Developments and News in clean energy: Wind, solar and batteries grow despite economic challenges

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techxplore.com

First self-charging supercapacitors developed: Storage device capable of storing solar energy efficiently

A joint research effort has developed a high-performance self-charging energy storage device capable of efficiently storing solar energy. The research team has dramatically improved the performance of existing supercapacitor devices by utilizing transition metal-based electrode materials and...
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UK, Germany electricity cleanest on record in 2024

Britain and Germany produced their cleanest electricity on record last year, with renewables reaching record highs, according to data released Thursday.
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Emerging field of 'energy meteorology' sheds light on solar farms' desert impact

Rooftop solar panels are popular in many parts of the world, but power is generated much more cheaply and efficiently in utility-scale solar farms. Often, though, these large-scale solar farms are deployed in desert habitats, which contain native flora and fauna that are highly sensitive to...
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phys.org

From CO₂ to acetaldehyde: New copper catalyst offers green alternative to fossil-fuel-based processes

Acetaldehyde is a vital chemical used in making everything from perfumes to plastics. Today, its production largely relies on ethylene, a petrochemical. But increasing environmental concerns are pushing the chemical industry to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, so scientists have been...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

From e-waste to gold: A pathway to CO₂ sustainability

A Cornell-led research team has developed a method for extracting gold from electronics waste, then using the recovered precious metal as a catalyst for converting carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, to organic materials.
phys.org phys.org

Carbon
phys.org

Scientists reveal overlooked ocean processes crucial for carbon storage

A new study has unveiled the key mechanisms that preserve organic carbon in the ocean—a poorly understood but vital process that influences the Earth's climate, carbon cycles, and formation of fossil fuels.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Carbon in our bodies likely left galaxy and came back on cosmic 'conveyer belt'

Life on Earth could not exist without carbon. But carbon itself could not exist without stars. Nearly all elements except hydrogen and helium—including carbon, oxygen and iron—only exist because they were forged in stellar furnaces and later flung into the cosmos when their stars died. In an...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Is it possible to have an eco-friendly firework display?

Many of us will send off the old year and start 2025 with a bang. New Year's celebrations will vary in size from small back-garden firework displays to large-scale professional shows. Last year, London's main event released 12,000 fireworks—just one of many annual events held worldwide to...
phys.org phys.org

Really?
phys.org

Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals'

Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using "forever chemicals" long after learning about serious health risks associated with them.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

How 'sad' bananas could help tackle food waste

Bananas are a sociable fruit. They thrive in bunches, bound by a unifying stalk which joins them happily together in curvy yellow brightness.
phys.org phys.org
 
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CO2 to protein

Oil can perhaps become food
https://www.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/pywzo8/is_it_possible_to_convert_crude_oil_into_edible
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/pywzo8/is_it_possible_to_convert_crude_oil_into_edible/

Green topics
phys.org

Why grow plants in space? They can improve how we produce food and medicine on Earth

Sometime in the 2040s, humans may well reach a new frontier—Mars. To get there, we'll need sustainable sources of food, medicines and materials.
phys.org phys.org
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-high-supercapacitor-upcycled-bottles.html PLASTIC
 
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CO2 from flue gases
phys.org

Electrochemical process recycles CO₂ from flue gases with just 2% concentration

Design and process control are the be-all and end-all when it comes to reducing CO2 from flue gases or the atmosphere. In order to protect the climate, the aim is to recover CO2 from combustion processes for valuable materials. This is challenging because there are other gases in flue gases...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Reaction pathways of carbon dioxide in supercritical water revealed

A research team has made significant discoveries regarding the complex reaction mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in supercritical water. These findings are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms of CO₂ mineralization and sequestration in nature and engineering, as well as the deep...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

New tool aids organizations in mapping carbon reduction strategies

A novel tool that can help organizations identify viable pathways to net zero emissions has been launched by Imperial College London.
phys.org phys.org

On windfarms
phys.org

Offshore wind farms could cause significant ecosystem, economic and human health risks

The materials used to protect wind turbines from corrosion leach into the surrounding water, which could pose risks to ecosystems, seafood safety and human health, new research from the University of Portsmouth has found.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Electricity from offshore wind is more promising than ever—except for the politics

A new study co-authored by a USC Price professor published in Energies finds that generating electricity with wind turbines off the coast of California is an even more attractive option than it was at the beginning of the decade. That was until the Trump Administration put a temporary halt this...
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US falling behind on wind power, think tank warns

The United States is falling behind the European Union in the rollout of wind power and risks being overtaken by China, a think tank said Thursday, days after Trump announced a crackdown on new wind projects.
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How to choose the optimal location for wind turbines in the North Sea

Thousands of wind turbines will be added to the North Sea in the next decades. Environmental scientist Chen Li identified the most beneficial areas for their construction, focusing on material use, carbon footprint, and impact on the natural environment. His paper was published in Environmental...
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Green tech

Chemistry
techxplore.com

A self-assembled bilayer could enhance the thermal stability of perovskite solar cells

Over the past few years, photovoltaic (PV) technologies have become increasingly widespread, contributing to the ongoing quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While most solar cells on the market today are made of silicon, other materials are emerging as promising alternatives for developing...
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Next-gen AI device utilizes ion-controlled spin wave interference in magnetic materials

A research team from NIMS and the Japan Fine Ceramics Center (JFCC) has developed a next-generation AI device—a hardware component for AI systems—that incorporates an iono-magnonic reservoir. This reservoir controls spin waves (collective excitations of electron spins in magnetic materials), ion...
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Tech
 
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Green aviation?
techxplore.com

Interactive tool helps find most efficient carbon-neutral aircraft for your flight

OK, we admit, we're a long way from a carbon-free grid—but when we have one, what's the most efficient way to use that energy to fly planes? This question is explored by an interactive tool built by a team of University of Michigan researchers.
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New way to store hydrogen using lignin jet fuel discovered

An international team of scientists has discovered a way to store and release volatile hydrogen using lignin-based jet fuel that could open new pathways for sustainable energy production.
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'Sustainable' aviation fuel and other myths about green airport expansion debunked

Environmentalists and locals have resisted a third runway at London's Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, for more than two decades. Today, their efforts took a major setback.
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techxplore.com

Sky-high prices? Estimating the cost of climate-neutral aviation in the future

Aviation currently contributes to about 4% of the global warming that has been observed. As demand for flights is likely to continue to increase, researchers and governments are looking for solutions to make aviation climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest.
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Team makes sustainable aviation fuel additive from recycled polystyrene

A new study overcomes a key challenge to switching commercial aircraft in the U.S. from their near-total reliance on fossil fuels to more sustainable aviation fuels. The study details a cost-effective method for producing ethylbenzene—an additive that improves the functional characteristics of...
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phys.org

Hybrid cascade process selectively converts CO₂ into methanol

In a hybrid cascade, climate-damaging CO2 is turned back into valuable methanol. An international research team has shown how this works.
phys.org phys.org

cargo sail ships

solar/wind
techxplore.com

Hydrogen annealing approach sets new efficiency record for kesterite solar cells

Photovoltaics (PVs), devices that can convert sunlight into electrical power, are becoming increasingly widespread and more people worldwide are now relying on them to generate electricity. Renewable energy engineers worldwide are working to identify materials and processes that could help to...
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phys.org

Floating solar can increase greenhouse gas emissions on small ponds, study finds

While floating solar—the emerging practice of putting solar panels on bodies of water—is promising in its efficiency and its potential to spare agricultural and conservation lands, a new experiment finds environmental trade-offs.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Shielding flexible solar modules from harsh environmental conditions: The critical role of barrier films

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) present a revolutionary leap in renewable energy technology with their high efficiency, lightweight, and flexible nature. But their commercial applications are often hindered by their sensitivity to environmental factors like heat and humidity.
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11 years after a celebrated opening, massive solar plant faces a bleak future in the Mojave Desert

What was once the world's largest solar power plant of its type appears headed for closure just 11 years after opening, under pressure from cheaper green energy sources. Meanwhile, environmentalists continue to blame the Mojave Desert plant for killing thousands of birds and tortoises.
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techxplore.com

Explainable AI techniques can improve the trustworthiness of wind power forecasts

By applying techniques from explainable artificial intelligence, engineers can improve users' confidence in forecasts generated by artificial intelligence models. This approach was recently tested on wind power generation by a team that includes experts from EPFL.
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China built out record amount of wind and solar power in 2024

China raced ahead building renewable energy last year, installing more wind and solar power than ever before and continuing to leave all other countries in the dust.
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CO2 eaters and green advances
phys.org

Smart carbon dioxide removal yields economic and environmental benefits

Last year, Earth exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming above preindustrial times, a threshold beyond which wildfires, droughts, floods, and other climate impacts are expected to escalate in frequency, intensity, and lethality. To cap global warming at 1.5 C and avert that scenario, the nearly...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Chemical looping turns environmental waste into fuel

Turning environmental waste into useful chemical resources could solve many of the inevitable challenges of our growing amounts of discarded plastics, paper and food waste, according to new research.
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phys.org

The secret life of catalysts: Scientists reveal unanticipated forms during nitrate reduction

Scientists have made an advancement in the field of electrocatalysis. Their latest research, published in the journal Nature Materials, sheds light on how catalysts can stay in unanticipated forms during the process of nitrate reduction.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Hybrid model predicts best tech for slashing industrial emissions in the chemical industry

