Cleantech and Environmental News – Latest Headlines

A self-charging, ultra-thin device that generates electricity from air moisture

Using sea salt as an eco-friendly moisture absorbent, this rechargeable fabric-like 'battery' provides higher electrical output than a conventional AA battery - potentially powering everyday electronics.

August 18, 2022 Read more

Floating 'artificial leaves' ride the wave of clean fuel production

Researchers have developed floating 'artificial leaves' that generate clean fuels from sunlight and water, and could eventually operate on a large scale at sea.

August 17, 2022 Read more

Perovskite material with superlattice structure might surpass efficiency of a 'perfect' solar cell

A newly developed perovskite solar cell brings researchers closer to breaking the ceiling on solar cell efficiency.

August 13, 2022 Read more

A new method boosts wind farms' energy output, without new equipment

By modeling the conditions of an entire wind farm rather than individual turbines, engineers can squeeze more power out of existing installations.

August 13, 2022 Read more

Researchers fabricate cobalt copper catalysts for methane on metal-organic framework

This research contributes to goal of methane production from carbon dioxide emissions.

August 13, 2022 Read more

Engineering enzymes to help solve the planet's plastic problem

Scientists have developed a new enzyme engineering platform to improve plastic degrading enzymes through directed evolution.

August 13, 2022 Read more

What if we could recycle the energy remaining in discarded batteries?

A new approach to extracting residual energy from waste batteries could serve as a starting point for waste reduction research.

August 11, 2022 Read more

Scientists offer blueprint for sustainable redesign of food systems

The researchers describe food systems designed not by the logic of growth such as efficiency and extraction, but by principles of sufficiency, regeneration, distribution, commons, and care.

August 9, 2022 Read more

Environmental impact of 57,000 multi-ingredient processed foods revealed

Scientists have published a study estimating the environmental impact of 57,000 food products in the UK and Ireland.

August 9, 2022 Read more

Optimal useful service life of household appliances analysed to cut environmental impacts

A study shows that it is more efficient to invest in renewable energies than in 'replacement schemes' for household appliances.

August 9, 2022 Read more

Combining techniques to create more environmentally friendly, heat resistant, and transparent plastics

Researchers have developed a new technique for creating polymers. This discovery is expected to lead to the development of plastics that are more environmentally friendly, heat resistant, and transparent.

August 9, 2022 Read more

Enhancing solar efficiency with upconversion

Researchers have developed a novel wafer bonding technology using an optical upconversion material that transforms sunlight to shorter-wavelengths. This new semiconductor process utilizes the interface's optical function for bond formation.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Graphene/COF nano-sponges with potential for rapid wastewater treatment

Composite material of COF and graphene shows high and rapid adsorption capacity for organic pollutants.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Understanding a critical defect affecting silicon wafers in many solar cells

Researchers have identified a precursor to a critical defect that affects silicon wafers used in any p-type solar cells. According to the team, these defects are known as the 'boron-oxygen complex' and are formed in places where electrons get 'trapped' within a semiconductor.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Researchers propose an affordable and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries

Findings could pave the way for a cost-efficient, high-performing calcium-ion battery.

August 2, 2022 Read more

A nanofluidic osmotic energy generator

Enormous free-energy dissipation takes place when fresh river water mixes with salty sea water. This so-called osmotic energy, which normally goes to waste, can be harvested with nanostructured membranes that are put between the two types of water. Porous materials with intrinsic nano or sub-nanochannels, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are considered good candidates for nanofluidic osmotic energy harvesting. Here, researchers demonstrate an ultrathin, self-standing COF with excellent stability at different salt differential concentrations, pH values, and temperatures.

August 2, 2022 Read more

A paper battery with water switch

A newly developed water-activated disposable paper battery could be used to power a wide range of low-power, single-use disposable electronics - such as smart labels for tracking objects, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices - and minimize their environmental impact.

July 29, 2022 Read more

Hydrogen production and carbon capture - in a single step

Researchers have succeeded in producing hydrogen using a far more efficient method than is currently in use. The team has also demonstrated that the process can be scaled up for commercial application.

July 29, 2022 Read more