National climate policy progressed in the last decade, despite stalled global negotiations
New study explores climate and energy policy challenges in Brazil, China, EU, India, U.S.
Posted: Apr 16th, 2013
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Scientists discover new materials to capture methane
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and UC Berkeley and have discovered new materials to capture methane, the second highest concentration greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere.
Posted: Apr 16th, 2013
Read moreStudy focused on afterlife of electric vehicle batteries
Once they've finished powering electric vehicles for hundreds of thousands of miles, it may not be the end of the road for automotive batteries, which researchers believe can provide continued benefits for consumers, automakers and the environment.
Posted: Apr 16th, 2013
Read moreSurprising findings on hydrogen production in green algae
New research results from Uppsala University instil hope of efficient hydrogen production with green algae being possible in the future, despite the prevailing scepticism based on previous research. The study, which is published today in the esteemed journal PNAS, changes the view on the ability of green algae - which is good news.
Posted: Apr 16th, 2013
Read moreThe future of our energy
When it comes to sustainable energy supplies hydroelectric plants are usually the best solution, according to researchers who have reviewed the economic, social and environmental impact of fuel provision.
Posted: Apr 15th, 2013
Read moreCutting specific pollutants would slow sea level rise
With coastal areas bracing for rising sea levels, new research indicates that cutting emissions of certain pollutants can greatly slow down sea level rise this century. The research team found that reductions in four pollutants that cycle comparatively quickly through the atmosphere could temporarily forestall the rate of sea level rise by roughly 25 to 50 percent.
Posted: Apr 14th, 2013
Read moreBetter batteries from waste sulfur
A new chemical process can transform waste sulfur into a lightweight plastic that may improve batteries for electric cars, reports a University of Arizona-led team. The new plastic has other potential uses, including optical uses.
Posted: Apr 14th, 2013
Read moreEnzymes from horse feces could hold secrets to streamlining biofuel production
Stepping into unexplored territory in efforts to use corn stalks, grass and other non-food plants to make biofuels, scientists today described the discovery of a potential treasure-trove of candidate enzymes in fungi thriving in the feces and intestinal tracts of horses.
Posted: Apr 12th, 2013
Read moreNew technique measures evaporation globally
Researchers at Columbia Engineering and Boston University have developed the first method to map evaporation globally using weather stations, which will help scientists evaluate water resource management, assess recent trends of evaporation throughout the globe, and validate surface hydrologic models in various conditions.
Posted: Apr 12th, 2013
Read moreCO2 removal can lower costs of climate protection
Directly removing CO2 from the air has the potential to alter the costs of climate change mitigation. It could allow prolonging greenhouse-gas emissions from sectors like transport that are difficult, thus expensive, to turn away from using fossil fuels. And it may help to constrain the financial burden on future generations, a study now published by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research shows.
Posted: Apr 12th, 2013
Read moreA solar booster shot for natural gas power plants
PNNL's concentrating solar power system reduces greenhouse emissions - at a price that's competitive with fossil fuel power.
Posted: Apr 11th, 2013
Read moreBetter monitoring and diagnostics tackle algae biofuel pond crash problem (w/video)
Sandia National Laboratories is developing a suite of complementary technologies to help the emerging algae industry detect and quickly recover from algal pond crashes, an obstacle to large-scale algae cultivation for future biofuels.
Posted: Apr 11th, 2013
Read moreMassive energy cost hidden in wireless cloud boom
Australian research shows public debate has missed the point on making cloud services more energy efficient.
Posted: Apr 11th, 2013
Read moreInnovative self-cooling, thermoelectric system developed
Researchers at the UPNA/NUP-Public University of Navarre have produced a prototype of a self-cooling thermoelectric device that achieves 'free' cooling of over 30ºC in devices that give off heat. It is a piece of equipment that acts as a traditional cooler but which consumes no electricity because it obtains the energy it needs to function from the very heat that has to be dissipated.
Posted: Apr 11th, 2013
Read moreNew centre to focus on harvest and storage of solar energy
Imagine a car coated with a surface that can simultaneously capture and store energy from the sun's rays. It would solve one of the main problems associated with solar cells - they don't work at night or in foul weather.
Posted: Apr 10th, 2013
Read moreUnderstanding the life of lithium ion batteries in electric vehicles
Scientists today answered a question that worries millions of owners and potential owners of electric and hybrid vehicles using lithium-ion batteries: How long before the battery pack dies, leaving a sticker-shock bill for a fresh pack or a car ready for the junk heap?
Posted: Apr 10th, 2013
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