Current mining practices can be improved through effective policies and stakeholder involvement. A more sustainable extractive industry can supply key raw materials for renewable energy technologies and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this, diverse stakeholders must participate in governance at different levels.
Researchers have discovered that lunar soil can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuels, paving the way for sustainable space exploration. The team proposes an 'extraterrestrial photosynthesis' strategy using lunar soil to electrolyze water and produce desired products.
Researchers have identified over 2.4 million households in 49 countries as being below a certain economic threshold, based on the percentage of unlit settlements detected using nighttime light satellite images. The study found a clear association between increasing percentages of unlit communities and decreasing economic wellbeing levels.
Researchers propose a dual water and energy storage scheme to resolve the temporal mismatch between resources, reducing CO2 emissions while guaranteeing water supply. The scheme utilizes seasonal pumped hydroelectric systems to store water for irrigation during summer and hydropower generation in winter.
Researchers developed a sustainable jet fuel from agricultural waste that increases energy density and replaces aromatics, reducing soot emissions and contrails. The fuel's properties make it suitable for blending with conventional fuels to meet aviation industry demands.
Researchers have developed a sensor made of sapphire fibre that can withstand temperatures over 2000°C, enabling significant improvements in efficiency and emission reduction in aerospace and power generation. The technology has potential applications in space and fusion power industries.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have explored the physical properties of cycloalkanes, finding they may reduce condensation trail formation and soot emissions compared to current fuels. This could lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate climate change impacts on global security.
The University of the Basque Country is taking steps to cut its environmental and social footprint by analyzing its impact through life-cycle assessment and modeling. By identifying areas for improvement, such as reducing transportation emissions and extending computer lifespan, the university aims to reduce its impact by up to 30%.
Researchers at the University of Cologne and the University of Wuppertal have developed a tandem solar cell that achieves an unprecedented 24% efficiency, outperforming previous records. The innovative design combines organic and perovskite-based absorbers with an indium oxide interconnect to minimize losses.
A new study models the probability of renewable energy droughts in Texas, finding that grid operators may need backup energy sources due to variable wind and solar production. Researchers suggest increasing capacity or exploring alternative storage methods to avoid extended dry spells.
A new strain of algae has been identified that can produce green hydrogen gas via photosynthesis on an industrial scale. This breakthrough could accelerate the transition to environmentally friendly green hydrogen and reduce pollution. The researchers also plan to develop methods to increase production rates and reduce costs.
Researchers found that using indoor fans can increase the indoor temperature threshold before discomfort sets in by 3-4°C, reducing the need for air conditioners. The study also revealed a significant reduction in energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%.
Researchers propose a novel pathway to realizing hot carrier solar cells, which can exceed the typical efficiency limit on solar cells. The approach involves isolating hot carriers within higher energy valleys in semiconductors, reducing energy loss to heat.
The University of Surrey has developed a method to capture CO2 directly from the air and use dynamic catalysis to create carbon-negative methanol, which could offset the cost of direct air capture. The project aims to produce a valuable chemical that can help scale up direct air capture technology.
Researchers used machine learning to predict the most important factors underlying heavy metal pollution remediation in biochar-treated soils. Biochar nitrogen content and application rate were found to be the most crucial features in determining HM immobilization, with soil properties also playing a significant role.
Physicists have made a peculiar discovery in which energy moves from a colder to a hotter region, creating counterintuitive edge currents. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, shows that these currents are remarkably robust and can occur in topologically trivial systems.
Scientists from China have developed a bionic approach to improve wind turbine performance by combining features of a seagull's wing with an engineered flow control accessory. The combined flow control improves lift and delays stalling at high angles of attack, increasing the efficiency of wind energy turbines.
Researchers developed an optimizer tool to design and evaluate solar-powered adsorption cooling systems, achieving higher coefficient of performance with certain material combinations. The study focused on residential home cooling systems but aims to be extended to higher capacity systems.
A team of researchers has found that plastic waste-derived porous materials can adsorb CO2 from flue gas, reducing plastic pollution and emissions. The study suggests that these materials could be used in industrial-scale applications, making them a promising alternative to conventional CO2 capture technologies.
