membrane also features graphitic nitrogen sites that trap pollutants close to the membrane’s surface. The distance between the pollutants and the 1O2 molecules generated is therefore significantly reduced, overcoming the water film barrier issue with reaction efficiency greatly improved.

The NGCF-OV membrane demonstrated superior efficiency in generating and utilising 1O2 for pollutant degradation. Test results show that this novel technology can completely degrade bisphenol A, a common and harmful pollutant, in just 86 milliseconds (one thousandth of a second), outperforming many existing cleanup methods.

More sustainable and efficient wastewater treatment

Professor Zhao said: “This research marks a significant advancement in the field of water treatment and represents a promising strategy for addressing environmental pollution. By effectively integrating the processes of O2 activation and pollutant degradation within a single membrane, this technology offers a more sustainable and efficient approach to treating contaminated water.

“The ability to generate reactive oxygen species without external energy inputs makes this membrane particularly suitable for emergency pollution remediation and everyday water treatment applications,” he added.

Application of the NGCF-OV membrane is not limited to the degradation of a specific pollutant like bisphenol A. Instead, its catalytic properties can be harnessed for the degradation of a variety of organic pollutants in wastewater, such as antibiotics, pesticides, dyes, etc. It paves the way for more advanced practical pollution remediation technologies and contributes to the broader goal of protecting public health and preserving the environment.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Baptist University

Technology

Nelnet Campus Commerce Named Top Higher Education Payment Solutions Provider by Education Technology Insights

Published

9 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

LINCOLN, Neb., May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nelnet Campus Commerce, a division of Nelnet, Inc. (NYSE: NNI), announced it has been named Top Higher Education Payment Solutions Provider for 2026 by Education Technology Insights, a leading education technology publication. The recognition highlights payment providers making a measurable impact on how colleges and universities manage, process, and protect student-facing financial transactions.

This designation marks the second time in three years that Nelnet Campus Commerce has been honored by the Education Technology Insights publisher family. In 2023, sister publication Enterprise Security Magazine named Nelnet Campus Commerce a Top Payment Security Solutions Provider, reinforcing the company’s sustained focus on building secure, fully integrated payment technology for higher education.

Education Technology Insights is a monthly print and digital publication reaching more than 127,000 qualified subscribers. Honorees are selected through a structured evaluation process that includes subscriber nominations, editorial research, and review by an industry advisory panel.

For nearly 25 years, Nelnet Campus Commerce has maintained the highest levels of payment security and compliance in higher education, including Payment Card Industry (PCI) Level 1 validation, Point-to-Point (P2PE) Encryption, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance, and Nacha (the electronic payments association) Verified status. These credentials, combined with deep integrations across all major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, have made Nelnet Campus Commerce a trusted partner for more than 1,100 higher education institutions navigating an increasingly complex payments landscape.

“Being recognized by Education Technology Insights, and by the same publisher that recognized our payment security leadership in 2023, reflects the sustained commitment our team brings to this work every day,” said Jackie Strohbehn, President of Nelnet Campus Commerce. “Higher education institutions deserve platforms that are not only flexible and intuitive for students and payers, but fundamentally secure. This recognition affirms that we are delivering on both, and we are grateful to our partner institutions who trust us to support their students and operations.”

The full editorial profile of Nelnet Campus Commerce is available on the Education Technology Insights website.

About Nelnet Campus Commerce
Nelnet Campus Commerce delivers unlimited payment opportunities across campus. Solutions use the latest technology to create a unique and integrated payment experience for more than 1,100 higher education institutions across the country. The intuitive and secure solutions are PCI Level 1 validated and integrate with every major ERP system. From payment processing and refunds to tuition payment plans and online storefronts, Nelnet Campus Commerce helps process every payment on campus. For more information, visit CampusCommerce.com.

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SOURCE Nelnet Campus Commerce

Technology

Cboe Global Markets Reports Trading Volume for April 2026

Published

9 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

CHICAGO, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading global markets operator and pioneer in equity derivatives, today reported April trading volume statistics across its global business lines.

The data sheet “Cboe Global Markets Monthly Volume & RPC/Net Revenue Capture Report” contains an overview of certain April trading statistics and market share by business segment, volume in select index products, and RPC/net capture, which is reported on a one-month lag, across business lines.

