New Horizons of Science, Technology and Culture Vol. 7

The Role of Biogas in the Global Energy Transition: Production Pathways and Sustainable Applications

Moses Jeremiah Barasa Kabeyi — 2026-01-31

With the growing global demand for clean and renewable energy, biogas has a significant role to play in the global energy transition. Biogas is competitive, viable, and generally a sustainable energy resource due to an abundant supply of cheap feedstocks and availability of a wide range of biogas applications in heating, power generation, fuel, and raw materials for further processing and production of sustainable chemicals, including hydrogen, carbon dioxide and biofuels. Biogas is produced naturally from organic materials through the anaerobic digestion process. With huge biomass to biogas conversion potential and many feasible biogas to electricity conversion technologies, biogas plays an extremely important role in the energy transition as a renewable energy fuel resource and feedstock for industrial production of chemical fuels and renewable products. The capacity of biogas-based power has been growing rapidly for the past decade, with global biogas-based electricity generation capacity increasing from 65 GW in 2010 to 120 GW in 2019, representing a 90% growth. The main challenge to the use of biogas is unsteady production and quality variations, which can lead to interference in generation or biogas applications, hence lower reliability. This study presents the pathways for the use of biogas in the energy transition by application in power generation and the production of fuels. It is based on a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature and official reports covering biogas sources, production processes, and applications. The literature used in this study was published between 1932 and 2022 to give a clear view of the past and status of biogas technology and applications. Diesel engines, petrol or gasoline engines, turbines, microturbines, and Stirling engines oﬀer feasible options for biogas to electricity production as prime movers. Biogas fuel can be used in both spark ignition (petrol) and compression ignition engines (diesel) with varying degrees of modifications on conventional internal combustion engines. In internal combustion engines, the dual-fuel mode can be used with little or no modification compared to full engine conversion to gas engines, which may require major modifications. Biogas can also be used in fuel cells for direct conversion to electricity, raw material for hydrogen and transport fuel production, which is a significant pathway to sustainable energy development. Enriched biogas or biomethane can be containerised or injected into gas supply mains for use as renewable natural gas. Biogas can be used directly for cooking and lighting as well as for power generation and for the production of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels. Upgraded biogas/biomethane, which can also be used to process methanol fuel. Compressed biogas (CBG) and liquid biogas (LBG) can be reversibly made from biomethane for various direct and indirect applications as fuels for transport and power generation. Biogas can be used in processes like combined heat and power generation from biogas (CHP), trigeneration, and compression to Bio-CNG and bio-LPG for cleaned biogas/biomethane. Fuels are manufactured from biogas by cleaning and purification before reforming to syngas, and partial oxidation to produce methanol, which can be used to make gasoline. Syngas is used in the production of alcohols, jet fuels, diesel, and gasoline through the Fischer-Tropsch process. Development and adoption of efficient conversion technologies and equipment are a key strategy for wider adoption and use of biogas in the future energy transition to green and low-carbon sources. The study finally concluded that biogas to electricity and biofuel conversion provide sustainable pathways in the global energy transition and realisation of the Paris climate and emission targets.

Landschaphilia: A Western Perspective of the Origins of Human Delight in Landscape Beauty

