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Chonnam National University researchers investigate how biodiesel feedstocks and production pathways affect their life cycle sustainability

The study provides a practical framework for choosing biodiesel feedstocks by weighing climate impact and air pollution, offering solutions for climate change mitigation. Waste-derived feedstocks demonstrated lower GHG emissions, while plant-based options had varying pollution levels, highlighting the importance of considering air-poll...

A new kind of polymer with two faces and a twist

A team from the University of Osaka has created a new family of chiral semiconducting polymers that can generate highly spin-polarized electric currents. The polymers' unique molecular structure enhances the material's ability to selectively transmit electrons with a particular spin orientation, paving the way for future energy-efficie...

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

CEMDI-PAIMS Symposium advances materials discovery through Computational materials science, AI, data, experimental insights and international collaboration

The CEMDI-PAIMS Symposium brought together experts from materials science, AI, data science and engineering to accelerate the discovery of next-generation materials. Key findings include advances in computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and data-driven approaches for energy and environmental applications.

How scandium can improve the durability of sodium-ion battery electrodes

Researchers discovered that scandium doping and coating improve the durability and performance of sodium-ion batteries by stabilizing the crystal structure and suppressing side reactions. The study found that doping improves bulk stability while coating enhances surface stability, leading to improved capacity retention and long-term cy...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2026

Local policies drive global emissions: The unintended carbon cost of "livestock-free zones"

Local policies in China's 'Livestock-Free Zones' successfully reduced local carbon emissions, but this achievement was overshadowed by a significantly larger 'policy leakage' effect. A study found that for every unit of carbon reduced locally, approximately 3.14 units of carbon emissions were displaced to neighboring regions.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2026

Wealthier and more populated metropolitan areas respond more strongly to early drought news by saving water

This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalWater Resources Research·DateJul 12, 2026

Hanyang University researchers explore perovskite solar cells for space, underwater, and other extreme environments

Researchers aim to develop reliable power generation in harsh environments, including space and underwater settings, using perovskite solar cells. Advances in material composition and device engineering can overcome instability issues, enabling long-term reliability and performance.

SourceHanyang University Research Strategy Planning Team·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 30, 2026

Rising emissions, depleting water and vanishing land—UN scientists: AI is threatening natural resources for billions

The global data centers powering artificial intelligence are projected to consume nearly triple the combined annual electricity use of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria by 2030. AI's environmental cost is being systematically mismeasured, with its water footprint equaling the basic annual domestic water needs of all 1.3 billion people ...

NUS CDE researchers develop safer all-solid-state sodium battery with low-cost 2D material

Researchers have overcome key safety and durability barriers in sodium-ion batteries by using a simple additive of graphitic carbon nitride. The additive promotes flexible, disordered zones where sodium ions move more freely and reduces polarisation, improving battery efficiency and stability. This breakthrough opens a scalable pathway...

SourceNational University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2026

EU rules could make fossil-free aviation fuels unnecessarily expensive and energy-intensive

The EU's plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels risk steering development towards more expensive and energy-intensive pathways. A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the current regulatory framework favours combustion-based alternatives over gasification, leading to increased costs and energy use.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalFuel·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 14, 2026

UC Irvine team identifies where renewable hydrogen delivers the greatest social benefit

A study by UC Irvine researchers found that renewable electrolytic hydrogen produces its greatest societal value when applied to steelmaking, transoceanic shipping, and long-haul heavy-duty trucking. The study suggests that these sectors can benefit from the transition to hydrogen, often offsetting additional costs.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJoule·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2026

Smarter search for fuel-cell catalysts using machine learning

Researchers have developed a new computational workflow combining generative AI with atomistic simulations to identify promising platinum alloy catalyst structures for hydrogen fuel cells. The method produces high-performing candidates from several material combinations, addressing a longstanding challenge in catalyst design.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

Profit alone is a poor measure of success, study shows companies can look efficient while harming the planet

A new study from the University of Surrey shows that firms celebrated for strong financial performance may actually be inefficient when environmental impact is included. The research developed a new way to measure sustainable corporate efficiency, combining traditional financial metrics with environmental data.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2026

The rush for critical minerals echoes oil extraction injustice as harms fall on world's most vulnerable, UN scientists warn

A new report by the UN University finds that critical minerals extraction is causing severe environmental and health crises in vulnerable communities, while benefits accumulate mainly in wealthy nations. The investigation highlights intense water requirements, contaminated water, lost livelihoods and serious health consequences.

Self-cleaning fuel cells? Researchers reveal steam-powered fix for ‘sulfur poisoning’

University of Utah researchers have discovered a steam-enabled self-cleaning mechanism that dramatically improves sulfur tolerance in solid oxide fuel cell anodes. The addition of rhodium leads to the formation of bimetallic nanoparticles that actively resist sulfur poisoning and autonomously regenerate under steam exposure.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2026

Chonnam National University researchers propose innovative voltage-loop control for power factor correction

Researchers from Chonnam National University propose a novel delay-compensated control strategy that eliminates current sensors in boost PFC converters. This simplifies circuitry, reduces hardware failure points, and enhances power quality, leading to smaller, more efficient, and cost-effective power adapters.

SourceChonnam National University, The Research Information Management Team, Office of Research Promotion·JournalIEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2025

Unveiling how sodium-ion batteries can charge faster than lithium-ion ones

Researchers found that sodium-ion batteries using hard carbon negative electrodes can reach faster charging rates than lithium-ion batteries, thanks to the pore-filling mechanism. This process is limited by the efficiency of ion aggregation within the electrode's nanopores, which requires less energy for sodium insertion.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025