A team of researchers proposes converting discarded surgical masks into a burnable fuel through pyrolysis, yielding a carbon-rich oil with high heating value. The study suggests this method offers better environmental performance compared to conventional waste management approaches.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed tiny 'skyscrapers' for bacteria to thrive in, increasing energy extraction from sunlight by over an order of magnitude. This approach suggests that 'biohybrid' solar energy sources could be a key component in the zero-carbon energy mix.
Researchers developed Electric Truck Hydropower to harness the potential of steep mountain ranges, generating 1.2 PWh electricity per year, equivalent to 4% of global energy consumption. The technology uses existing road infrastructure and regenerative brakes to convert water into electricity.
Scientists in Saudi Arabia developed a solar-driven system that uses hydrogel to condense water from air while generating electricity. The system successfully grew spinach in a hot climate, producing over 2 liters of water and 1,519 watt-hours of electricity.
Researchers at Flinders University have developed an all-organic polymer battery with a cell voltage of 2.8V, which could replace traditional metal-based batteries for more environmentally friendly options. The new technology aims to create fully biodegradable batteries with high capacity and durability.
In the 1990s, Massachusetts activists drafted model legislation for community choice aggregation, which has been adopted by 1,800 communities in six states. The program allows cities and towns to purchase renewable energy, reducing reliance on utility companies.
Researchers at UPV/EHU propose using caesium cations to improve the cyclability of sodium-air batteries, increasing their energy density and range. By adding a caesium salt to the electrolyte, they were able to achieve over 90 charge/discharge cycles.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a hybrid device that combines living organisms with bio batteries to produce stored energy under light conditions. The technology, known as microbial electro photosynthesis, has the potential to power a wide range of products, including transportation fuels and cosmetics.
Researchers used AI to identify detrimental dams and reveal lost environmental benefits from existing 158 hydropower dams. The study considers six socio-environmental criteria, including river flow and energy production, to optimize dam selection across the entire Amazon basin.
Researchers demonstrate a two-terminal tandem solar cell with enhanced efficiency through spectrum splitting, achieving a 5-6% gain in absolute efficiency. The design uses planar and Lambertian spectral splitters to effectively distribute sunlight among the top and bottom cells.
A new computational tool, 'Amazon EcoVistas,' analyzes proposed dam projects collectively for their energy generation and environmental impacts. The tool identifies hydroelectric dam portfolios that meet energy production goals with the least environmental harm, taking into account five environmental criteria and social values.
Researchers at Cornell University have received over $7 million in federal grants to develop innovative clean energy technologies. The funds will support two projects: a wirelessly charged dynamic system for electric vehicles and the development of low-carbon construction materials from waste. These breakthroughs aim to reduce greenhou...
New research suggests nuclear power can provide low-cost energy and replace natural gas as a backup source, enabling faster decarbonization in countries with poor wind resources. The analysis found that nuclear is the cheapest way to eliminate all electricity-system carbon emissions nearly everywhere.
A new method to produce hydrogen from water has been discovered, using cobalt and manganese as catalysts. This breakthrough could lead to a cleaner and more sustainable hydrogen economy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The American Roentgen Ray Society has awarded two 2022 ARRS Scholarships to Sean Woolen and Bradley Allen, providing a total of $180,000 in funding for their radiological research projects. The scholarships aim to advance emerging scholars and prepare them for leadership positions.
Researchers say a new framework can help trigger positive tipping points to tackle the climate crisis, including the growth of plant-based diets and regenerative farming methods. The Breakthrough Agenda at COP26 signals a shift in thinking, aiming to tip economic sectors into a green state.
A new report identifies ten key facts about global land use and details opportunities for a more sustainable and equitable approach. The study emphasizes the importance of considering trade-offs and acknowledging the rights of marginalized groups in policymaking.
Researchers developed a novel coating material based on methylene blue dye to mitigate the polysulfide shuttling effect in lithium-sulfur batteries, improving their durability and electrochemical performance. This breakthrough could lead to the widespread adoption of sustainable energy storage systems.
Cornell University chemists have developed a class of nonprecious metal derivatives that can efficiently power cars and generate electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. The breakthrough could enable wider deployment of hydrogen fuel cells, replacing combustion engines and reducing waste.
A research team at PNNL has developed a system that converts waste carbon from sewage, food crops, and algae into fuels while removing impurities. The electrocatalytic oxidation fuel recovery system generates hydrogen to power its own operation, making it potentially carbon-neutral.
