Cleantech and Environmental News – Latest Headlines
Subscribe to our Cleantech News feed
Biologists collaborate to refine climate change modeling tools
New model includes critical plant-soil interaction processes in climate assessments.
Posted: Nov 11th, 2014
Read moreInternational scientific organizations support data sharing for sustainability
SciDataCon2014, the International Conference on Data Sharing and Integration for Global Sustainability, was motivated by the conviction that the most significant research challenges - and in particular the pressing issues relating to global sustainability in the face of ongoing natural and human-induced changes to the planetary system - cannot be properly addressed without paying attention to issues relating to equitable access to quality-assured and interoperable datasets and their long-term management and preservation.
Posted: Nov 11th, 2014
Read moreIron fertilization of the Southern Ocean might be less efficient for deep-ocean carbon dioxide storage than previously thought
A new study performed by a team of international scientists reveals that a complex ecosystem response to iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean might reduce the efficiency of biological carbon pump in transporting carbon dioxide into the deep ocean.
Posted: Nov 10th, 2014
Read moreAgeing test procedure for thermal solar collectors
The project 'SpeedColl' develops accelerated ageing test procedures for thermal solar collectors and their components.
Posted: Nov 10th, 2014
Read moreHarvesting electrical energy from mechanical vibrations
The new method can be used in harvesting energy from mechanical vibrations of the environment and converting it into electricity. Energy harvesters are needed, for example, in wireless self-powered sensors and medical implants, where they could ultimately replace batteries.
Posted: Nov 10th, 2014
Read moreNew Master's Program in Energy Conservation is first of its kind
A new professional master's program will launch at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in fall 2015 and become the first in the world specifically designed to train analytically minded students to evaluate energy efficiency and other resource-conservation initiatives.
Posted: Nov 9th, 2014
Read moreYour own energy 'island'? Microgrid could standardize small, self-sustaining electric grids
'Islanding', or isolating, from the grid, is a fundamental benefit of microgrids - small systems powered by renewables and energy storage devices. The benefit is that microgrids can disconnect from larger utility grids and continue to provide power locally.
Posted: Nov 7th, 2014
Read moreWind energy reaches greater heights
Startup's on-site fabrication process makes taller wind turbines more feasible.
Posted: Nov 6th, 2014
Read moreNovel sodium-conducting material could improve rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable battery manufacturers may get a jolt from research where a team of scientists has discovered a safe, inexpensive, sodium-conducting material that significantly outperforms all others in its class.
Posted: Nov 5th, 2014
Read moreEngineers create fuel cell that can run at room temperature
Engineers developed the first room-temperature fuel cell that uses enzymes to help jet fuel produce electricity without needing to ignite the fuel. These new fuel cells can be used to power portable electronics, off-grid power and sensors.
Posted: Nov 5th, 2014
Read moreInnovative materials that could make on-board hydrogen generators a reality
A long-lived catalyst facilitates the first steps toward a viable small-scale on-board hydrogen generator.
Posted: Nov 5th, 2014
Read moreNo quick fix for global warming
A debate has broken out between politicians and scientists as to whether atmospheric warming can be delayed by reducing short-lived climate forcing agents. An international research team has now confirmed that a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is the only long-term remedy for global warming.
Posted: Nov 4th, 2014
Read moreElectric car breaks acceleration world record: 0 to 100 km/h in 1.785 seconds (w/video)
The 'grimsel' electric racing car today broke the previous world record for acceleration in electric cars. The vehicle accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.785 seconds in under 30 metres.
Posted: Nov 4th, 2014
Read moreAn economical process for micro energy harvesting
The trend toward energy self-sufficient probes and ever smaller mobile electronics systems continues unabated. They are used, for example, to monitor the status of the engines on airplanes, or for medical implants. They gather the energy they need for this from their immediate environment - from vibrations, for instance. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a process for the economical production of piezoelectric materials.
Posted: Nov 4th, 2014
Read morePilot study reveals new findings about microplastics in wastewater
Treatment plants cannot completely keep microplastics out of wastewater by conventional means. This is one of the results of a pilot study. The findings will be used to better protect flora and fauna in rivers and seas.
Posted: Oct 30th, 2014
Read moreWind of Change: European grid prepares for massive integration of renewables
Today, the city of Rome welcomed an important new initiative for the large-scale integration of grids and of renewables sources into Europe's energy mix, with nearly 40 leading organisations from research, industry, utilities, transmission systems operators announcing their united goal to find the BEST PATHS to deliver affordable, reliable power in Europe from coast to coast.
Posted: Oct 30th, 2014
Read more