Separating and purifying closely related mixtures of molecules can be some of the most energy-intensive processes in the chemical industry, and contributes to its globally significant carbon footprint. In many cases, traditional industrial separation protocols could be replaced using the latest...
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phys.org

Researchers achieve high-rate and stable ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate

Ammonia (NH3) is traditionally produced through the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process which converts nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) into NH3 at high temperatures (400–500℃) and pressures (10–30 MPa). This process consumes 1%–2% of global energy and contributes about 1% of global CO2 emissions.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Trimetallic synergy and defects: A catalyst for climate action

A study appearing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences introduces a trimetallic catalyst—including nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) nanoparticles supported on defective ceria (CeO2)—that achieves unprecedented performance in CO2 reduction.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Engineers develop algae-based adsorbents as new weapon against harmful blooms

As harmful algal blooms (HABs) continue to spread across the globe, urgent research is needed to address this growing threat. Studies in Italy, China, and the Atlantic basin have shown that many water bodies have high nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios, making phosphorus a key factor that drives...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Green phosphonate chemistry: Review explores its potential

Phosphorus is a critical raw material that should be recycled more efficiently. There is also a need for more environmentally friendly production methods for organic phosphorus compounds.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

New research leads to viable solution for polycotton textile waste recycling

In a paper published in Nature Communications, researchers at the Industrial Sustainable Chemistry group of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) present a solution to the challenging problem of recycling polycotton textile waste.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Fermented clothing? How the biofilm on kombucha can be turned into green textiles

If you've ever made kombucha, you will be familiar with the term SCOBY—a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. It's impossible to miss—it's the floating biofilm on top of your delicious drink.
phys.org phys.org

Cleaner chromium
phys.org

Organic material can convert toxic heavy metal to harmless form

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have discovered that a special form of charcoal is highly effective at absorbing toxic chromium and transforming it into its safer form.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

New method for sustainable lithium extraction could reduce emissions by 75%

With an electric current and hydrogen peroxide, researchers at Penn State have developed a more efficient way to extract lithium, a key component in the batteries used in electric vehicles and portable electric devices, directly from ore found in the common mineral spodumene. The process could...
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electronics

clean water
 
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In the news
techxplore.com

Unique hybrid device generates electricity and stores thermal energy efficiently and sustainably

An international research team led by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—BarcelonaTech (UPC) has created a hybrid device that combines, for the first time ever, molecular solar thermal energy storage with silicon-based photovoltaic energy. It achieves a record energy storage efficiency of...
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Batteries won't cut it—we need solar thermal technology to get us through the night

Australia's transition to renewables is gathering speed, but there's a looming problem with storage. We will need much more long-duration storage to get us through the night, once coal and fossil gas exit the system.
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geohacks
 
The latest
phys.org

Clean cooking fuels have great potential to reduce income inequality, researchers find

Imagine a world where access to clean energy not only powers homes but also lifts millions out of poverty and reduces inequality.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Tiny water-based reactors could help pharmaceutical industry avoid toxic solvents

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for performing chemical reactions using water instead of toxic solvents. The scientists created microscopic reactors capable of driving light-powered chemical processes by designing metal complex surfactants (MeCSs) that self-assemble...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Next-gen solar cells now fully recyclable with water-based method

In a study published in Nature, researchers at Linköping University have developed a method to recycle all parts of a solar cell repeatedly without environmentally hazardous solvents. The recycled solar cell has the same efficiency as the original one. The solar cell is made of perovskite and...
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Prototype turns car and helicopter exhaust into thermoelectric energy

Combustion engines, the engines in gas-powered cars, only use a quarter of the fuel's potential energy while the rest is lost as heat through exhaust.
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Oops
phys.org

Did cuts to shipping emissions spur more global warming?

Could a sudden drop in pollution from cargo vessels criss-crossing global shipping lanes be inadvertently making the world hotter?
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Solar homes shine in summer, struggle in winter blackouts

As winter storms and summer heat waves increasingly stress the nation's power grids, Stevens researchers have developed a new way to identify the homes most vulnerable to blackouts—without even visiting them.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Nature-friendly solar farms create bird havens in agricultural areas

Birds across Eastern England's arable landscapes are thriving on solar farms managed with nature in mind.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Wind power development can affect entire raptor communities, not just individuals

Collisions with wind turbines are a documented threat to the lives of individual raptors. However, wind development also impacts the structure of nesting raptor communities, a discovery that could impact approaches to raptor conservation in the future.
phys.org phys.org

Good news
phys.org

New England's salt marshes store 10 million cars' worth of carbon—and add another 15,000 cars' worth every year

In the race to combat global climate change, much attention has been given to natural carbon sinks: those primarily terrestrial areas of the globe that absorb and sequester more carbon than they release. While scientists have long known that coastal salt marshes are just such a sink for "blue...
phys.org phys.org
 
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US federal government is attempting to rehire NNSA staff who were fired last Thursday:
www.bbc.com

US goverment seeks to rehire recently fired nuclear workers

It is having problems contacting people who were fired in Trump's blitz to shrink the federal workforce.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
The US government is trying to bring back nuclear safety employees it fired on Thursday, but is struggling to let them know they should return to work, NBC News has reported.

The National Nuclear Security Administration workers were among hundreds of employees in the energy department who received termination letters.

An email obtained by NBC said the letters for some NNSA employees "are being rescinded, but we do not have a good way to get in touch with those personnel".
Click to expand...
I remember a similar firing-rehiring incident when Musk took over Twitter.
<edit> Link to original NBC story:
www.nbcnews.com

Trump administration wants to un-fire nuclear safety workers but can’t figure out how to reach them

The workers, whose agency oversees the nation’s nuclear stockpile, had been fired on Thursday and lost access to their federal government email accounts.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
 
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Rick Perry all over again.

Remember Bobby Jindal and “something called volcano monitoring?”

There is a new lubricant powder called COK-47 that forms a tribofilm--so good for humid conditions of the Global South.

The big news this week is phys.org's article:

"Thermophotovoltaic device turns waste heat into electricity while defying a physical limit."

Some kind of way around Planck's Law.

Look for possible retractions soon.

More findings
phys.org

High-entropy MOF enables efficient deuterium separation for clean energy

A research team affiliated with UNIST has successfully developed a new porous material for the efficient separation of deuterium, a primary fuel for nuclear fusion. The team, jointly led by Professors Wonyoung Cho and Hyunchul Oh in the Department of Chemistry at UNIST, published the results in...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

The promise of green iron, steel and ammonia is keeping the green hydrogen dream alive

Hydrogen was once sold as a universal climate fix—a clean, green wonder fuel for cars, homes, power grids and even global export. But reality has cooled that buzz.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Ultrasounds could help process edible flowers as food ingredients

Many of the flowers lining store shelves for Valentine's Day have been gifted at romantic dinners. But what happens to the flowers that went unsold?
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Enhanced cathode materials could expand electric vehicle driving range

A research team has advanced cathode materials, a key component of electric vehicle batteries. Their findings could usher in a new chapter in the development of high-capacity high-safety lithium-ion battery materials. Their paper is published in the journal ACS Nano.
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phys.org

Mechanochemistry strikes again: Solvent-free method simplifies synthesis of organolithium molecules

Organolithium compounds, molecules containing a carbon–lithium bond, are excellent precursors for building new carbon–carbon and other carbon–heteroatom bonds. They are widely utilized in both academia and industry for their applications in polymer synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and general organic...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Perovskite solar cells: Thermal stresses are key to long-term stability

Perovskite solar cells are highly efficient and low cost in production. However, they still lack stability over the decades under real weather conditions. An international research collaboration led by Prof. Antonio Abate has now published a perspective on this topic in the journal Nature...
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phys.org

Catalyst system enhances CO₂ conversion efficiency for clean energy

As the severity of climate change and carbon emissions becomes a global concern, technologies to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into resources such as chemical fuels and compounds are urgently needed. Dr. Dahee Park's research team from the Nano Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Enhanced geothermal systems promise wider access to clean energy

Historically, access to geothermal energy has hinged on real estate's famously three most important factors: location, location, and location. Because conventional geothermal power plants require hot, permeable rocks and plenty of underground fluid, use of the technology has been limited mostly...
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phys.org

Nickel superconductor works above -233°C threshold at normal pressure

A team of engineers and physicists at Southern University of Science and Technology, in China, has created a nickel-based material that behaves as a superconductor above the -233°C (40 K) threshold under ambient pressure. In their study published in Nature, the researchers synthesized thin films...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Novel carbon-based materials can remove hazardous 'forever chemicals' in water

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a diverse group of synthetic chemicals, are commonly used in numerous products such as semiconductors, fire-extinguishing foams, heat-resistant, and non-stick cookware. PFAS possess remarkable resistance to heat, oil, grease, and water that...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Chemists find greener path to making ethylene oxide, a key industrial chemical

Scientists have discovered a potentially greener way to produce a crucial industrial chemical used to make many everyday products, from plastics and textiles to antifreeze and disinfectants, according to a study published in Science and co-authored by Tulane University chemical engineer Matthew...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Discovery of high-spin manganese centers sheds light on photosynthesis

In a small manganese oxide cluster, teams from HZB and HU Berlin have discovered a particularly exciting compound: two high-spin manganese centers in two very different oxidation states. This complex is the simplest model of a catalyst that occurs as a slightly larger cluster in natural...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Sodium-ion batteries face greater safety hazards due to sodium clusters, study finds

