The world's shift towards electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will require a huge demand for critical metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and platinum. This demand will have economic and supply-chain consequences, according to new research from Cornell University. Discover how countries can manage this demand and promote a circular economy for critical metals.

"Rocks are becoming rocks again!" says chemist Peter Psarras from the Clean Energy Conversions Lab (CECL) at the University of Pennsylvania. Psarras and his team are turning waste from industrial mines into magnesium carbonate through a carbon-neutral and inexpensive process, with the goal of storing CO2. With five partner mines, the CECL lab, funded by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, is exploring the environmental potential of mine tailings and determining the scalability of the carbonation process. Join Psarras and the CECL in their mission to tap into the "moved mountain" of waste and be inspired by their cutting-edge technology.

Scientists at A\*STAR's IMRE have successfully upcycled PET plastic waste into polymer electrolytes, which are key components for safer LiBs. This paves the way for a future powered by more sustainable energy, creating a circular economy while combating the mounting plastic waste issue. The team aims to advance the technology for upcycling waste plastics on a larger scale to create components for eco-friendly batteries.

"Reverse Ocean Acidification: A Solution to Our Carbon Dioxide Problem?" - As carbon dioxide emissions continue to threaten our planet, researchers at MIT may have found an innovative way to remove the gas from ocean water in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The versatility of their membrane-free electrochemical cell process could even lead to overall net negative emissions, reversing ocean acidification caused by carbon dioxide buildup.

Are you interested in using your creativity and problem-solving skills to make a positive impact on the world? Then a career in chemical engineering might be right up your alley! Chemical engineering is a field that combines knowledge of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to design and develop new products and processes. As a chemical engineer, you could work in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, energy, food and beverage, and more. For example, you might work on developing new medicines to treat diseases, or on designing more efficient and sustainable ways to produce energy. One exciting aspect of chemical engineering is the potential for innovation and discovery. For example, chemical engineers have been instrumental in developing new materials like graphene, which has the potential to revolutionize industries from electronics to transportation. In terms of day-to-day duties, chemical engineers might be involved in everything from designing experiments and analyzing data to overseeing production processes and troubleshooting problems that arise. There are also many areas of specialization within the field, such as materials science, process design, and environmental engineering. To become a chemical engineer, you'll typically need to earn a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Some popular undergraduate programs include the chemical engineering programs at MIT, UC Berkeley, and the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to technical knowledge, there are a few personal attributes that can be helpful in a career in chemical engineering. These include strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively. As for job prospects, chemical engineering is a field with plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement. Some notable employers include companies like Procter & Gamble, ExxonMobil, and DuPont, as well as government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. In conclusion, if you're interested in using your scientific knowledge to make a difference in the world, a career in chemical engineering might be the perfect fit for you. With plenty of opportunities for innovation and growth, this field offers the chance to make a real impact on society and the environment. So why not explore this exciting career path today?

New research shows that the cost of annual flooding in the UK could increase by up to 23% over the next century due to climate change, unless all international pledges to reduce carbon emissions are met. The study, led by the University of Bristol and Fathom, highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the impact of climate change on the risk of flooding across the UK. The research also identifies the areas of the UK where risks will increase the most, including densely populated cities such as London, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

Batteries are a crucial part of our modern lives, powering everything from our smartphones to our cars. But the production and disposal of batteries have significant environmental impacts, from toxic chemicals and heavy metals to greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, there are sustainable options and alternatives to batteries that can help mitigate these negative effects. One such option is kinetic energy, which converts motion into electricity. For example, the piezoelectric effect harnesses energy from pressure, while the triboelectric effect converts friction into electricity. Another alternative to batteries is supercapacitors, which store energy in an electric field rather than a chemical reaction. They charge and discharge quickly and have a longer lifespan than traditional batteries. These sustainable options and alternatives to batteries are being researched and developed by leading academics in the field of materials science and engineering. Dr. Jennifer Lewis, a professor of biologically inspired engineering at Harvard University, is leading a team that is working on creating 3D-printed energy storage devices using a hydrogel-based ink. Meanwhile, Dr. Yi Cui at Stanford University is researching how to improve the energy density and safety of solid-state batteries. By exploring academic topics like materials science and engineering, students can learn about the properties of different materials and how they can be manipulated to create sustainable technologies. You can also learn about the environmental impact of technology and how sustainable alternatives can mitigate these effects. In conclusion, sustainable alternatives to batteries offer exciting opportunities for innovation and environmental sustainability. By exploring academic topics related to these technologies, high school students can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind sustainable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Scientists at MIT have developed a process that could significantly reduce the cost of using carbon capture to fight global warming by drawing CO2 out of seawater. The process could appeal to small nations whose economies rely on tourism, aquaculture, and fishing industries that could be severely damaged by climate change. Another company, Captura Corp., is also working on a similar process and has received financial support from Saudi Arabian Oil Co. and a $1 million grant from a carbon removal XPRIZE competition.

