Wind in the willows boosts biofuel production
Willows cultivated for green energy can yield five times more biofuel if they grow diagonally, compared with those that grow naturally straight up.
Jan 20th, 2013
Read more
Cleantech and Environmental News – Latest Headlines
Subscribe to our Cleantech News feed
More efficient production of large-scale batteries
Planning and design software from Siemens can help manufacturers to automate the production of large-scale batteries.
Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreA new world record for thin-film solar cell efficiency - 20.4%
In a remarkable feat, scientists at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, have developed thin film solar cells on flexible polymer foils with a new record efficiency of 20.4% for converting sunlight into electricity.
Jan 18th, 2013
Read morePhotovoltaics beat biofuels at converting sun's energy to miles driven
New study shows solar power is not only better in terms of energy efficiency, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions - but cost competitive, too.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreBacteria to spot pollution
Scientists are recruiting bacteria to spot pollutants spilling into our rivers and lakes.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreTough limits on global greenhouse gas emissions could reduce some climate change damage by two-thirds
Tough limits on global emissions of greenhouse gases could avoid between 20 and 65 per cent of the damaging effects of climate change by 2100.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreNew research to support the huge potential of tidal power
New research from a global group of scientists and engineers, including from the University of Southampton, supports the use of tidal power, which has the potential to provide more than 20 per cent of the UK's electricity demand.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreMarginal lands are prime fuel source for alternative energy
Lands unsuited for food crops represent huge untapped resource to grow mixed species biomass for ethanol.
Jan 16th, 2013
Read moreNASA finds 2012 sustained long-term climate warming trend
NASA scientists say 2012 was the ninth warmest of any year since 1880, continuing a long-term trend of rising global temperatures. With the exception of 1998, the nine warmest years in the 132-year record all have occurred since 2000, with 2010 and 2005 ranking as the hottest years on record.
Jan 16th, 2013
Read moreAlstom and Aston University developing energy grid systems
Global engineering firm Alstom is working with Aston University (UK) scientists to further its research into power grid efficiency in the UK and worldwide.
Jan 16th, 2013
Read moreNew world record for organic solar technology with a cell efficiency of 12%
The 12.0% record cell on a standard size of 1.1 square cm combines two patented absorber materials, which convert light of different wavelengths. Using two different absorber materials creates a stronger absorption of photons and improves energetic utilization through a higher photovoltage.
Jan 16th, 2013
Read moreIconic beach resorts may not survive sea level rises
A leading coastal scientist has warned that some of the world's best known beach resorts may not survive projected sea level rises and that problems caused by changing sea levels are compounded by a lack of political will and short-term coastal management initiatives.
Jan 16th, 2013
Read moreA cooler planet by design
Many of us get frustrated with the slow pace of international action on climate change. But powerless as we feel, we can still make a difference by rethinking the way we design our lives.
Jan 16th, 2013
Read moreTowards better recovery of waste resources
Finnish researchers evaluate waste chain development needs.
Jan 16th, 2013
Read moreOne step closer to hydrogen production from photoelectrochemical water-splitting
A validated multi-physics numerical model that accounts for charge and species conservation, fluid flow, and electrochemical processes has been used to analyze the performance of solar-driven photoelectrochemical water-splitting systems. The modeling has provided an in-depth analysis of conceptual designs, proof-of-concepts, feasibility investigations, and quantification of performance.
Jan 15th, 2013
Read moreThe Nature Conservancy and six universities creating new brand of scientist to solve global issues
To meet 21st-century food, water and energy challenges, the world needs more women and men with interdisciplinary training and access to world problems on the ground. As a result, Cornell and five other universities have partnered with The Nature Conservancy to establish the NatureNet Science Fellows Program, which is intended to help develop a new breed of interdisciplinary scientists with academic savvy, and skills and opportunity to solve real-world problems.
Jan 15th, 2013
Read moreBlack carbon is much larger cause of climate change than previously assessed
Black carbon is the second largest man-made contributor to global warming and its influence on climate has been greatly underestimated, according to the first quantitative and comprehensive analysis of this pollutant's climate impact..
Jan 15th, 2013
Read moreWhere there's smoke or smog, there's climate change
In addition to causing smoggy skies and chronic coughs, soot - or black carbon - turns out to be the number two contributor to global warming. It's second only to carbon dioxide, according to a four-year assessment by an international panel.
Jan 15th, 2013
Read more