A new study led by the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified significant safety risks in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), especially compared to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).
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phys.org

'Fog harvesting' could yield water for drinking and agriculture in the world's driest regions

With less annual rainfall than 1 mm per year, Chile's Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world. The main water source of cities in the region are underground rock layers that contain water-filled pore spaces which last recharged between 17,000 and 10,000 years ago.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Two distinct superconducting states found in Bernal bilayer graphene challenge current models

Superconductivity is a widely sought after material property, which entails an electrical resistance of zero below a specific critical temperature. So far, it has been observed in various materials, including recently in so-called multilayer graphene allotropes (i.e., materials that consist of...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Hydrophobic surface coating strategy addresses CO₂ electroreduction stability challenges

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemical products via the electrochemical CO2 conversion reaction could be highly advantageous. This conversion process could help to make good use of excess CO2 in the air collected by carbon capture solutions, thus potentially contributing...
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techxplore.com

High-performance sodium-ion cathode paves the way for lithium-ion battery alternative

For decades, scientists have sought ways to counter our dependence on lithium-ion batteries. These traditional, rechargeable batteries energize today's most ubiquitous consumer electronics—from laptops to cell phones to electric cars. But raw lithium is expensive and is often sourced through...
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phys.org

Mountain ranges could be hidden treasure troves of natural hydrogen, plate tectonic modeling finds

The successful development of sustainable georesources for the energy transition is a key challenge for humankind in the 21st century. Hydrogen gas (H2) has great potential to replace current fossil fuels while simultaneously eliminating the associated emission of CO2 and other pollutants.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Innovative strategy enhances energy storage in antiferroelectric materials

A collaborative study published in Nature reveals an innovative strategy to enhance energy storage in antiferroelectric materials.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Waste-based perovskite solar cell achieves 21.39% energy efficiency

A team of materials scientists and solar engineers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, working with a colleague from Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, has developed a perovskite solar cell using a biomass-based polymer. In their paper published in the journal Advanced Functional...
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techxplore.com

New process gets common rocks to trap carbon rapidly and cheaply

Stanford University chemists have developed a practical, low-cost way to permanently remove atmospheric carbon dioxide, the main driver of global warming and climate change.
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techxplore.com

Reducing carbon emissions from residential heating: A pathway forward

In the race to reduce climate-warming carbon emissions, the buildings sector is falling behind. While carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the U.S. electric power sector dropped by 34% between 2005 and 2021, emissions in the building sector declined by only 18% in that same time period. Moreover...
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techxplore.com

Leaf vein-inspired photothermal actuator balances speed, strength and stability

A recent breakthrough in photothermal actuator design has been achieved by a research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Prof. Tian Xingyou and Prof. Zhang Xian. The team developed a novel superstructure liquid metal/low expansion...
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phys.org

Electronic fine-tuning unlocks superior hydrogen catalysis performance

As the world moves toward sustainable energy, hydrogen will likely play an invaluable role as a clean and versatile fuel. Yet, adoption of hydrogen technologies hinges on overcoming key challenges in electrocatalysis, where costly and scarce platinum-group metals have long been the industry...
phys.org phys.org
 
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Something I saw today that surprised me:
"Water movement on surfaces makes more electric charge than expected."

Might this go both ways?

"Novel technique manipulates water waves to precisely control floating objects."

"Scientists discover smart way to generate energy with plastic beads."

See below
 
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The maintenance costs of any device that works with moving parts end up eating into the profitability of the invention. And now that ideological subsidies are going to be eliminated, we should only consider solar energy conversion systems and long-term storage systems with minimal losses. In my opinion, the future lies in deciphering the mysteries of photosynthesis (which has several quantum levels that scientists have not yet been able to access) and finding a way to give it industrial application to produce food and energy at a minimum price.

That is going to bother many people who live on scarcity, ecological protests, hunger and wars, but it only needs to work once in the laboratory, and no one will be able to stop it.
 
Green aviation fuel and more

Oddities
https://phys.org/news/2025-03-peatlands-carbon-capture-potential-temperatures.html

In the news
techxplore.com

Low-cost method can remove CO₂ from air using cold temperatures and common materials

Researchers at Georgia Tech's School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) have developed a promising approach for removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere to help mitigate global warming.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Scientists use lightning to make ammonia out of thin air

University of Sydney researchers have harnessed human-made lightning to develop a more efficient method of generating ammonia—one of the world's most important chemicals. Ammonia is also the main ingredient of fertilizers that account for almost half of all global food production.
phys.org phys.org


hackaday.com

Solar Power, Logically

We’ve all seen the ads. Some offer “free” solar panels. Others promise nearly free energy if you just purchase a solar — well, solar system doesn’t sound right —…
hackaday.com hackaday.com
hackaday.com

From The Ashes: Coal Ash May Offer Rich Source Of Rare Earth Elements

For most of history, the world got along fine without the rare earth elements. We knew they existed, we knew they weren’t really all that rare, and we really didn’t have much use for th…
hackaday.com hackaday.com

Atomics

phys.org

Analysis identifies optimal microbes for sustainable chemical production

In silico analysis of five industrial microorganisms identifies optimal strains and metabolic engineering strategies for producing 235 valuable chemicals.
phys.org phys.org
 
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On shipping
techxplore.com

Burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers found to be the best available option for bulk maritime shipping

When the International Maritime Organization enacted a mandatory cap on the sulfur content of marine fuels in 2020, with an eye toward reducing harmful environmental and health impacts, it left shipping companies with several main options.
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An interesting find
phys.org

Common catalyst works by cycling between two different forms, upending a long-held supposition

The process of catalysis—in which a material speeds up a chemical reaction—is crucial to the production of many of the chemicals used in our everyday lives. But even though these catalytic processes are widespread, researchers often lack a clear understanding of exactly how they work.
phys.org phys.org

sensors for the nuclear industry
phys.org

Real-time monitoring of advanced nuclear fuel now possible with new test bed

To meet energy demands and reestablish the nation's energy dominance, U.S. companies are developing several types of advanced reactors.
phys.org phys.org

other green news
techxplore.com

Single-atom catalysts transform hydrogenation, improving food and fuel production

A chemical reaction that's vital to a range of commercial and industrial goods may soon be initiated more effectively and less expensively thanks to a collaboration that included Oregon State University College of Engineering researchers.
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phys.org

Catalytic system turns biomass waste to renewable chemical stock

Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden, in collaboration with scientists from Finland, Vietnam, India, and Italy, have developed a catalytic system to convert lignin structures into highly valuable chemicals. This innovative technology offers promising solutions to pressing environmental and...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Purification method removes PFAS from water while transforming waste into high-value graphene

Rice University researchers have developed an innovative solution to a pressing environmental challenge: removing and destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called "forever chemicals."
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Frontier molecular orbital theory aids single-atom catalyst design

Single-atom catalysts (SACs), with their excellent metal atom utilization and unique physicochemical properties, hold promise for broad applications, especially in heterogeneous catalysis and energy conversions. Essentially, the activity and stability of SACs are governed by the pair of...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

With affordable materials, researchers pull carbon directly from the air using changes in humidity

Researchers at Northwestern University have expanded the potential of carbon capture technology that plucks CO2 directly from the air by demonstrating that there are multiple suitable and abundant materials that can facilitate direct air capture.
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phys.org

Storing CO₂ beneath the German North Sea: Interim report

Captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) could be stored deep beneath the German North Sea. However, due to limited storage capacity and potential environmental risks, this option should only be used for residual emissions that remain unavoidable—even under ambitious climate policies.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Marine microbes reveal new gene clusters for hydrogen production

A genomic study of hydrogen-producing bacteria has revealed entirely new gene clusters capable of producing large volumes of hydrogen.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Strain 'trick' improves perovskite solar cells' efficiency

Researchers at EPFL have found a way to dramatically reduce energy loss and boost efficiency in perovskite solar cells by incorporating rubidium using lattice strain—a slight deformation in the atomic structure that helps keep rubidium in place.
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techxplore.com

Susceptible organic cations promote stability and efficiency in perovskite solar cells

Unlike conventional silicon-based solar cells, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are not only thin and lightweight, but can also be seamlessly applied to curved surfaces, like building facades and vehicle roofs. What's more, they can be easily manufactured at room temperature using a solution...
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phys.org

How much microplastic is generated during mountain biking?

Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have, for the first time, provided concrete figures on the abrasion of mountain bike tires in off-road conditions. Their findings, published in Science of The Total Environment contribute to a better understanding of the global microplastic cycle.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Electrochemical method supports nitrogen circular economy

Imagine a world where industrial waste isn't just reduced, it's turned into something useful. This kind of circular economy is already in the works for carbon. Now, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a promising pathway to convert harmful nitric oxide, a key...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Scientists create 'fungi tiles' with elephant skin texture to cool buildings

A team of scientists led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed "fungi tiles" that could one day help to bring the heat down in buildings without consuming energy.
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phys.org

Giving up on photosynthesis: How a borrowed bacterial gene allows some marine diatoms to live on a seaweed diet

A group of diatom species belonging to the Nitzschia genus gave up on photosynthesis and now get their carbon straight from their environment, thanks to a bacterial gene picked up by an ancestor. Gregory Jedd of Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore, and colleagues report these findings in...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Dead trees keep surprisingly large amounts of carbon out of atmosphere

Living trees absorb carbon, aiding climate change mitigation. But what role do dead trees play in carbon storage? UVM researchers found that large, downed trees in streams tie up tremendous stores of carbon—and this pool of carbon storage is growing over time. Moreover, large trees in streamside...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Study reveals chromium's role in molten salt reactor corrosion

High temperatures and ionizing radiation create extremely corrosive environments inside a nuclear reactor. To design long-lasting reactors, scientists must understand how radiation-induced chemical reactions impact structural materials.
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phys.org

First atomic-level video of catalytic reaction reveals hidden pathways

A Northwestern University-led international team of scientists has, for the first time, directly observed catalysis in-action at the atomic level.
phys.org phys.org

off limits?
phys.org

New modeling tool could help protect wildlife from offshore developments

Scientists have developed a new resource to better protect seabirds from the impacts of offshore wind farms. The innovative modeling tool has the potential to save wildlife, while ensuring the effective and sustainable development of renewable energy sources.
phys.org phys.org
 
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Green energy's latest

phys.org

Rain barrel basics: Conserving water but not mosquito habitats

As people look to reduce their water use for environmental and ecological reasons, rain barrels have gained popularity for catching rainwater that can be stored and used for irrigation. These green infrastructure tools can conserve hundreds of gallons of water per year and reduce stormwater...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Using liquid air for grid-scale energy storage

As the world moves to reduce carbon emissions, solar and wind power will play an increasing role in electricity grids. But those renewable sources only generate electricity when it's sunny or windy. So to ensure a reliable power grid—one that can deliver electricity 24/7—it's crucial to have a...
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phys.org

Unappreciated Rhabdophane is the forgotten host of rich rare-earth elements

Prodigious siblings can be annoying. All too often, they steal the spotlight and cast behind them an infuriating shadow of achievement and high expectation. The same is true in mineralogy, where some minerals have long existed in the shadow of their illustrious kin.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

New technology suppresses temperature rise during hydrogen charging, enabling safer, more efficient refueling

The world's first technology to fundamentally prevent temperature rise during high-pressure hydrogen charging has been developed. This innovation significantly shortens refueling time and reduces the cost of establishing and operating hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
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techxplore.com

Protective film on perovskite solar cells offers 1,000-hour durability in extreme heat and humidity

A new perovskite solar cell (PSC) demonstrates remarkable resilience even in high heat conditions, thanks to an innovative protective film. The research team suggests that these findings represent a significant step toward commercialization by addressing thermal stability issues.
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techxplore.com

Ultralight, flexible solar cells set new efficiency record at 23.64%

The Korea Institute of Energy Research has successfully developed ultra-lightweight flexible perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells and achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.64%, which is the world's highest efficiency of the flexible perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells reported to date. The...
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phys.org

New AI tool set to speed quest for advanced superconductors

Using artificial intelligence shortens the time to identify complex quantum phases in materials from months to minutes, finds a new study published in Newton. The breakthrough could significantly speed up research into quantum materials, particularly low-dimensional superconductors.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Flexible ammonia sensor detects gas with ultra-sensitivity and low cost

A research team has successfully developed the world's first ammonia (NH3) gas sensor based on a copper bromide (CuBr) film that can be fabricated through a simple solution process at low temperatures. The findings are published online in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Novel membrane design mimics protein channels for efficient energy harvesting

A research team from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators, has introduced a novel membrane design that mimics biological protein channels to enhance proton transport for efficient energy harvesting. The study...
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techxplore.com

Sunlight and seawater lead to low-cost green hydrogen and clean water

A Cornell-led collaboration has hit the trifecta of sustainability technology: The group developed a low-cost method to produce carbon-free "green" hydrogen via solar-powered electrolysis of seawater. A happy byproduct of the process? Potable water.
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phys.org

Cell membrane biology inspires design of new saltwater filters

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, King's College London and the University of Fribourg have developed polymer water channels, similar to commonly used plastics, that can draw salt out of water, inspired by the body's own water filtering system.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Scandium-doped TiO₂ boosts photocatalytic water splitting efficiency

Photocatalytic water splitting is a clean energy technology that uses sunlight to split water into oxygen and hydrogen in order to produce green hydrogen—a clean fuel—without relying on fossil fuels. The process is driven by a photocatalyst.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Pt nano-catalyst with graphene pockets enhances fuel cell durability and efficiency

The manufacturing and deployment of hybrid and electric vehicles is on the rise, contributing to ongoing efforts to decarbonize the transport industry. While cars and smaller vehicles can be powered using lithium batteries, electrifying heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and large buses, has so...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

First atomic-level video of catalytic reaction reveals hidden pathways

A Northwestern University-led international team of scientists has, for the first time, directly observed catalysis in-action at the atomic level.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Platinum-based alloy catalyst can enhance methanol fuel cell efficiency and durability

Replacing traditional fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy sources is expected to solve environmental issues and alleviate the energy crisis. As a novel energy conversion device, fuel cells are capable of efficiently transforming chemical energy into electrical energy.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Tracking photogenerated charge transfer in electrolytes

Photocatalysis involves three fundamental steps: light absorption, charge separation and transfer, and chemical reactions. These reactions occur at the solid-liquid interface where the complex charged environment influences reaction kinetics. Most research has focused on the charge transfer...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Bimetallene catalyst enables energy-efficient biomass conversion

The sustainable production of fuels and value-added chemicals from biomass is a cornerstone of the future bioeconomy. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a platform molecule derived from lignocellulosic biomass, holds immense promise for replacing petroleum-derived building blocks. Its selective...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Metal-free alternative: Rethinking coupling methods for more sustainable organic synthesis

Coupling reactions are among the most transformative tools in organic chemistry, enabling the formation of crucial chemical bonds in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced materials. Since their introduction, they have been one of the backbones of modern organic synthesis. However, these...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

3D Raman imaging reveals CO₂ reduction inside living cells

Researchers from National Taiwan University and collaborators have developed a novel way to observe and monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion into carbon monoxide (CO) inside living cells, using an advanced optical method called surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Light-activated catalyst enables chiral synthesis with higher yields and less waste

Chemists and chemical engineers at California Institute of Technology, working with a pair of colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh, have developed a new light-activated catalyst that can be used for photoinduced deracemization of tertiary and secondary alkyl halides. In their paper...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Amorphization alters nanocatalyst properties: Research shows the impact of structural disorder

A research team studied how iridium and palladium nanoparticles can change the properties of catalysts with minor degradation and transition to an amorphous state. The team includes Skoltech and Khakassian State University researchers led by Skoltech Professor Alexander Kvashnin, a Doctor of...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Atomic-scale mechanism of water-induced perovskite degradation revealed

A research team has successfully observed and identified the water-induced degradation mechanism of perovskite, which is a next-generation optoelectronic material, in real time at the atomic scale. Published in Matter, this study presents key strategies for enhancing the stability of perovskite...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Study unveils contributions to superconductivity in the vortex lattice structure of 2H-NbSe₂

Superconductivity is a quantum property of materials entailing an electrical resistance of zero at very low temperatures. In some materials, multiple electronic bands are known to contribute to the emergence of superconductivity, leading to multiple superconducting energy gaps. This phenomenon...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Molecular-level technique reveals a single catalytic grain do work in real time

A new way to watch catalytic reactions happen at the molecular level in real time could lead to better fundamental understanding and planning of the important reactions used in countless manufacturing processes every day.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Scientists make water-repellent replacement for toxic 'forever chemicals'

A team of international scientists has invented a substitute for synthetic chemicals, called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances), which are widely used in everyday products despite being hazardous to health and the environment.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Turning pollution into fuel with record-breaking carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide conversion rates

What if we could transform harmful pollution into a helpful energy source? As we strive towards carbon neutrality, researching energy innovations that reduce pollution is crucial.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Computer simulations suggest CO₂ can be stored underground indefinitely

We have to stop emitting carbon dioxide (CO2) if we want to save the climate—there is no doubt about that. But that alone will not be enough. In addition, it will also be necessary to capture CO2 that is already present in the atmosphere, and store it permanently, for example, by pumping it deep...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

CO₂ removal and storage: Which options are feasible and desirable?

