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Scientists use fruit peel to turn old batteries into new

Scientists have developed a novel method of using fruit peel waste to extract and reuse precious metals from spent lithium-ion batteries in order to create new batteries.

Aug 26th, 2020

Wireless device makes clean fuel from sunlight, CO2 and water

Researchers have developed a standalone device that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into a carbon-neutral fuel, without requiring any additional components or electricity.

Aug 25th, 2020

Fuel cells for hydrogen vehicles are becoming longer lasting

Researchers succeeded in developing an electrocatalyst for hydrogen fuel cells which, in contrast to the catalysts commonly used today, does not require a carbon carrier and is therefore much more stable.

Aug 24th, 2020

The traits of microbes matter in microbial carbon cycling and storage

A new study indicates that there is a strong connection between the makeup of a microbiome and the rate at which leaf litter can be decomposed to carbon dioxide or other products. It also identifies microbial traits linked to increased storage of carbon in soil.

Aug 21st, 2020

Challenges in the development of sustainable electrocatalysts

Regenerative energy harvesting often generates more electricity than is directly needed. Although intensive research on the catalysts required for this has been going on for 20 years, progress is only being made in small steps.

Aug 20th, 2020

Researchers design efficient low-cost system for producing power at night

Rooftop radiative cooling system could provide lighting power when solar energy is unavailable.

Aug 13th, 2020

Incorporating solar harvesting into the side of buildings could enhance energy sustainability

If builders could incorporate solar harvesting into the siding of a building, the amount of energy from the grid that a structure would need may significantly decrease.

Aug 5th, 2020

Surface clean-up technology won't solve ocean plastic problem

Researchers compared estimates of current and future plastic waste with the ability of floating clean-up devices to collect it and found the impact of such devices was 'very modest'.

Aug 4th, 2020

Used COVID-19 PPE could be turned into biofuels instead of landing in landfill

Plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can, and should, be transformed into renewable liquid fuels, according to researchers.

Aug 4th, 2020

Open Source for a Global 'Energiewende'

Computer models are essential for achieving energy turnaround also known as 'Energiewende. Free and open-source simulations can help in the planning of capacities for generating, transporting, and storing energy, taking into account dynamic parameters such as the weather and energy consumption.

Aug 3rd, 2020

New smartphone game lets you solve real-world ecological puzzles (w/video)

EcoBuilder, which is downloadable now on smartphones and tablets, teaches players how ecosystems work and aims to crowdsource solutions to unsolved ecological puzzles.

Jul 31st, 2020

Solar energy converter creates power and heat for cheap

The hybrid solar energy converter uses an approach that more fully captures the whole spectrum of sunlight. It generates electricity from high efficiency multi-junction solar cells that also redirect infrared rays of sunlight to a thermal receiver, which converts those rays to thermal energy.