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Countdown to COP26 - University of Cambridge research

Countdown to COP26 What will it take to make the high-stakes climate summit a success?

COP26 - the United Nations climate conference - starts in Glasgow in just a few days. The Office of External Affairs and Communications spoke with some of the University's researchers and asked them what they want to see at COP26, what some of the biggest challenges are in getting to zero carbon, and what gives them hope...

University of Cambridge researchers have identified a key mechanism responsible for the lower efficiencies of organic solar cells and shown a way that this hurdle might be overcome.

Researchers identify and clear efficiency hurdle for organic solar cells

Researchers have identified a key mechanism responsible for the lower efficiencies of organic solar cells and shown a way that this hurdle might be overcome. The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, identified a loss pathway in organic solar cells which makes them less efficient than silicon-based cells at...

Cambridge researchers elected Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering

Four researchers from the University of Cambridge are among the leading figures in engineering and technology elected as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Professors Holger Babinsky, Andrea Ferrari, Rob Miller and Rachel Oliver have been elected in this year’s intake, which consists of 60 Fellows, four...

European lakes potential hotspots of microplastic pollution

A study this month suggests that human activity and land use in areas surrounding lakes drive significant microplastic pollution in lake water. Researchers, led by Dr Andrew Tanentzap in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences, found that the concentration of microparticles - plastics and fibres - in...

The device combines tiny semiconductor nanocrystals called quantum dots and gold nanoparticles using molecular glue

Nano ‘camera’ made using molecular glue allows real-time monitoring of chemical reactions

Researchers have made a tiny camera, held together with ‘molecular glue’ that allows them to observe chemical reactions in real time. The device, made by a team from the University of Cambridge, combines tiny semiconductor nanocrystals called quantum dots and gold nanoparticles using molecular glue called cucurbituril (CB...

Four University of Cambridge researchers recognised in the Breakthrough Prize

Four Cambridge researchers recognised in the 2022 Breakthrough Prizes

Four University of Cambridge researchers – Professors Shankar Balasubramanian, David Klenerman, Suchitra Sebastian and Jack Thorne – have been recognised by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation for their outstanding scientific achievements. Prof Suchitra Sebastian (Cavendish Laboratory) and Prof Jack Thorne (Dept of Pure...

Energy researcher who wants to build better to consume less

Against a global backdrop of rising energy demands and finite resources, Rihab Khalid set out to understand how buildings can become more energy efficient. As a result, she now advocates for building and energy policies that consider cultural differences and address the needs of women. When I was first introduced to energy...

University announces launch of Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) – building an interactive simulator to help achieve net zero flight

Cambridge-led team developing a simulator to help reach net zero flight

University announces launch of Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) – a team of experts in aerospace, economics, policy, and climate science, who are building an interactive simulator to help achieve net zero flight. The simulator will capture the whole aviation sector, from the sources of renewable electricity and raw...

Key UK solutions and policy actions for immediate implementation for net zero by 2050

Scientists set out immediate actions and future research priorities to help UK to reach net zero target

A new paper by leading UK scientists sets out key solutions and policy actions that should be implemented now, as well as priority research areas for the next decade, if the UK is to reach its net zero target by 2050. Achieving this target will require a mix of technological, societal and nature-based solutions working...

Electric roads will help cut UK road freight emissions - Centre for Sustainable Road Freight team has proposed that building an 'electric road system' could be used to decarbonise 65% of UK lorry kilometres travelled by 2040.

Cambridge expertise joins major study on proposed electrification of UK motorways

The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight – a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Heriot-Watt and Westminster Universities and a consortium of industry partners – is part of a team that has been awarded government funding to design a large-scale electric road freight system demonstrator. The feasibility study...