Topic description and stories

Research is tackling the need to reduce energy demand, maintain energy supply, increase the efficiency of energy-requiring processes, and develop policy and pricing strategies. To find out more about our research in energy, visit the Energy Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) website. 

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10 Cambridge spinouts forging a future for our planet

25 Oct 2024

10 companies taking Cambridge ideas out of the lab and into the real world to address the climate emergency.

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Planet earth

Cambridge is forging a future for our planet

21 Oct 2024

Find out how Cambridge's pioneering research in climate and nature is regenerating nature, rewiring energy, rethinking transport and redefining...

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A row of clean energy trucks, wind turbines in the background

How road haulage is navigating the route to net zero

11 Oct 2024

Responsible for 8% of world carbon emissions, can trucking clean up its act?

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Trash into treasure: making clean fuel from waste and sunlight

09 Oct 2024

Professor Erwin Reisner and his team are developing prototype devices that convert waste, water and air into practical fuels and chemicals.

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The cost of solar power: how low can we go?

08 Oct 2024

Professor Sam Stranks is developing next-generation solar cell technology, which could drive down renewable energy prices even further.

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Digital image depicting a green battery

What does it take to make a better battery?

01 Oct 2024

Cambridge researchers are working to solve one of technology’s biggest puzzles: how to build next-generation batteries that could power a green...

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Gold mine in Rondonia, Amazonian Brazil

Thousands of birds and fish threatened by mining for clean energy transition

26 Jul 2024

Our increasing demand for metals and minerals is putting over four thousand vertebrate species at risk, with the raw materials needed for clean...

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Multi-coloured jelly batteries being stretched by two hands

Soft, stretchy ‘jelly batteries’ inspired by electric eels

17 Jul 2024

Researchers have developed soft, stretchable ‘jelly batteries’ that could be used for wearable devices or soft robotics, or even implanted in the...

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Abstract orange swirls on a black background

A simple ‘twist’ improves the engine of clean fuel generation

24 Apr 2024

Researchers have found a way to super-charge the ‘engine’ of sustainable fuel generation – by giving the materials a little twist.

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Left to right: Clare Grey, Xinyu Liu, Alex Forse

Mess is best: disordered structure of battery-like devices improves performance

18 Apr 2024

The energy density of supercapacitors – battery-like devices that can charge in seconds or a few minutes – can be improved by increasing the ‘...

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Seaweeds showing structural colour

Shimmering seaweeds and algae antennae: sustainable energy solutions under the sea

22 Feb 2024

How could tiny antennae attached to tiny algae speed up the transition away from fossil fuels? This is one of the questions being studied by...

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Robot arm and semiconductor

£11m semiconductor research centre could be key player in UK’s net zero mission

13 Feb 2024

The University of Cambridge is a partner in the new £11m Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) REWIRE, set to deliver pioneering semiconductor...

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