As climate change increases, so does the pressure on humanity to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere—possibly with the help of the oceans. But which of the proposed marine CO2 removal and storage options should be used?
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

UK government urged to tackle inequality in 'low-carbon tech' like solar panels and electric cars

The UK government needs to go beyond offering subsidies for low-carbon technologies (LCTs) like electric cars and solar panels for energy and heating, if it is to meet its net-zero targets by 2050, a new report from the University of Sheffield, published in the journal Energy Economics, suggests.
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Natural oil seeps
phys.org

Natural oil seeps: Dissolved organic matter may persist in deep sea for thousands of years

What is the role of dissolved organic matter in the deep sea? In a study relating to this question, researchers from the Universities of Bremen and Oldenburg have investigated the composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in detail. Their samples were obtained during an expedition to the...
phys.org phys.org
 
Green energy today
hackaday.com

How Supercritical CO2 Working Fluid Can Increase Power Plant Efficiency

Using steam to produce electricity or perform work via steam turbines has been a thing for a very long time. Today it is still exceedingly common to use steam in this manner, with said steam genera…
hackaday.com hackaday.com
phys.org

AI-powered advances unlock copper-zeolite catalysts for combating nitrogen oxide emissions

Increasingly stricter regulations on emissions from lean-burn engines, such as the Euro 7 standard, are approaching. This requires the development of catalytic materials that can reduce the toxic nitrogen oxides efficiently at low temperatures. Researchers at the Department of Physics at...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

All-organic solar cells achieve record efficiency by doubling previous performance

As global efforts to combat climate change continue, demand for solar energy is growing. However, since the current most-used silicon-based solar panels include a variety of hazardous substances, their disposal or recycling causes environmental impact and incurs substantial costs.
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phys.org

Precision-engineered surface can enhance silicon solar cell performance

Converting sunlight into electricity is the task of photovoltaic solar cells, but nearly half the light that reaches a flat silicon solar cell surface is lost to reflection. While traditional antireflective coatings help, they only work within a narrow range of light frequency and incidence...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Electrosynthesis of urea from flue gas achieves high efficiency with no ammonia byproducts

Urea, with the formula CO(NH2)2, is a chemical compound that is widely used in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and various industries. Conventionally, this compound is produced via a two-step process that entails the synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen (N₂) and its...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Assessing the potential of hydrogen and carbon dioxide networks for the future of European energy systems

Over the past decades, many countries worldwide have been trying to gradually transform their energy systems, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2) transport networks, infrastructures designed to...
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techxplore.com

Inspired by laminate: 'Three-ply' microstructure gives perovskite solar cells a powerful efficiency lift

A collaborative research team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an innovative laminated interface microstructure that enhances the stability and photoelectric conversion efficiency of inverted perovskite...
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phys.org

New catalyst allows asymmetric radical reactions using an engineered ligand

A team of chemists at Southern University of Science and Technology, working with a colleague from Zhejiang University, both in China, has engineered a metal–ligand complex that incorporates a reactive pocket to pre-organize prochiral substrates. Their paper is published in the journal Science.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Electricity-generating bacteria's survival strategy could reshape biotech and energy systems

A team led by Rice University bioscientist Caroline Ajo-Franklin has discovered how certain bacteria breathe by generating electricity, using a natural process that pushes electrons into their surroundings instead of breathing on oxygen.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Artificial membrane channels enable more efficient rare earth element extraction

A more efficient and environmentally friendly approach to extracting rare earth elements that power everything from electric vehicle batteries to smartphones could increase domestic supply and decrease reliance on costly imports.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Nanostructured catalyst produces green hydrogen and glycerate with improved energy efficiency

A research group led by Prof. Chen Liang at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has designed a high-entropy electrocatalyst that achieves efficient production of hydrogen and valuable glycerol chemicals. The study was published...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Catalytic technology removes toxic chemicals from microchip manufacturing wastewater

Semiconductor manufacturing is a fastidiously clean business. Components are washed multiple times to remove impurities, drawing on vast amounts of purified water and other chemicals.
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phys.org

Restoring oil wells back to nature with moss

In what could represent a milestone in ecological restoration, researchers have implemented a method capable of restoring peatlands at tens of thousands of oil and gas exploration sites in western Canada.
phys.org phys.org

Chemistry
phys.org

Scientists develop new light-powered enzymes to make chemistry cleaner and greener

Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) have demonstrated how genetically engineered enzymes can harness visible light to drive highly selective chemical reactions.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

A smarter way to make sulfones: Using molecular oxygen and a functional catalyst

Sulfones, a class of sulfur-containing compounds, are chemically derived from the selective oxidation of sulfides. While these compounds form the core of the pharmaceuticals, solvents and polymer industries, their chemical synthesis is often hindered by high reaction temperatures and extreme...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Sulfur-capped carbon nanobelts promise novel applications

RIKEN chemists have hit upon a fast and easy way to combine so-called nanobelts of carbon with sulfur-containing functional groups. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Iron-generated rust binds and removes selenium, offering safer water treatment options

Selenium is a critical element, particularly for the thyroid and immune system, but too little or too much can be harmful to both humans and wildlife. A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has made strides in removing selenium contamination from water, which could ensure...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Feat of 'dung-gineering' turns cow manure into one of world's most used materials

A new technique to extract tiny cellulose strands from cow dung and turn them into manufacturing-grade cellulose, currently used to make everything from surgical masks to food packaging, has been developed by researchers from UCL, Edinburgh Napier University and Teesside University.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

New roadmap advances catalytic solutions to destroy 'forever chemicals'

A team of researchers from Rice University, Carnegie Mellon University and other leading global institutions has outlined a bold new roadmap for harnessing heterogeneous catalysis to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called "forever chemicals" that have contaminated...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Soundwave recycling technology turns 'forever chemicals' into renewable resources

A new technique that uses soundwaves to separate materials for recycling could help prevent potentially harmful chemicals leaching into the environment.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Bomb residue study opens the door for stronger evidence in criminal cases

Scientists have for the first time provided insight into how bomb residue transfers to the hands of suspects, which could lead to stronger evidence in court.
phys.org phys.org

Fire and water
phys.org

Using fire to produce nanoparticles could revolutionize various industries

Fire is arguably humanity's earliest discovery. It was pivotal in advancing society—underpinning many of humanity's most transformative inventions, from cooking and forging weapons to generating energy and enabling car combustion engines.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Smart spongy device captures water from thin air

Engineers from Australia and China have invented a sponge-like device that captures water from thin air and then releases it in a cup using the sun's energy, even in low humidity where other technologies such as fog harvesting and radiative cooling have struggled.
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Let's not get too much into peoples business
 
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Mystery cracked
phys.org

Scientists crack decades-old puzzle in carbon dioxide-to-fuel conversion

New research has revealed the fundamental mechanisms that limit the performance of copper catalysts—critical components in artificial photosynthesis that transform carbon dioxide and water into valuable fuels and chemicals.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Molecular engineering approach could boost hydrogen evolution reaction activity by up to 50 times in alkaline media

Electrolyzers are devices that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity and via a process known as electrolysis. In the future, these devices could help to produce hydrogen gas from water, which is valuable for a wide range of applications and could also be used to power fuel...
phys.org phys.org

Wind power woes
techxplore.com

New method quickly assesses underwater landslide risk for offshore turbines

Heriot-Watt researchers have developed an advanced simulation tool that accurately predicts underwater landslides caused by offshore wind turbines.
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techxplore.com

The cost of keeping wind turbines out of sight

A new study coordinated by scientists at Forschungszentrum Jülich and published in Nature Communications highlights how the visibility of renewable energy installations—such as wind turbines and solar panels—has an impact on their level of public acceptance and the costs of the energy transition...
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For the birds
phys.org

Helping birds and floating solar energy coexist

From a small California winery to a large-scale energy project in China, floating photovoltaics—or "floatovoltaics"—are gaining in popularity. Commonly installed over artificial water bodies, from irrigation ponds and reservoirs to wastewater treatment plants, floating solar projects can...
phys.org phys.org

Green energy headlines
phys.org

Advancing electrocatalyst discovery through the lens of data science

The integration of data science into electrocatalysis has significantly advanced the discovery of high-performance catalysts for sustainable energy applications.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Iron carbide: A novel heterogeneous catalyst for deoxygenative C-C coupling of alcohols

C coupling reactions have received great research interest. In particular, the deoxygenative homocoupling of benzyl alcohols is regarded as one of the most promising routes to produce bibenzyls. Various homogeneous catalytic systems based on transition metal complexes (e.g., Ni, Re, Mo) have...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Oxygen-stable biocatalyst from a thermophilic bacterium could boost hydrogen production

In the absence of air, microorganisms produce hydrogen using an enzyme called [FeFe]-hydrogenase, one of the most efficient hydrogen-producing biocatalysts known and a promising tool for green hydrogen energy. However, these enzymes are rapidly destroyed when exposed to air, which has so far...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Urine-powered electrolysis systems offer energy-efficient green hydrogen production

Researchers have developed two unique energy-efficient and cost-effective systems that use urea found in urine and wastewater to generate hydrogen.
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techxplore.com

Next-generation membrane cuts toluene crossover to boost hydrogen storage performance

A Korean research team has developed a new proton exchange membrane (PEM) that significantly enhances the performance of electrochemical hydrogen storage systems. The work was published as a cover article in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
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techxplore.com

A hot topic: How temperature increase drives energy loss in fuel cells

By splitting water molecules, fuel cells can turn electricity into hydrogen fuel. Running in the opposite direction, they consume hydrogen fuel to cleanly power multiple sectors. Typically, heat is a key ingredient for achieving high energy conversion efficiencies that can beat out...
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techxplore.com

How to reduce global CO₂ emissions from industry

Global emissions of carbon dioxide from industry can be reduced by 5%. But that requires companies and policy makers to take a holistic approach to energy efficiency and energy management and not solely focus on technological development. This is the conclusion of researchers, including those...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Data-driven methods improve supplier selection in oil and gas industry

In a sector as complex and capital-intensive as oil and gas, the decision-making process surrounding supplier selection is pivotal to operational success and long-term competitiveness.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Bacterium produces 'organic dishwashing liquid' to degrade oil

The marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis feeds on oil, multiplying rapidly in the wake of oil spills, and thereby accelerating the elimination of pollution, in many cases. It does this by producing an "organic dishwashing liquid" which it uses to attach itself to oil droplets.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Tool predicts impact of wildfire smoke on solar power generation

From habitats to property to livelihoods, wildfires destroy everything in their path. But there is another, less-acknowledged, casualty: sunlight and the electrical grid that depends on it. Smoke from wildfires can cover large swaths of land, including solar farms, and significantly reduces...
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phys.org

German satellite measures CO₂ and NO₂ simultaneously from power plant emissions for the first time

