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

Solar panel close up

New approach topples major barrier to commercialisation of organic flow batteries

16 Jun 2022

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Harvard University have developed a method to dramatically extend the lifetime of organic aqueous...

Read more
Solar panels

Secret to treating ‘Achilles’ heel’ of alternatives to silicon solar panels revealed

24 May 2022

A team of researchers from the UK and Japan has found that the tiny defects which limit the efficiency of perovskites – cheaper alternative materials...

Read more
Two smiling scientists in a lab

Low-cost battery-like device absorbs CO2 emissions while it charges

19 May 2022

Researchers have developed a low-cost device that can selectively capture carbon dioxide gas while it charges. Then, when it discharges, the CO2 can...

Read more

Professor Christopher Howe, left, and Dr Paolo Bombelli, right

Algae-powered computing: scientists create reliable and renewable biological photovoltaic cell

12 May 2022

Researchers have used a widespread species of blue-green algae to power a microprocessor continuously for a year – and counting – using nothing but...

Read more

Opinion: Russian gas will fund Putin’s war

08 Mar 2022

Would Europe cutting off Russian oil and gas imports be enough to convince Putin to stop the war on Ukraine? According to Dr Chi Kong Chyong from the...

Read more
3D-printed custom electrodes

Tiny ‘skyscrapers’ help bacteria convert sunlight into electricity

07 Mar 2022

Researchers have made tiny ‘skyscrapers’ for communities of bacteria, helping them to generate electricity from just sunlight and water.

Read more

Computer generated image of enzyme

New, nature-inspired concepts for turning CO2 into clean fuels

28 Feb 2022

Researchers have developed an efficient concept to turn carbon dioxide into clean, sustainable fuels, without any unwanted by-products or waste.

Read more
Xavier Moya

Zero-carbon refrigeration spin-out sets its sights on environmentally-friendly heating systems

16 Feb 2022

Zero-carbon refrigeration pioneer Barocal has secured a £1.3 million investment to accelerate commercialisation of its novel technology designed to...

Read more

Scientists develop fully woven, smart display

10 Feb 2022

Researchers have developed a 46-inch (116cm) woven display with smart sensors, energy harvesting and storage integrated directly into the fabric.

Read more

Exterior of Bath Abbey

Historic buildings could use solar panels to protect from rising energy costs

03 Feb 2022

Installing solar panels could help historic buildings beat the rising costs of energy, according to a new study.

Read more
Artist's impression of formamidinium (FA)-based crystal

Templating approach stabilises ‘ideal’ material for alternative solar cells

23 Dec 2021

Researchers have developed a method to stabilise a promising material known as perovskite for cheap solar cells, without compromising its near-...

Read more
Artistic representation of electrons funneling into high quality areas of perovskite material

Mystery of high-performing solar cell materials revealed in stunning clarity

22 Nov 2021

Researchers have visualised, for the first time, why perovskites – materials which could replace silicon in next-generation solar cells - are...

Read more

Pages