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Grass as the new biofuel

A new European research project seeks grass crops that could be grown and harvested on marginal lands, away from areas suitable for food crops.

Dec 17th, 2013

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Drexel University opens A.J. Drexel Institute for Energy and the Environment

Drexel University is opening a new research institute that will strive to answer some of the most challenging questions about energy and environmental sustainability facing the nation today. The A.J. Drexel Institute for Energy and the Environment will look at the science, economics and politics that influence decisions about energy and the environment; and serve as a resource for decision makers both in the region and around the world.

Dec 17th, 2013

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Recognizing the elephant in the room: Future climate impacts across sectors

A pioneering collaboration within the international scientific community has provided comprehensive projections of climate change effects, ranging from water scarcity to risks to crop yields. This interdisciplinary effort, employing extensive model inter-comparisons, allows research gaps to be identified, whilst producing the most robust possible findings. The results provide crucial insights for decision-making regarding mitigation efforts in the face of potential impact cascades.

Dec 16th, 2013

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World e-waste map reveals national volumes, international flows

The first 'E-Waste World Map' has been created by UN organizations, industry, governments, non-government and science organizations through their 'Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP)' initiative. By 2017, world volumes of end-of-life e-products is expected to be 33 percent higher than 2012 and weigh the equivalent of eight Great Egyptian Pyramids. A complementary new EPA-funded StEP report by MIT and NCER characterizes US domestic and transboundary flows of used electronics.

Dec 15th, 2013

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Ethanol blends carry hidden risk

Blending more ethanol into fuel to cut air pollution carries a hidden risk that toxic or explosive gases may leach into buildings, according to researchers at Rice University.

Dec 14th, 2013

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Novel organic solar cells

Future solar cells will be light and mechanically flexible. They will be produced at low costs with the help of printing processes. POPUP, the new BMBF-funded research project, aims at developing more efficient materials and new architectures for organic photovoltaic devices.

Dec 13th, 2013

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Can we turn unwanted carbon dioxide into electricity?

Researchers are developing a new kind of geothermal power plant that will lock away unwanted carbon dioxide underground - and use it as a tool to boost electric power generation by at least 10 times compared to existing geothermal energy approaches.

Dec 13th, 2013

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Exploring the secrets of carbon dioxide sequestation by phytoplankton

The discussion over the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and remove existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere often includes measures that entail planting trees. But this discussion overlooks an important factor: trees are not the only plants that take up carbon dioxide. In fact, microscopic marine phytoplankton already play a critical role in regulating today's carbon cycles.

Dec 12th, 2013

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A new material for solar panels could make them cheaper, more efficient

A unique solar panel design made with a new ceramic material points the way to potentially providing sustainable power cheaper, more efficiently, and requiring less manufacturing time. It also reaches a four-decade-old goal of discovering a bulk photovoltaic material that can harness energy from visible and infrared light, not just ultraviolet light.

Dec 12th, 2013

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Carbon capture technology could be vital for climate targets

The future availability of carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be pivotal in reaching ambitious climate targets, according to a new comprehensive study of future energy technologies from IIASA, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change, the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum, and researchers worldwide.

Dec 11th, 2013

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Biodegradable or not?

Scientists are developing classifications in order to better differentiate readily-biodegradable from long-lasting pesticides.

Dec 10th, 2013

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Turning agriculture and aquaculture waste into renewable energy

An innovative new three-year research project will see the aquaculture, agriculture and biogas sectors working together to develop renewable energy. The initiative demonstrates how improving sustainability, reducing waste and achieving operational efficiencies can be achieved simultaneously.

Dec 5th, 2013

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