A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz and Heidelberg University has, for the first time, used the German environmental satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) to simultaneously detect the two key air pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Global study tracks air pollution and CO₂ emissions across thousands of cities worldwide

In a sweeping new study of more than 13,000 urban areas worldwide, researchers have mapped air pollution levels and carbon dioxide emissions, providing comprehensive global analysis of urban environmental quality.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Satellite-powered 30-meter map exposes Nanchang's CO₂ emissions

Researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a novel method for mapping carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi province in eastern China. This study provides a clearer picture of the...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Paper sensors and smartphone app monitor personal smoke exposure

An inexpensive paper sensor along with a smartphone-based reader developed by a Washington State University-led team can rapidly provide information on a person's personal smoke exposure during wildfire season.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Most heat pumps are not optimally configured, large field study finds

Researchers from ETH Zurich have carried out the largest field study to date, to find out whether heat pumps are running efficiently. When looked at in operation, it turns out that these units are often not optimally configured. Monitoring systems and legal standards could provide a remedy
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phys.org

Study of Turkish gold mine landslide highlights need for future monitoring

A new analysis of a fatal landslide that occurred on 13 February 2024 at the Çöpler Gold Mine in Turkey reveals that the site of the landslide had been slowly moving for at least four years prior to the failure.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Artificial oxygenation of coastal waters shows promise but risks long-term ineffectiveness

Coastal waters around the world are increasingly losing oxygen, with dramatic consequences for both ecosystems and the people who depend on them. The Baltic Sea is a well-known example: with the consequences of spreading hypoxic or anoxic zones evident in fish kills, the decline of spawning...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Fatty acids as solvents: New method enables extracting silver from electronic waste

A new technique enables the use of fatty acids—for example, those found in cooking oil from fast-food restaurants—to dissolve and separate silver. The process requires light and diluted hydrogen peroxide. The technique makes it possible to secure the supply of silver and reduce the burden on the...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Controlling contaminants inside nanopores holds promise for desalination, carbon dioxide storage and porous catalysts

Natural and engineered systems have a whole world of chemistry inside their tiny pores—known as nanopores—that changes depending on the chemical functional groups inside.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Sunlight-powered system mimics plants to power carbon capture

Current methods of capturing and releasing carbon are expensive and so energy-intensive they often require, counterproductively, the use of fossil fuels. Taking inspiration from plants, Cornell researchers have assembled a chemical process that can power carbon capture with an energy source...
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phys.org

Sponge-like pellets show promise for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial sources

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial processes is a necessary step to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the severe impacts of climate change. A new report from the University of Nottingham explains that sponge-like pellets may hold the key to preventing CO₂ from...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Durable catalyst boosts efficiency of high-temperature CO₂ conversion

We've all heard that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions need urgent solutions, but what if we could turn this greenhouse gas into useful chemicals or fuels? Electrochemical CO2 conversion—the process of transforming carbon dioxide into valuable products—is a promising path toward greener energy and...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Treating wastewater with alkaline minerals can improve CO₂ removal and storage

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies use a wide range of techniques to capture CO2 from the air and store it durably, offering a frontier solution for counteracting the increasing levels of the greenhouse gas in our environment. Increasing the alkalinity of wastewater by treating it with...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Designing the future of clean energy: 2D Janus heterobilayers lead the way

What if there were an efficient method to produce a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels using the power of sunlight? A significant discovery by researchers at Tohoku University and the University of Science, Vietnam National University—Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) could...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Upgraded perovskite design sets solar cells on path to stability

In solar science, a little structural harmony goes a long way. By finding the atomic equivalent of a perfect handshake between two types of perovskite—a class of crystalline materials prized for their ability to convert sunlight into electricity—researchers at Cornell have built solar cells that...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
techxplore.com

Novel zinc-ion battery design promotes safe, scalable industrial energy storage

The present century has witnessed a proactive shift toward more sustainable forms of energy, including renewable resources such as solar power, wind, nuclear energy, and geothermal energy. These technologies naturally require robust energy storage systems for future usage. In recent years...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Designing enzymes from scratch: New workflow paves way for more powerful and environmentally benign chemistry

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara, UCSF and the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new workflow for designing enzymes from scratch, paving the way toward more efficient, powerful and environmentally benign chemistry. The new method allows designers to combine a variety of desirable...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Record-large pore molecular crystals: A leap toward clean energy storage

In our study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, our team from The University of Hong Kong and Northwestern University, led by the late Nobel Laureate Professor Fraser Stoddart, developed RP-H200, a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) with the largest pores in its class.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Understanding carbon traps: Physical probing of a promising material shows exactly how it locks CO₂ into place

As industries seek innovative solutions for carbon capture, scientists have turned to advanced materials that efficiently trap and store carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial emissions.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

User-friendly programming language helps spot hidden pollutants in massive chemical datasets

Biologists and chemists have a new programming language to uncover previously unknown environmental pollutants at breakneck speed—without requiring them to code. By making it easier to search massive chemical datasets, the tool has already identified toxic compounds hidden in plain sight.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Optimized enzymes promote nitrogen-nitrogen bonds to generate bioactive compounds

Microorganisms generate all sorts of materials that could serve as potential agents for combating bacteria and fungi. An international research team has identified and optimized enzymes that can specifically generate a certain functional group of these natural substances, in turn expanding the...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Advances in ceramic electrochemical cells promise more reliable hydrogen production and clean energy storage

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma have made significant advances in a promising technology for efficient energy conversion and chemical processing. Two recent studies involving protonic ceramic electrochemical cells, called PCECs, address significant challenges in electrochemical...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Highly reactive copper catalyst enables labeling of biologically active compounds

In a recent issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the research group of Prof. Dr. Johannes Teichert (Chemnitz University of Technology, Organic Chemistry) discloses the results of a joint research effort together with research partners from the working group of Prof. Dr. Fabian...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Switchable singlet fission: pH triggers molecules to split or emit light for sensors

An international team of researchers has successfully controlled the flow of energy in a molecule with the help of its pH value. The results of the study, led by Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), could contribute to the development of new sensors for medical diagnostics...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

New class of SrHfSe₃ chalcogenide perovskite solar cells with diverse HTMs may make more efficient solar tech

The photovoltaic industry has witnessed a remarkable breakthrough with the advent of lead halide perovskite solar cells (LHPSCs), which have achieved outstanding power conversion efficiencies (PCEs); 25% in single-junction and 29% in monolithic tandem configurations. Despite this progress...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Transparent coating can prevent growth of algae on underwater solar cells

DTU researchers have developed an important coating for underwater drones and solar cell platforms. The coating will not adorn the drones in different colors, but rather act as a self-polishing layer that keeps algae and other biofouling away from the drones' built-in solar cells when they are...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Machine learning reveals new hydrogenation reaction mechanism for superhydride

Superhydrides are materials that can store significantly more hydrogen than conventional hydrides and present a highly promising option for applications such as hydrogen storage and superconducting materials used in maglev trains and quantum computing. However, their synthesis requires extremely...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

From CO₂ to methane: Scientists discover how nickel nanoparticle shape and size control conversion

Every day, tons of CO₂ are released into the atmosphere, but what if we could transform it using clean energy? This is the question explored in a recent Politecnico di Milano study, which was featured on the cover of the journal ACS Catalysis. The research focuses on a process that transforms...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Using a novel X-ray technique, researchers find more durable form of copper capable of splitting water

Copper has many uses—in electrical wires, plumbing and even coins. With its abundance and relatively low price tag, copper has also long been used as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions—notably water and carbon dioxide electrolysis, where copper serves as an electrode and catalyst for...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

A fresh new way to produce freshwater: Sonicated carbon nanotube catalysts

Water is one of the most precious resources on the planet. Freshwater is vital for humans, animals, and plants—but it can become contaminated from overflowing stormwater and surface water. We are already starting to feel the squeeze on our tight water supply, so we can't afford to waste a single...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Study shows making hydrogen with soda cans and seawater is scalable and sustainable

Hydrogen has the potential to be a climate-friendly fuel since it doesn't release carbon dioxide when used as an energy source. Currently, however, most methods for producing hydrogen involve fossil fuels, making hydrogen less of a "green" fuel over its entire life cycle.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
techxplore.com

Green hydrogen from Africa much more costly than previously assumed

To meet Europe's demand for green hydrogen, governments and the private sector have high hopes for production in Africa. A study led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and published in Nature Energy has now shown that the financing costs for production facilities in African countries...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Iron from coal and steel industries alters North Pacific ecosystem, study reveals

Along with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, iron is essential for the growth of microscopic phytoplankton in the ocean. However, a new study led by oceanographers at the University of Hawaii'i (UH) at Mānoa revealed that iron released from industrial processes, such as coal combustion and...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Intelligent sensors cut energy use by enabling more efficient decision-making

Your home's thermostat relies on a sensor to determine when to switch the heat or air conditioning on or off. These wireless sensors are at the core of the so-called "Internet of Things," enabling smart devices to collect and share data.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Switchable catalytic nanointerfaces can extend hydrogen production system lifespan

A research team at CiQUS (University of Santiago de Compostela) has developed a new catalytic material that can be switched on and off at will—a breakthrough that could significantly extend the lifetime of hydrogen production systems and make the process more efficient and sustainable.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

How seaweed is a powerful, yet surprising, climate solution

Picture a place at the center of a global seaweed revolution. I'll bet the small English seaside town of Paignton in south Devon is not what comes to mind. A decade ago, I moved from the edge of Dartmoor to the coast. It was about a simple change in work-life balance, but what followed was more...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Can kelp forests help tackle climate change?