Andrew Lothian — 2026-01-31

Landscape preferences provide a means for quantifying a person’s judgement of the aesthetic qualities and are based primarily on the landscape as perceived by sight, although this may be supplemented by sounds and even smells detected by one’s olfactory system. Landscape preference is undoubtedly not simply a function of some innate preference. Experience clearly has a profound influence on human perception and preference. Only a few studies have commented on the multifaceted origins of landscape preferences. This chapter identifies the various influences of Western aesthetic preferences of landscapes in answer to the question, why do humans find landscapes attractive? A four-level model of influences is proposed, based on the innate or evolutionary influences applicable to all humanity, through the cultural and the societal, to the individual. The study is confined to Western perspectives of landscape aesthetics. At the innate level are landscape theories that postulate the reasons why humans find landscapes attractive, the philosophical underpinnings of human delight in landscapes, and the Gestalt influence on preferences. The cultural influence comprises the legend of Arcadia and the Golden Age, classicism, teleology, landscape painting, and the emergence of the sublime, the beautiful, the picturesque, and Romanticism. At the societal level are the artistic pursuits of landscape painting and the development of parks and gardens. Also at the societal level is Western society’s attitude to mountains, which changed radically in the 17^th century. Individuals are influenced by psychoanalytical pressures on the subconscious, by unconscious experiences in infancy, such as a human’s preference for water, for which the paper offers a novel explanation (prenatal amniotic fluid imprint), and by the influence of neuroaesthetics, which analyses how the brain responds to aesthetic objects. Finally, research on landscape preferences over 50 years provides insights into the influence of landscape components, reflecting the influence of the innate, cultural, and societal factors. The combined realms of influence of each of these factors are hypothesised to explain human responses to landscapes. These offer potentially fruitful areas for research.

Deployment of 5G Technology for Sustainable Precision Agriculture in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State

Felix Ayegba Sani — 2026-01-31

The integration of 5G technology into smart and sustainable agriculture has the potential to revolutionise agricultural productivity and enhance food security in the Ibaji Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State, Nigeria. Food insecurity and malnutrition continue in the region because of outdated farming methods. These make food production susceptible to unpredictable rainfall, limited access to modern agricultural technologies, and unprofitable yields. Although 5G-enabled precision agriculture has been widely explored, only a few studies integrate 5G deployment with structured security threat analysis frameworks, such as STRIDE, particularly in smallholder farming contexts. This study assessed the potential of 5G-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for real-time tracking and automated control of resource (input) optimisation to improve farm resource (input) management and profitability. Using a mixed-method approach that included agricultural field surveys of local farmers and simulations of 5G sensors as agricultural technology for the Ibaji region in Kogi State, Nigeria, the Ibaji precision agriculture system was designed. The study analyses two primary use cases: Sensor-Based Monitoring and Automated Resource Management. For Field Surveys, 50 local farmers were surveyed to understand the primary agricultural problems and to assist in the validation of sensor placement. Additionally, a simulation-based system design was developed using Python to model 5G-connected sensors and actuators for real-time monitoring of soil moisture, nutrients, and pH levels. Results revealed that 5G technology for resource control and farm practice optimisation led to improved agricultural yields by 20% and resource management by 15%, demonstrating the potential of modern technology to alleviate food security challenges and resource poverty in the region. This study concludes that a basic 5G-enabled sensing and actuation stack, secured with minimal but critical controls, can improve yields and reduce input use in a resource-constrained smallholder setting such as Ibaji.

A Sustainable and Critical Approach to the Production and Road Transport of Biodiesel

Igor Silva Guimaraes — 2026-01-31

The global demand for balanced energy transition has prompted oil refineries to seek alternatives to fossil fuels. In this context, using biomass as feedstock for biofuel production within the refinery itself becomes relevant. In Brazil, soybean oil is the primary raw material, and it is transported to refineries via tank trucks. This study critically assesses this transportation method, highlighting its impacts and proposing mitigation measures that contribute to social and environmental sustainability. Effective management of external truck cleaning is one such measure that is essential to preventing contamination along the route from the vegetable oil producer to the refinery. To this end, a washing system for tank trucks and an effluent treatment system have been developed that integrate the necessary operations and equipment for the proper processing and disposal of contaminants. The recovered oil is reused in fuel production; the sludge is dehydrated and sent to landfills; and the treated water is reused in the washing system, thereby reducing water consumption. The systems were designed to meet environmental sustainability indicators, such as the conscious use of water and energy, the rational use of inputs, the reduction of liquid effluent and solid waste emissions, and compliance with environmental regulations. Additionally, research was conducted on accidents related to the transportation of vegetable oil and biodiesel, revealing associated risks and emphasising the importance of adhering to environmental and traffic regulations.

