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Scientists achieve direct electrocatalytic reduction of CO2, raising hopes for smart carbon capture

Chemists propose an innovative way to achieve carbon capture using a rhenium-based electrocatalytic system that is capable of reducing low-concentration CO2 (even 1%) with high selectivity and durability, which is a new potential technology to enable direct utilization of CO2 in exhaust gases from heavy industries.

Nov 28th, 2018

Researcher creates first model of how plastic waste moves in the environment

A researcher for the first time has modeled how microplastic fibers move through the environment. The work could someday help communities better understand and reduce plastics pollution, which is a growing problem around the world.

Nov 27th, 2018

Light-activated, single-ion catalyst breaks down carbon dioxide

X-ray studies reveal structural details that may point the way to designing better catalysts for converting pollutant gas into useful products.

Nov 26th, 2018

Propelled via ionic wind, engineers fly first-ever plane with no moving parts

The silent, lightweight aircraft doesn't depend on fossil fuels or batteries.

Nov 22nd, 2018

Explaining the plummeting cost of solar power

Researchers uncover the factors that have caused photovoltaic module costs to drop by 99 percent.

Nov 20th, 2018

Waste not, want not: making new materials from waste

The textile industry generates enormous amounts of waste and is one of the largest consumers of water and energy resources. Research is looking at ways to reduce its ecological impact by using textile waste and design to develop new materials for the future.

Nov 15th, 2018

New publication sheds light on the power of decentralised databases for climate action initiatives

A report suggests blockchain and other decentralised systems could help unlock the much-needed funds for a successful transformation towards a zero-carbon economy.

Nov 15th, 2018

New method enables large-scale production of bio-based plastic bottles

Scientists have discovered a novel method to synthesize furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) in a high yield from a glucose derivative of non-food plant cellulose, paving the way for replacing petroleum-derived terephthalic acid with biomaterials in plastic bottle applications.

Nov 12th, 2018

Shortening the rare-earth supply chain via recycling

Researchers recycle rare-earth elements from spent fluorescent lamps by chemical/mechanical treatment.

Nov 2nd, 2018

Researchers turn plastic bottle waste into ultralight supermaterial with wide-ranging applications

World's first PET aerogels cut plastic waste, and are suitable for heat and sound insulation, oil spill cleaning, carbon dioxide absorption, as well as fire safety applications.

Nov 2nd, 2018

A solar cell that does double duty for renewable energy

Researchers develop an artificial photosynthesis system that generates hydrogen fuel and electricity at the same time.

Oct 29th, 2018

Researchers achieve breakthrough in process to produce hydrogen fuel

Researchers successfully reveal the fundamental chemical reaction present in solar power that could form the missing link to generate the electricity necessary to accomplish this process.

Oct 29th, 2018

The science of sustainability

Can a unified path for development and conservation lead to a better future?

Oct 16th, 2018

Novel catalyst for high-energy aluminum-air flow batteries

A recent study has introduced a novel electric vehicle (EV) battery technology that is more energy-efficient than gasoline-powered engines.

Oct 15th, 2018

New technique for turning sunshine and water into hydrogen fuel

Researchers have developed a new catalyst synthesis method that can efficiently decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen using solar light. It is expected that this method will facilitate hydrogen mass production due to higher efficiency than the existing photocatalyst method.

Oct 11th, 2018