Numerous technologies exist to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and new companies are entering the field. But can CO2 ‘air capture’ scale up from a niche business to an industry that will lower atmospheric concentrations of CO2? BY NICOLA JONES
Cutting climate emissions from road resurfacing
In California, thin and frequent resurfacing is best for greenhouse gas output, study says
Record-breaking double star may be cannibalising itself
A binary star with the longest and most infrequent eclipses ever may bust the records because one star is stealing material from the other
Case made for 'ninth planet'
American astronomers say they have strong evidence that there is a ninth planet in our Solar System orbiting far beyond even the dwarf world Pluto.
Four new elements added to periodic table
In an event likely never to be repeated, four new superheavy elements were last week simultaneously added to the periodic table. To add four in one go is quite an achievement but the race to find more is ongoing. Back in 2012, the International Unions of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) tasked five independent … Read More
African Lights: Solar Microgrids Bring Power to Kenyan Villages
Small-scale microgrids are increasingly seen as the most promising way to bring electricity to the 1.3 billion people worldwide who currently lack it. In Kenya, an innovative solar company is using microgrids to deliver power to villages deep in the African bush.
Hoping for a Price Surge, Oil Companies Keep Wells in Reserve
Some drilled oil and natural gas wells across the country are currently not producing, but are ready to be tapped quickly if prices begin to rise.
An All Wind, Water, and Solar Grid Will Be Stable Without Batteries
The U.S. electrical grid could rely completely on solar, wind, and water power, and existing low-cost methods of storing energy—rather than than giant battery farms—could help make up for the erratic nature of the sources of that electricity, researchers say.
Grow your own way
A new study co-authored by an MIT economist suggests that international trade will do little to alleviate climate-induced farming problems. Instead, the report indicates that countries will have to alter their own patterns of crop production to lessen farming problems and even then, there will be significant net losses in production under the basic scenarios projected by climate scientists.
New camouflage mechanism fish use in the open ocean
Fish have a remarkable way to hide from their predators using camouflage techniques. A new study shows that fish scales have evolved to not only reflect light, but to also scramble polarization. Researchers identified the tissue structure that fish evolved to do this, which could be an analog to develop new materials to help hide objects in the water.