Employee Retention in AI-Enabled Hospitality Organisations: An Explanatory Study Using the Technology Acceptance Model

Mahasweta Ghosh — 2026-01-31

Employee retention remains a persistent challenge in the hospitality industry due to high labour intensity, emotional labour demands, and volatile employment conditions. At the same time, hospitality organisations are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled human resource (HR) systems to improve efficiency and decision-making. While prior research emphasises the role of HR practices in shaping employee retention, it largely overlooks how employees’ acceptance of technology conditions the effectiveness of these practices in AI-enabled organisational contexts. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and insights from established HR and motivation theories, this study examines the relationships between core HR practices, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and employees’ intention to stay in AI-enabled hospitality organisations. Using an explanatory research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to employees of four- and five-star hotels in Kolkata, India. A total of 193 valid responses were analysed using reliability analysis, correlation analysis, hierarchical regression, and mediation–moderation testing with the PROCESS macro. The results indicate that compensation and benefits have a significant direct effect on intention to stay, while training and development, career development, and performance appraisal do not exhibit significant direct effects. Importantly, perceived usefulness mediates the relationship between HR practices and intention to stay, whereas perceived ease of use moderates the effectiveness of HR practices by shaping employees’ acceptance of AI-enabled HR systems.

The findings extend the Technology Acceptance Model beyond technology adoption to explain employee retention and offer a socio-technical perspective on HR effectiveness in AI-enabled hospitality contexts. The study provides actionable insights for hospitality managers seeking to leverage AI-enabled HR systems to strengthen employee retention.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Salvia freyniana Bornm. Ex Freyn (Endemic Species) and the Significance of its Major Constituents

BELGİN COŞGE ŞENKAL — 2026-01-31

Lamiaceae, one of the world's richest plant families in terms of diversity, encompasses a significant portion of plant taxa endemic to the Mediterranean region. Salvia L., among the largest and most widespread genera of this family, comprises approximately 1.000 species in Central America, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia. In the Flora of Türkiye, the Salvia genus is represented by 100 species and 114 taxa, with a very high endemism rate of 50.88%. Taxa belonging to the Salvia genus have a very wide range of uses, primarily in the medical, pharmaceutical, food, perfumery, cosmetic, and cleaning product industries. Generally herbaceous, semi-shrub, or shrubby perennial plants, Salvia species rarely exhibit biennial or annual life forms and are characteristically strongly aromatic. These aromatic properties are due to the essential oils contained within the plants. Salvia freyniana Bornm. Ex Freyn, a species endemic to the Flora of Türkiye, is a perennial plant that can grow to a height of 15–35 cm and has clusters of lilac-blue flowers. The species flowers in May–June and is distributed at altitudes between 900 and 1200 m. The composition of the essential oil obtained from the flowering parts of S. freyniana collected from its natural distribution areas during full flowering was determined by GC-MS analysis. According to the analysis results, among the 30 components identified in essential oil, camphor (16.6%), eucalyptol (15.9%), and spathulenol (11.1%) stood out as the main components. When the component groups were evaluated, it was determined that oxygenated sesquiterpenes constituted the most dominant fraction and represent the main component group of S. freyniana essential oil. Camphor has particular importance due to its versatile potential for use in medicinal, cosmetic, and industrial fields. Eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) is a monoterpene widely used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Spathulenol, on the other hand, is an important biologically active component known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative effects. Consequently, S. freyniana essential oil, with its high camphor, eucalyptol, and spathulenol content, reveals that this endemic species is a valuable natural resource from a pharmaceutical and industrial perspective.

Algorithmic Society and the Future of Sociology: Epistemic, Theoretical and Global South Interventions

Sameena Z Mir — 2026-01-31

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic infrastructures has created a profound epistemic turning point for sociology. This chapter provides a theoretical and critical conceptual analysis, highlighting how algorithmic systems restructure knowledge production, social interaction, rationality, and governance. Drawing upon sociological, philosophical, decolonial, and media theoretical frameworks, the chapter argues that sociology must undergo epistemic realignment to sustain intellectual authority and conceptual relevance in the twenty-first century. Selective empirical illustrations, such as India’s Aadhaar system and African language AI initiatives, demonstrate how Global South interventions challenge Eurocentric and techno-centric approaches, producing alternative epistemologies and social imaginaries.