Cleantech and Environmental News – Latest Headlines

Novel cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Novel cathode materials for SOFC with high performance and strong reliability at the intermediate temperature.

August 13, 2013 Read more

The changing shape of solar

Researchers develop one of the first combined solar/thermal energy generators. It can suck up the heat of a hot summer's day and turn it into electricity.

August 13, 2013 Read more

Cactus'points way for oil spill clean-up

Inspired by prickly cacti, scientists have developed a new technique for removing oil from water, which could have applications in oil spill clean-up work.

August 12, 2013 Read more

Researchers hope better catalysts lead to better ways of converting biomass to fuel

In order to successfully convert biomass into fuel, researchers have developed a roadmap of chemical reactions. Each of these reactions requires either a different catalytic material or a different set of reaction conditions to work effectively.

August 9, 2013 Read more

Researchers develop method for predicting adsorption in carbon dioxide-scrubbing materials

Scientists have developed a method that accurately predicts the adsorptive properties of crystalline MTV-MOF systems synthesized with different combinations of functional chemical groups.

August 9, 2013 Read more

Synthetic polymers enable cheap, efficient, durable alkaline fuel cells

A new cost-effective polymer membrane can decrease the cost of alkaline batteries and fuel cells by allowing the replacement of expensive platinum catalysts without sacrificing important aspects of performance, according to Penn State researchers.

August 7, 2013 Read more

A greener, more sustainable source of ingredients for widely used plastics

A new process can convert a wide variety of vegetable and animal fats and oils - ranging from lard to waste cooking oil - into a key ingredient for making plastics that currently comes from petroleum.

August 7, 2013 Read more

Engineers gain new insight into turbulence that could lead to significant global energy savings

Scientists have developed a new understanding of how turbulence works, which could help to optimise vehicle performance and save billions in global energy costs.

August 7, 2013 Read more

KAIST's wireless Online Electric Vehicle runs inner city roads

For the first time anywhere, electric buses provide public transportation services and are recharged right from the road.

August 6, 2013 Read more

New report firms up land-use requirements of solar

The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has published a report on the land use requirements of solar power plants based on actual land-use practices from existing solar facilities.

August 6, 2013 Read more

High temperature capacitor could pave the way for electric vehicle

Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory are helping to create electronics capabilities for electric vehicles, with the development of a high temperature capacitor.

August 6, 2013 Read more

Assessing the cost of climate change and its wider impact on society

Researchers for EU-funded project GLOBAL-IQ ('Impact Quantification of Global Changes') are contributing to the debate by assessing the socio-economic impacts of climate change on society. They will also evaluate the costs and benefits of possible mitigation and adaptation strategies.

August 6, 2013 Read more

Wind energy production in the United States at an all-time high

In 2012, wind energy became the number one source of new U.S. electricity generation capacity for the first time - representing 43 percent of all new electric additions and accounting for $25 billion in U.S. investment.

August 6, 2013 Read more

Recipe for more environmentally friendly batteries

Norwegian scientists want to develop greener and more vigorous batteries, using inexpensive raw materials that are plentiful in Norway.

August 6, 2013 Read more

Global investigation reveals true scale of ocean warming

Warming oceans are causing marine species to change breeding times and shift homes with expected substantial consequences for the broader marine landscape, according to a new global study.

August 4, 2013 Read more

Bio-inspired design may lead to more energy efficient windows

Researchers describe a novel process to cut down on heat loss during the winter and keep buildings cool during the summer. Their 'bio-inspired approach to thermal control for cooling (or heating) building window surfaces' calls for attaching optically clear, flexible elastomer sheets, bonded to regular glass window panes.

August 2, 2013 Read more

Models for a more effective response to climate change

The overall aim of the EU-funded CLIMSAVE project, ('Climate change integrated assessment methodology for cross-sectoral adaptation and vulnerability in Europe'), is to help in the assessment of the impact of climate change over a range of environmental and economic areas in different regions.

August 2, 2013 Read more

Kick-starting Europe's electric vehicle industry

Although e-vehicles make up only a tiny fraction of the European car fleet at present, sales are expected to grow exponentially over the coming years, thanks, in no small measure, to advances in e-vehicle technology.

August 2, 2013 Read more