Average Daily Trading Volume (ADV) by Month

Year-To-Date

Apr

2026

Apr

2025

Chg

Mar
2026

%
Chg

Apr

2026

Apr

2025

%
Chg

Multi-listed options (contracts, k)

14,374

13,260

8.4 %

14,203

1.2 %

14,051

13,372

5.1 %

Index options (contracts, k)

6,257

5,087

23.0 %

6,876

-9.0 %

6,167

4,853

27.1 %

Futures (contracts, k)1

222

309

-28.0 %

338

-34.1 %

268

265

1.1 %

U.S. Equities – On-Exchange (matched shares, mn)

1,677

2,118

-20.8 %

2,048

-18.1 %

1,890

1,765

7.1 %

U.S. Equities – Off-Exchange (matched shares, mn)

220

125

75.7 %

240

-8.4 %

242

100

142.8 %

Canadian Equities (matched shares, k)

195,488

170,517

14.6 %

203,135

-3.8 %

210,630

162,357

29.7 %

European Equities (€, mn)

16,624

17,410

-4.5 %

18,629

-10.8 %

17,122

14,684

16.6 %

Australian Equities (AUD, mn)

1,125

1,047

7.4 %

1,318

-14.7 %

1,181

873

35.3 %

Global FX ($, mn)

57,873

65,340

-11.4 %

79,865

-27.5 %

67,171

55,398

21.3 %

Cboe Clear Europe Cleared Trades (k)

141,289

167,213

-15.5 %

169,513

-16.7 %

576,006

579,285

-0.6 %

Cboe Clear Europe Net Settlements (k)

1,285

1,099

16.9 %

1,431

-10.2 %

5,216

4,300

21.3 %

1 In the second quarter of 2025, Digital futures products were transitioned to Cboe Futures Exchange. Futures metrics prior to the second quarter of 2025 exclude Digital futures products.

April 2026 Trading Volume Highlights

U.S. Options

Cboe’s proprietary index options set a single-day record on April 14 with 9.0 million contracts traded.S&P 500 Index (SPX) options set a single-day record on April 17 with 6.7 million contracts traded.Several areas across the business saw the second-highest monthly ADV on record, including Cboe’s proprietary index options (6.3 million), SPX options (5.0 million), mini-SPX options (XSP) (188 thousand contracts), and trading during Cboe’s Global Trading Hours (GTH) session (8:15 p.m. to 9:25 a.m. ET) (175 thousand contracts).

About Cboe Global Markets

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE) is a leading global markets operator with a long history of innovation in equity derivatives. Since launching the world’s first listed options exchange in 1973, Cboe has pioneered landmark products, including the introduction of S&P 500® index options and the creation of the VIX® Index, the world’s leading gauge of market volatility, reshaping how investors manage risk and access opportunity. Today, Cboe operates derivatives, equities, and FX markets, providing trading, clearing, and investment solutions for customers worldwide. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

Cboe Media Contacts

Cboe Analyst Contact

Angela Tu

Tim Cave

Kenneth Hill, CFA

+1-646-856-8734

+44 (0) 7593-506-719

+1-312-786-7559

atu@cboe.com

tcave@cboe.com

khill@cboe.com

CBOE-V

Cboe®, Cboe Global Markets®, Cboe Clear®, Cboe Futures Exchange®, CFE®, Cboe Volatility Index®, and VIX® are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. or its affiliates. Standard & Poor’s®, S&P®, SPX®, and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC, and have been licensed for use by Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Any products that have the S&P Index or Indexes as their underlying interest are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s or Cboe and neither Standard & Poor’s nor Cboe make any representations or recommendations concerning the advisability of investing in products that have S&P indexes as their underlying interests. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, futures or investments, or third-party products or services. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. is not affiliated with S&P. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities, futures, and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities or futures in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates make no warranty, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties as of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness or timeliness, the results to be obtained by recipients of the products and services described herein, or as to the ability of the indices referenced in this press release to track the performance of their respective securities, generally, or the performance of the indices referenced in this press release or any subset of their respective securities, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies, errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise the third-party indices referenced in this press release and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors in any of the indices referenced in this press release.

There are important risks associated with transacting in any of the Cboe Company products discussed here. Before engaging in any transactions in those products, it is important for market participants to carefully review the disclosures and disclaimers contained at: https://www.cboe.com/us_disclaimers/.

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all market participants. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person should review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (ODD), which is required to be provided to all such persons. Copies of the ODD are available from your broker or from The Options Clearing Corporation, 125 S. Franklin Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606.

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SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Technology

Danaher Announces Quarterly Dividend

Published

9 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share of its common stock, payable on July 31, 2026 to holders of record on June 26, 2026.

ABOUT DANAHER
Danaher is a leading global life sciences and diagnostics innovator, committed to accelerating the power of science and technology to improve human health. Through our connected ecosystem of industry-leading businesses, we work side by side with customers to solve many of their most complex scientific and clinical challenges—helping move innovations from discovery to delivery faster for patients who depend on them.

Powered by the Danaher Business System, our advanced science and technology and proven ability to innovate help enable faster, more accurate diagnoses and reduce the time, cost, and risk required to discover, develop, and deliver life-changing therapies. Through continuous improvement and operational excellence, our approximately 60,000 associates worldwide are focused on delivering lasting impact and improving quality of life around the world, while building a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow. Explore more at www.danaher.com.

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SOURCE Danaher Corporation