Countries around the world are increasingly turning to nature to help alleviate the impacts of climate change. Forests, grasslands and wetlands are already considered as "natural climate solutions." Now, some scientists are asking: could kelp forests be part of the solution too?
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Healing the ozone hole helps the Southern Ocean take up carbon, study reveals

New research suggests that the negative effects of the ozone hole on the carbon uptake of the Southern Ocean are reversible, but only if greenhouse gas emissions rapidly decrease.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

The goo and gunk in your home could be solutions to climate change

Climate change solutions might be lurking in the dark recesses of your home, according to microbiologist James Henriksen, and he's encouraging everyone to get involved in the search for extremophiles, organisms that survive in extreme environments—including your water heater, air conditioner and...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Language a barrier in biodiversity work: Study suggests an English abstract may increase readership

A University of Queensland study has shown scientific knowledge on the conservation of endangered species is often overlooked when not presented in English. The research is published in Conservation Biology.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Scientists in Mexico develop tortilla for people with no fridge

Peering through a microscope, food scientist Raquel Gomez studies microorganisms that add nutrients and preserve tortillas for several weeks without refrigerators—a luxury in impoverished Mexican communities.
phys.org phys.org

We are told there need be no compromise
phys.org

Ending poverty without compromising climate goals is possible, say researchers

With climate change intensifying and billions of people still lacking basic necessities, addressing both challenges simultaneously is not only possible but essential. New research highlights that meeting global climate targets while ensuring decent living standards for all can be achieved...
phys.org phys.org

And yet--
phys.org

What are the tradeoffs when people have to choose between clean air and clean water?

People in many parts of the world lack access to clean water, but boiling water to make it safer often requires burning wood or other dirty fuels that expose them to air pollution. How do these two risks compare to each other? A new study suggests that, while health risks from the resulting air...
phys.org phys.org
 
Last edited:
Halcyon66 said:
techau.com.au

Australia's grid-scale battery power surged by 86% in Q1 2025 as coal fades to new low - techAU

Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) is witnessing a significant shift in its energy landscape, with renewable energy sources reaching
techau.com.au techau.com.au

Regards,
Click to expand...
Given recent events, I have to wonder just how accurate those claims are.

In other news:
www.telegraph.co.uk

Major setback for Miliband as North Sea wind farm project halted

Ørsted blames soaring costs as it pulls plug on offshore development intended to power 2.6m homes
www.telegraph.co.uk www.telegraph.co.uk
 
"New thin-film material achieves both high efficiency and durability in tandem solar cells."
techxplore.com

New thin-film material achieves both high efficiency and durability in tandem solar cells

A novel thin-film material capable of simultaneously enhancing the efficiency and durability of tandem solar cells has been developed.
techxplore.com techxplore.com

"Self-positioning micro devices...adaptable 3D display."
The latter article I included in that it may be relevant to beam steering later.

Making oil greener?
techxplore.com

A new approach could fractionate crude oil using much less energy

Separating crude oil into products such as gasoline, diesel, and heating oil is an energy-intensive process that accounts for about 6% of the world's CO2 emissions. Most of that energy goes into the heat needed to separate the components by their boiling point.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
https://phys.org/news/2025-05-renewable-energy-production-fossil-fuels.html

Yuck
phys.org

New method to monitor sewage pollution in rivers

Scientists at the University of Stirling have developed a new method of monitoring the presence of pathogens in rivers polluted by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Next-generation materials offer integrated solutions to water treatment challenges

The water we use every day is purified in wastewater treatment plants and discharged into rivers, and in recent years, the reuse of treated water for domestic and industrial use has been expanding to solve the water shortage problem.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Do you live near a dam holding mine waste? 6 questions to ask

Mining is essential to modern lifestyles. Copper, iron and other mined products are vital to the products many people take for granted, like electronic devices. Being able to buy these goods quite easily may give a person a false sense of how difficult it is to extract the elements they're made of.
phys.org phys.org

ammonia


In the news
techxplore.com

Power out of thin air: A simple, scalable flutter-driven wind energy harvester

When we think about renewable energy, images of sprawling solar farms or towering coastal wind turbines usually come to mind. Yet, there is a quieter, more compact option: a slender strip of material fluttering in the breeze, capable of converting ambient airflow into usable electrical energy.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Balancing wind power and marine life: New method evaluates ecological impact of offshore activities

A study from the University of Aberdeen has revealed a new approach to evaluating the ecological impacts of offshore activities. The paper is published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Opening the door to mass production of green hydrogen using natural sunlight

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), under the National Research Council of Science & Technology, has developed a technology that stably generates high photocurrent under natural sunlight to efficiently produce hydrogen.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Single-molecule spectroscopy reveals isotope effect in hydrogen confined to picocavities

An international research team has successfully achieved single-molecule spectroscopic observation of hydrogen (H2) and deuterium (D2) confined within a picocavity. The picocavity was formed between a silver nanotip and a silver single-crystal substrate under cryogenic and ultrahigh vacuum...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Ultrafast X-rays capture atomic movements in light-activated catalyst molecules

Catalysts facilitate crucial chemical reactions in nature and industry alike. In a subset of them, catalytic activity is triggered by light. For example, when iron pentacarbonyl—a molecule in which a central iron atom is surrounded by five carbon monoxide groups—is exposed to light, the iron...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Weighing investment risk for energy infrastructure construction: Solar outshines nuclear power plants

Between now and 2050, the International Energy Agency projects that more than $100 trillion will be spent on building net-zero energy infrastructure globally. Yet every single one of these projects runs the risk of higher-than-expected construction costs or time delays. Newer technologies...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
techxplore.com

Simple process extends lifetime of perovskite solar cells

A study carried out at the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, presents a new way to mitigate the rapid degradation of perovskite solar cells. The problem, which limits the use of these devices in everyday life, has challenged researchers in the field to find...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
techxplore.com

TEMPO molecule enhances stability and performance of perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells are among the most promising candidates for the next generation of photovoltaics: lightweight, flexible, and potentially very low-cost. However, their tendency to degrade under sunlight and heat has so far limited widespread adoption. Now, a new study published in Joule...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
techxplore.com

Advancements in (Ca,Ba)ZrS₃ solar cells using innovative spinel hole transport layers

Solar power has long been a beacon of hope in our pursuit of clean energy. However, the road to sustainable, high-efficiency photovoltaics has been riddled with roadblocks such as toxicity and instability in widely used lead halide perovskites. Could we engineer a solar cell that delivers not...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
techxplore.com

New thin-film material achieves both high efficiency and durability in tandem solar cells

A novel thin-film material capable of simultaneously enhancing the efficiency and durability of tandem solar cells has been developed.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Computational tool predicts stable metal-organic frameworks for new energy economy

The clean energy transition requires new means to transport energy that are less reliant on burning fossil fuels. This requires new materials to catalyze reactions to store and extract energy from chemical energy carriers without combustion.
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Nanofiltration approach can solve a bottleneck for CO₂ capture and conversion

Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere efficiently is often seen as a crucial need for combating climate change, but systems for removing carbon dioxide suffer from a tradeoff. Chemical compounds that efficiently remove CO₂ from the air do not easily release it once captured, and compounds...
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

Cobalt catalyst rivals platinum in key industrial reaction

Propane dehydrogenation is a key industrial route to producing propylene without relying on oil. However, its current production processes rely heavily on precious-metal catalysts such as Pt-based materials. Developing efficient alternatives using Earth-abundant metals has remained a challenge.
phys.org phys.org
hackaday.com

Recovering Water From Cooling Tower Plumes With Plume Abatement

As a common feature with thermal power plants, cooling towers enable major water savings compared to straight through cooling methods. Even so, the big clouds of water vapor above them are a clear …
hackaday.com hackaday.com
hackaday.com

A Brief History Of Fuel Cells

If we asked you to think of a device that converts a chemical reaction into electricity, you’d probably say we were thinking of a battery. That’s true, but there is another device that …
hackaday.com hackaday.com
hackaday.com

Big Chemistry: Fuel Ethanol

If legend is to be believed, three disparate social forces in early 20th-century America – the temperance movement, the rise of car culture, and the Scots-Irish culture of the South – c…
hackaday.com hackaday.com
phys.org

Chemists identify active sites enabling direct syngas conversion to light olefins

Zinc chromite (ZnCrOx) oxides coupled with zeolites (OXZEO) have shown great promise as the catalyst for the direct conversion of syngas into light olefins. However, identifying the specific active sites for this reaction remains elusive due to the structural complexity of the ZnCrOx composite...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Filtered car emissions still turn toxic after sunlight exposure, study reveals

A new international study led by Helmholtz Munich and the University of Rostock reveals that emissions from modern gasoline cars—despite meeting the currently strictest European emission standards EURO 6d—can become significantly more harmful after being released into the atmosphere. The...
phys.org phys.org
techxplore.com

Solar power system installations impact less than 1% of agricultural land in Arkansas

Large-scale solar power arrays occupy about 0.2% of agricultural land in Arkansas, according to an analysis by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
techxplore.com techxplore.com
phys.org

MXene boosts the effectiveness of catalysts for green hydrogen production

Green hydrogen is set to play an important role in the future energy system: it can be used for storing chemical energy, as a raw material for the chemical industry, and for producing climate‑friendly fuels. Green hydrogen can be generated in a nearly climate‑neutral manner if the energy used...
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Cryo-em freezes the funk: Scientists visualize a pungent protein

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But it takes millions of pictures to understand the intricate chemistry of an enzyme that helps break down sulfur, commonly found in fruits, vegetables, alcohol and gasoline, into the colorless gas most noted for its distinctive odor.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Researchers discover unknown molecules with the help of AI

Researchers have developed a machine learning model called DreaMS, which significantly accelerates the analysis of previously unknown molecules. The study is published in Nature Biotechnology.
phys.org phys.org

hackaday.com

Plugging Plasma Leaks In Magnetic Confinement With New Guiding Center Model

Although the idea of containing a plasma within a magnetic field seems straightforward at first, plasmas are highly dynamic systems that will happily escape magnetic confinement if given half a cha…
hackaday.com hackaday.com

The latest

On plastic pollution

The word for world is forest
 
Last edited:
www.telegraph.co.uk

Wind turbine parts supplier to close in threat to net zero supply chains

High energy costs trigger Japanese owner to shut Wigan plant
www.telegraph.co.uk www.telegraph.co.uk
A major supplier to Britain’s green energy industry is set to close after its Japanese owner failed to clinch a rescue deal for the company and its 250 workers.