A new study by NYU Tandon professor Nikhil Gupta explores the recyclability of lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, highlighting the need for a circular economy approach. While lead acid batteries have a high recycling efficiency, lithium-ion batteries pose significant challenges due to their rapidly evolving chemistry and cell design.
A new study by University of Bath researchers suggests that installing solar panels on historic buildings like Bath Abbey could significantly reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. The proposed system would generate around 45 Mega-Watt hours per year, saving approximately 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Researchers propose a new way to store renewable energy by speculatively performing computations in large data centers when energy is abundant, and retrieving the results later. This approach offers better efficiency than traditional battery storage methods and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed a novel scheme that reduces energy consumption while improving traffic prediction accuracy by up to 40% compared to benchmark schemes. The scheme uses software defined network and edge computing to control the operation of base stations, ensuring both sustainability and performance.
Researchers have discovered how carbohydrates interact with lignin in plant biomass, revealing new information on the organization of lignin-carbohydrate interfaces. This discovery can help advance technology for using biomass as a renewable resource for energy and materials.
The study found that trace solvent additives enhance ordering and crystallization of polymer microstructure, increasing power conversion and photocurrent density by up to 3 times. This improvement helps form a network that efficiently transports photogenerated charges, increasing local photocurrents.
A joint project by Paderborn, Rostock, and Mainz universities aims to develop new iron compounds that can convert sunlight into chemically usable energy. The researchers hope to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable future.
A new online tool tracks e-bike purchase incentive programs in the US and Canada, providing a point of reference for future policy development. The tracker reveals that most programs set incentive levels fairly arbitrarily, with little thought given to their potential impact on specific groups or income brackets.
The NUS research team achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.6% in their perovskite/organic tandem solar cells, approaching that of conventional silicon solar cells. This breakthrough paves the way for flexible, light-weight, and low-cost photovoltaic cells suitable for various applications.
A Kyoto University-led team has created a novel hydrogen plant design that harnesses fully renewable resources to produce clean hydrogen with minimal associated CO2 emissions. The SABI-Hydrogen system uses solar heating and biomass gasification to produce hydrogen, resulting in an emission rate of only 1.04kg CO2/kg hydrogen produced.
The FUN-BioCROP model predicts effects of plant choice and agricultural management on soil carbon storage, slowing climate change. By using bioenergy from plants, less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, resulting in a more sustainable energy source.
The collaboration seeks to co-develop an efficient CO2 electrolyzer that can produce ethylene, a widely used chemical building block. Yushan Yan at UD will focus on making polymer membrane materials chemical resistant and strong for long-term durability.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a retrofitted commercial refrigeration container to keep COVID-19 vaccines at ultra-low temperatures during transport. They've also identified and improved the usability of data to accelerate innovation in the bioeconomy, and investigated piezoelectric materials for radiation-...
Researchers have created nanoparticles that can store hydrogen, reducing the need for pressurized tanks and cooling. The discovery could enable climate-friendly fuels and production methods for airplanes, ships, and steel.
Researchers at MIT developed a selective separation process using sulfidation to target rare metals like cobalt in lithium-ion batteries. The approach reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional liquid-based separation methods.
Researchers developed a material that automatically responds to changing temperatures, switching between heating and cooling. The glass can regulate both solar transmission and radiative cooling, reducing energy consumption up to 9.5% or ~330,000 kWh per year.
The University of Central Florida researchers have developed an alcohol-based power source for cars and other technology that uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. The ethanol fuel cell has achieved a maximum power density and operation time of over 5,900 hours, making it a promising alternat...
Researchers create new route for producing PCTA monomer using plant-based acrylate and acetaldehyde, achieving overall yield of 61%. The method also produces UNOXOL diol in high yield, reducing carbon footprint.
A new study reveals that disabled households in the European Union consume 10% less energy than other households while being 5% more likely to experience energy poverty. The research highlights the need for greater consideration of disabled people's needs in planning for sustainable energy policies.
Scientists from OIST and University of Cambridge discovered distinct types of defects in state-of-the-art perovskite thin films, which may hinder solar cell efficiency. The most detrimental defects were grain boundaries and polytypes, while lead iodide defects had a benign impact on performance.
Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have designed a system that uses hydrothermal biomass carbonisation and solar power to extract more energy from biomass. The system reduces the need for drying pre-treatment, making it more sustainable and efficient.