Researchers have powered a microprocessor for a year using blue-green algae and ambient light! This system, comparable in size to an AA battery, has the potential to be a reliable and renewable way to power small devices. The growing Internet of Things needs power, and this system generates energy instead of simply storing it like batteries. The algae system is made of common and recyclable materials, making it easily replicable.

Traditional diamond mining is a billion-dollar industry with significant environmental impact, releasing large amounts of carbon emissions and causing damage to local ecosystems worldwide. However, carbon-negative diamonds are produced through a process that actually captures carbon emissions from the atmosphere, making them a much more sustainable alternative for the jewellery industry.  Aether Diamonds, a major player in this industry, uses direct-capture technology for diamond production in a two-step process. First, a reactor is used to extract the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while this raw carbon material is placed in another reactor that kickstarts the diamond-growing process. The resulting diamonds are visually indistinguishable from traditionally-mined diamonds and have the same physical and chemical properties, but have been produced with a much lower carbon footprint.  This ingenious solution reimagines existing carbon-capture services, where firms are paid by various multinational corporations to capture their carbon emissions, by recycling this extracted carbon dioxide for an inventive purpose. By eliminating 20 tons of carbon dioxide for every 1-carat diamond produced, each diamond can actively contribute to carbon emission reduction efforts.  Beyond the jewelry industry, researchers have used a similar process to produce important industrial materials from carbon. Dr. Stuart Licht, a chemistry professor at George Washington University, is a leading academic in this field of renewable technology. His patented technology, the Solar Thermal Electrochemical Photo (STEP) energy conversion, captures carbon dioxide using renewable solar energy to create carbon nanofibers. This material provides a lighter and stronger alternative to metals like steel, and is used in luxury sports cars, aeroplanes like the Boeing Dreamliner, and high-end athletic equipment. These creative uses of carbon-capture technology offer a promising future, especially with carbon-negative diamonds for the sustainable fashion industry. Beyond that, these diamonds also offer a more ethical alternative — sustainable diamond production avoids the international human rights abuses and violence that traditional diamond mining has been linked to.  All in all, carbon-negative diamonds have the potential to revolutionize the sustainable fashion industry and beyond, and are a fascinating scientific innovation with many exciting future implications.

As our understanding of the climate crisis deepens, it becomes increasingly important to explore non-fossil fuel sources of energy. Nuclear power is one such source that has a proven record as a non-fossil energy source, providing a reliable power baseline that can meet energy needs as we transition away from fossil fuels. While nuclear energy is not a solution to climate change, it emits no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases once up and running. However, it can be dangerous if safety protocols are not followed, and highly radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants is challenging to store safely. Despite these challenges, nuclear power remains hard to ignore as a potential energy source. By exploring nuclear energy, students can gain a deeper understanding of the benefits and risks associated with this technology, and contribute to the ongoing conversation around how to meet our energy needs while mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases that is causing global warming and climate change. It stays in the atmosphere for much longer than other gases such as methane, which only stays in the atmosphere for about 12 years, while CO2 can remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years. Leading climate scientists such as Dr. James Hansen agree that increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are causing global temperatures to rise, leading to melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense natural disasters such as hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires. Decarbonization is the process of reducing the carbon footprint of our economy by transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This is crucial in order to prevent dangerous levels of global warming and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. One promising innovation in the field of decarbonization is carbon capture and storage (CCS), which involves capturing CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial processes and storing them underground. Another is the development of electric vehicles, which produce zero emissions and have the potential to greatly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Leading academics in the field, such as Dr. David McCollum, have emphasized the importance of decarbonization in limiting global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, a threshold beyond which the impacts of climate change would become catastrophic and irreversible.

