Fallen Leaves Make Sustainable Paper
A Ukrainian company is reimagining urban waste by transforming fallen leaves into eco-friendly pulp and packaging paper, thereby cutting carbon, saving water, and leaving forests untouched. Growing Without Cutting Down Trees Releaf Paper, based in Kyiv, Ukraine, is exploring an alternative approach to sustainable packaging by turning urban leaf litter into recyclable paper products. Launched […]
Low Carbon ‘Superwood’ With Steel-Like Strength
A new sustainable building material that’s stronger than steel and made from ordinary timber is about to go into mass production, and it could change the face of construction forever. From The Lab to the Launch of ‘Superwood’ In 2018, materials scientist Liangbing Hu and his team at the University of Maryland developed a method […]
Will Robots Solve The Housing Crisis?
As Europe faces a worsening housing shortage, a new generation of construction robots is being pitched as a solution, but how realistic is the idea, and what does it mean for sustainability, workers, and the industry as a whole? Rethinking the Way We Build Housing shortages aren’t new, but in parts of Europe (including the […]
Google Training 130,000 Electricians & Apprentices
Google says the future of AI depends on a new generation of electricians and that’s why it’s investing massively to train them. A Different Kind of Skills Shortage As artificial intelligence (AI) systems grow ever more powerful, so too does their appetite for energy. From data centres to new-generation processors, it seems that the infrastructure […]
UK Pilot Scheme To Extract CO₂ From Seawater
A pioneering new facility in Weymouth, Dorset, is taking an innovative approach to tackling climate change by extracting carbon dioxide directly from seawater. Why? While most climate efforts focus on cutting emissions or capturing carbon from the air, the SeaCURE project, developed by scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the University of Exeter, is […]
Bubbles Protect Offshore Wind Farm Marine Life
In a UK first, energy giant RWE has successfully trialled bubble curtain technology at its Sofia Offshore Wind Farm to protect marine life from the noise generated during offshore wind construction. A Breakthrough for British Waters This kind of system, already in use across parts of Europe, is designed to dramatically reduce the impact of […]
Scientists Make Iron Without Blast Furnaces
Scientists at the University of Oregon have found a cleaner, electrochemical way to create pure iron metal using saltwater and iron oxide, potentially slashing the carbon footprint of one of the world’s dirtiest industries. Why Ironmaking Needs a Rethink Iron is the backbone of global infrastructure. From bridges to buildings and car bodies to cookware, […]
Solar Panels Made From Molten Moon Dust
In a move towards sustainable space colonisation, scientists at the University of Potsdam (Germany) have created working solar panels from molten Moon dust, hopefully paving the way for lunar bases powered by materials already found on the Moon. Why Haul It Up There If You Don’t Have To? Transporting anything into space is expensive. In […]
New Algorithm Makes Quantum Simulations 10x More Efficient
UK startup Phasecraft says its new THRIFT algorithm makes quantum simulations 10 times larger and longer, potentially unlocking major breakthroughs in materials, energy, and climate tech. Breakthrough Phasecraft, a Bristol- and London-based quantum computing startup, has announced what it calls the most significant leap yet in quantum simulation efficiency. Its new algorithm, THRIFT, allows simulations […]
Electric Vehicles Charged in 5 Mins
Chinese automaker BYD says its new megawatt charging platform could eliminate range anxiety and double Tesla’s speed, but how does it work, and what could this mean for UK drivers? Charges As Quickly As Filling A Petrol Tank According to Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, EV charging is about to get a serious upgrade. BYD […]
Is Geothermal Energy The Future For Data Centres?
A new report from the Rhodium Group claims that advanced geothermal energy could power nearly all new data centres by 2030. A Stable, Renewable Solution With the exponential rise in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing driving unprecedented demand for electricity, the energy consumption of data centres is a growing concern. However, the report suggests […]
New Clean Energy Materials In 2 Years (Not 20)
Danish startup PhaseTree says its combined use of multi-scale modelling techniques means it can create new materials for clean energy technologies in just 2 years (instead of the usual 20), i.e. a speed 10 times faster than traditional methods. Who is PhaseTree and What Do They Do? Copenhagen-based startup, PhaseTree, was founded in 2021 as […]