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Study Finds Increasing Political Divide Towards Solar Energy
Public support for solar energy, while still substantial, has shown a marked decline and increase in polarization from 2016 to 2022, primarily driven by opposition in Republican-leaning regions. This revelation comes from a new study led by researchers at North Carolina State University and published in the Journal of Computational Social Science. “The U.S. saw…
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Novel Battery Turns Nuclear Waste Into Energy Source
In a landmark study, researchers led by The Ohio State University have developed a battery capable of converting nuclear waste into electricity. The study, published in the journal Optical Materials: X, offers a promising solution to the longstanding problem of safely managing radioactive materials. Nuclear power plants provide approximately 20% of the United States’ electricity…
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Calling for Equity in EV Charging Infrastructure
As electric vehicles (EVs) gain traction in the global effort to combat climate change, the layout and accessibility of public charging stations are becoming increasingly scrutinized. At the forefront of this complex conversation is Xinwu Qian, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering expert at Rice University, who is leading research to ensure EV…
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New Sustainable System Extracts Drinkable Water From Air
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a sustainable system that pulls drinkable water from the air using common natural materials like discarded food scraps, stray branches and seashells. Their system, termed “molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels,” can convert various organic materials into sorbents — substances that absorb liquids. By combining these sorbents…
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New Sustainable Way to Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries
Researchers at the University of Leicester have crafted a new method to sustainably recycle lithium-ion batteries using an unlikely ingredient: cooking oil. This innovative technique could pave the way for more eco-friendly and cost-effective recycling processes crucial to advancing green technologies. The team, led by Andy Abbott, a professor of physical chemistry, and Jake Yang,…
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Stockholm University Researchers Develop Eco-Friendly Hair Conditioner
In an inspiring leap towards sustainable personal care, researchers at Stockholm University have developed a fully bio-based hair conditioner that leverages the natural properties of lignin gel emulsions. This innovative formulation offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional haircare products, which often rely on synthetic ingredients derived from petroleum and oleochemicals. Conventional hair…
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Better Geothermal Systems Key to Reliable Clean Energy
Traditionally, geothermal energy has been heavily dependent on favorable geographical conditions, such as hot, permeable rock formations and ample underground fluid reserves. This made geothermal exploration limited to volcanically active regions, including Japan, New Zealand and parts of the western United States. However, new advancements, originally developed for oilfields, hold the promise of unleashing geothermal…
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Breakthrough in Fog Harvesting Brings Hope to World’s Driest Regions
In a stark landscape where annual rainfall barely registers, scientists have pioneered a method that could transform water accessibility for tens of thousands living in arid regions. The study, published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, has demonstrated the effectiveness of “fog harvesting” as a viable water source in Chile’s Atacama Desert — one of the…
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New Study Warns Climate Change Impacting Global Cocoa Production
Cocoa is a critical cash crop for millions of smallholder farmers and supports a global chocolate industry worth over $100 billion annually. However, a new study led by the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Westlake University in China, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz in Brazil, and the University of Göttingen in Germany, warns that…