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. 

Cambridge Zero

26 Nov 2019

If we are to avert a climate disaster, we must sharply reduce our emissions, starting today. Cambridge Zero, the University's ambitious new climate...

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Cambridge Green

20 Nov 2019

From removing ruminant meat from its menus to building ‘green’ buildings, the University of Cambridge is weaving sustainability into its very fabric...

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Laboratory experiment of a cross-ventilated room

Wind more effective than cold air at cooling rooms naturally

20 Nov 2019

The effectiveness of non-mechanical, low-energy methods for moderating temperature and humidity has been evaluated in a series of experiments by...

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Artist's impression of perovskite structures

‘Messy’ production of perovskite material increases solar cell efficiency

11 Nov 2019

Discovery means simpler and cheaper manufacturing methods are actually beneficial for the material’s use in next-generation solar cells or LED...

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Artificial leaf

‘Artificial leaf’ successfully produces clean gas

21 Oct 2019

A widely-used gas that is currently produced from fossil fuels can instead be made by an ‘artificial leaf’ that uses only sunlight, carbon dioxide...

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Air conditioner

Electronic solid could reduce carbon emissions in fridges and air conditioners

09 Oct 2019

A promising replacement for the toxic and flammable greenhouse gases that are used in most refrigerators and air conditioners has been identified by...

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Opinion: Betting on speculative geoengineering may risk an escalating ‘climate debt crisis’

18 Jul 2019

Professor Mike Hulme and Dr Shinichiro Asayama from Cambridge's Department of Geography discuss the climate 'debt crisis' and why geoengineering may...

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Washable, wearable battery-like devices could be woven directly into clothes

16 May 2019

Washable, wearable ‘batteries’: based on cheap, safe and environmentally-friendly inks and woven directly into fabrics, have been developed by...

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Air-conditioning units

Green material for refrigeration identified

18 Apr 2019

Researchers from the UK and Spain have identified an eco-friendly solid that could replace the inefficient and polluting gases used in most...

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Green tech startups see boost in patents and investment when partnering with government – study

18 Mar 2019

Collaboration between government and startups could help meet the climate challenge while growing small businesses. Findings could inform discussions...

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Cambridge spin-out starts producing graphene at commercial scale

12 Mar 2019

A recent University of Cambridge spin-out company, Paragraf, has started producing graphene – a sheet of carbon just one atomic layer thick – at up...

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Artistic impression of the perovskite-polymer heterostructure used in LEDs

New efficiency record set for perovskite LEDs

05 Nov 2018

Researchers have set a new efficiency record for LEDs based on perovskite semiconductors, rivalling that of the best organic LEDs (OLEDs).

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