Did you know that visiting a website can generate up to 10 times the recommended carbon emissions? Learn how businesses are reducing their web carbon footprint through renewable hosting and optimizing web design. Discover the tools that can help you calculate your website's environmental impact and explore the case study of a product design studio that reduced its homepage carbon emissions by 96%.

Perovskite solar cells are a game-changer in the world of renewable energy. These cells are made from a material called perovskite, which is a type of mineral that can be easily manufactured and is highly efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. Did you know that perovskite solar cells have been shown to be more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity compared to traditional silicon solar cells? In just a few short years, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells has increased from just 3.8% to over 25%! This rapid improvement is thanks to the work of leading academics in the field, including Professor Henry Snaith of the University of Oxford, who was one of the first researchers to demonstrate the potential of perovskite solar cells. Not only are perovskite solar cells more efficient, they are also much cheaper to produce than traditional silicon solar cells. This means that they have the potential to make renewable energy more accessible to people all over the world. So what makes perovskite solar cells so special? It all comes down to their unique structure. Unlike silicon solar cells, which have a rigid structure, perovskite solar cells have a flexible structure that allows them to absorb more light. This flexibility also means that they can be made into different shapes and sizes, making them easier to integrate into a variety of applications, from rooftop solar panels to portable solar chargers. In conclusion, perovskite solar cells are a promising technology that has the potential to revolutionize the renewable energy industry. With their high efficiency and low cost of production, they are poised to make a significant impact on the world's energy supply and help to combat climate change. Whether you are interested in science, engineering, or the environment, there is something for everyone in the world of perovskite solar cells. So why not take a closer look and discover the possibilities for yourself?

The future of resource extraction lies in space exploration. Asteroids, leftovers from the formation of the planet 4.5 billion years ago, contain rare and precious materials such as platinum, iron, and nickel. The mining industry on Earth is harmful to the environment and people, but space mining could provide a clean and sustainable alternative. Cheaper space travel is necessary to make asteroid mining profitable, and scientists and economists are working on solutions such as electric spaceships. Once a stable asteroid is secured, space mining and processing equipment can extract valuable materials through a process that uses giant mirrors to focus sunlight and heat up asteroid rock. Even a small percentage of a single asteroid's mass in precious metals could be worth billions of dollars. The benefits of space exploration and asteroid mining are vast, and the possibilities for discovery and innovation are endless.

Scientists at SLAC and Stanford have found a way to generate low-carbon fuel from seawater by extracting hydrogen through a double-membrane system and electricity. Their innovative design could help advance efforts to produce clean energy and store energy for weeks, months or longer for electric grids. The study also provided a better understanding of how seawater ions move through membranes, which could help scientists design stronger membranes for other applications.

The world is constantly changing, and as high school students, it is essential to be aware of the problems that need solutions. Vinisha Umashankar, a 14-year-old from India, noticed the pollution caused by charcoal usage in the metal irons of street vendors and decided to take action. She designed an ironing cart powered by solar energy, eliminating the use of charcoal, deforestation, air pollution, and respiratory diseases caused by the traditional method. Learning about solar energy and sustainable solutions like Vinisha's can benefit you not only intellectually but practically as well. By exploring these concepts further, you can contribute to creating a better world for yourself and the generations to come.

Coffee capsules - environmentally unfriendly or misunderstood? A study by the University of Quebec debunks the notion that coffee pods are wasteful and highlights their potential as a more sustainable way to enjoy your daily cup of joe.

Glass is a material that we use every day, but have you ever wondered how it works? Glass is made from silicon dioxide, which is heated until it becomes a flowing liquid. As it cools, the molecules lose energy and become an amorphous solid, allowing light to pass through without being scattered. The subatomic level of glass is what makes it transparent, as the electrons in glass are spaced far enough apart that visible light can't provide enough energy for them to jump between them. This unique property has made glass an essential material for many uses, from windows to lenses. Understanding the science behind glass can help you appreciate the importance of this material in modern civilization.

Imperial researchers have found that integrating solar and battery power in refugee camps can drastically reduce fuel expenditure and emissions while also boosting the local economy. The system, funded in part by a grant from the UKRI Global Challenges and Research Fund, could provide reliable access to electricity for more people. Find out how this innovative solution can improve the lives of displaced people.