Wigan-based Electric Glass Fiber UK (EGFU), which is owned by Nippon Electric Glass (NEG), makes vital components used in wind turbines and electric cars. Its closure puts net zero supply chains under threat.

Both turbines and EVs are seen by the Government as critical to its industrial strategy amid moves to decarbonise the British economy and to build up domestic supplies of critical products at a time of tariffs, wars and mounting geopolitical rivalries.

The British operation was profitable as recently as 2022, but made losses of £3m in 2023, mounting to £12m in 2024, according to the Japanese owner, which first invested in the UK arm in 2016.

It blamed competition from Chinese imports as well as the rising cost of raw materials, in financial statements published in last year, which could only be partially passed on to customers in the form of higher prices.

The business also said rising energy prices were putting pressure on operations.

Electric Glass Fiber’s closure comes just a day after Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s announced £1bn of investment in offshore wind supply chains.

The investment is aimed at building manufacturing capacity for turbine blades, cables and the platforms needed for floating wind farms.

Britain’s manufacturers typically pay far higher bills than competitors in countries including France and Germany, even though much of the Continent has been exposed to higher gas and electricity costs since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

British industry had to pay an additional £29bn for its gas and electricity over the last four years compared to the four years before the pandemic, according to new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

The UK’s iron and steel industry alone spent £1.8bn extra in the four years after the crisis. Its energy bill rose 80pc to £4bn, despite steel and steel mill output falling by 25pc since 2020.

The Office for National Statistics has said the UK has some of the world’s highest industrial energy prices. High gas prices and green levies such as the climate change levy, renewables obligation and feed-in tariffs have added to energy bills.

British and European authorities sought to protect domestic fibreglass manufacturers from perceived unfair competition from China, imposing “anti-dumping” tariffs on imports from the world’s second-largest economy in 2020.

The measures are set to run until early next year. Most of the company’s sales go to European customers.

But the tariffs were not sufficient to preserve the Wigan plant.

NEG said the closure of the site, just west of Manchester, came despite intense efforts to find an alternative. Production will cease later this month.

‘Voluntary liquidation’​

The parent company said:“NEG has considered various options, including the possibility of selling EGFU, forming strategic partnerships, or cessation of its business activities during the approximately two and a half month strategic review period.

“In order to quickly rebuild our composites business, we have determined to cease EGFU’s operation and proceed with preparations for voluntary liquidation.”

The closure comes after Sir Keir Starmer stepped in to rescue British Steel, taking control of the business as the Prime Minister deemed the Scunthorpe site to be critical to the country’s industrial security.

In that instance, a Chinese owner’s planned closure would have threatened the nation’s remaining steel production capacity, with ramifications for industries from construction to defence at a time when the Government wants both of those sectors to ramp up output urgently.

Last night, the industry minister Sarah Jones said: “We know this is a concerning time for Electric Glass Fiber UK workers and their families, and we are continuing to work closely with Nippon Electric Glass to understand the challenges and provide support.

“I recently met with the company’s leadership to stress the importance of the plant to the area and the UK.”
Click to expand...
 
Methane storage

Better design

Tough fuel cell

Ammonia and hydrogen production
phys.org

Scientists use lightning to make ammonia out of thin air

University of Sydney researchers have harnessed human-made lightning to develop a more efficient method of generating ammonia—one of the world's most important chemicals. Ammonia is also the main ingredient of fertilizers that account for almost half of all global food production.
phys.org phys.org

Water purifier

Heat sinks for space—bees wax?

Cooler spacecraft
 
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This is talking about solar power in general.

For its part, China is following through on its 10-year plan to triple its solar capacity by 2030 — a target it could hit as early as 2026, if it keeps up the current pace. While that has clear benefits for the environment and health of Chinese citizens, it also serves a geopolitical purpose, namely ending its dependence on American energy sources like oil and coal.

The US under Donald Trump, meanwhile, is drastically reversing course on a renewable future. His recent Big Beautiful Bill includes an end to tax incentives for new buyers of solar panels and batteries, and grants massive subsidies to the fossil and biofuel industries.

To justify the move, Trump blamed solar and wind infrastructure for skyrocketing energy costs, despite overwhelming evidence that solar energy makes the broader energy grid more stable, and energy much cheaper. That being the case, it's probably no shock to discover the president has more than a few ulterior motives.
Click to expand...
futurism.com

The Amount of Electricity Generated From Solar Is Suddenly Unbelievable

Solar power has become the fastest growing source of energy throughout the globe, with one gigawatt of capacity installed every 15 hours.
futurism.com futurism.com
 
The lithium-ion battery follows the same design strategy introduced by Volta 200 years ago, it does not improve and will not improve until quantum computers find a miracle.

The energy contained in a battery is a minuscule fraction of the energy contained in a liter of gasoline, the best can store about two hundred watt-hours per kilogram, gasoline stores twelve thousand.

Without an efficient battery, wind and solar power are toys that cannot be trusted.
 
Justo Miranda said:
The lithium-ion battery follows the same design strategy introduced by Volta 200 years ago, it does not improve and will not improve until quantum computers find a miracle.
Click to expand...
Ah, the old "we have to wait for a more advanced technology" argument...
Justo Miranda said:
The energy contained in a battery is a minuscule fraction of the energy contained in a liter of gasoline, the best can store about two hundred watt-hours per kilogram, gasoline stores twelve thousand.

Without an efficient battery, wind and solar power are toys that cannot be trusted.
Click to expand...
And yet, they are still already being used, be that small systems on individual houses (I have this already connected to my solar panels and am largely already self-sufficient off the grid) through to large scale systems, some of which are listed here:

en.wikipedia.org

Battery energy storage system - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
 
I see www.phys.org has an article entitled "New liquid can simplify hydrogen transportation and storage."

This actually describes two liquids...a mixture which forms deep eutectic solvents that can release hydrogen at only 60 degrees centigrade and it remains a liquid down to -50 degrees Celsius.

Green building design

Solar finds
-but

Green chemistry
hackaday.com

Caltech Scientists Make Producing Plastics From CO2 More Efficient

For decades there has been this tantalizing idea being pitched of pulling CO2 out of the air and using the carbon molecules for something more useful, like making plastics. Although this is a fairl…
hackaday.com hackaday.com

How pollution spreads

The glow

Nuclear waste
techxplore.com

Model predicts long-term effects of nuclear waste on underground disposal systems

As countries across the world experience a resurgence in nuclear energy projects, the questions of where and how to dispose of nuclear waste remain as politically fraught as ever. The United States, for instance, has indefinitely stalled its only long-term underground nuclear waste repository...
techxplore.com techxplore.com

To prevent food waste
 
Last edited:
Justo Miranda said:
The lithium-ion battery follows the same design strategy introduced by Volta 200 years ago, it does not improve and will not improve until quantum computers find a miracle.
Click to expand...
The combustion engine follows the same principle as burning wood 800,000 years ago. It does not improve and will not improve until the atmosphere is composed of different gases.
 
GTX said:
www.abc.net.au

Fossil fuels are being 'eaten alive' by the solar rush

Satellite imagery reveals the staggering rise of solar farms around the world in recent years. Can Australia get on board?
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
Click to expand...

Not all roses, though.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Surprise solar boom in Pakistan helps millions, but harms grid

The rise of solar in Pakistan has many benefits, but a rapid and unregulated boom also threatens to weaken the country’s utilities and destabilize the fragile economy.
www.japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp
 
shin_getter said:
The combustion engine follows the same principle as burning wood 800,000 years ago. It does not improve and will not improve until the atmosphere is composed of different gases.
Click to expand...
Combustion is possible thanks to the production of oxygen by microorganisms. The fossil fuels that we burn, as naturally as we eat fruit, are solar energy chemically condensed by microorganisms through a process called photosynthesis that uses various levels of quantum technology that we are not yet able to produce in the laboratory. Both phenomena are safe, natural and durable, the renewable hydroelectric energy generated by a double dam system is also safe. Wind generators are a mechanical folly, and photovoltaic generators are a declaration of technological impotence, both systems generate great pollution during the process of their manufacture and during transport from the third world, they are not reliable and make us depend on the sun and the wind like the caravels of Columbus.
 

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