News

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...

Energy Transitions Small Grants awarded

Energy Transitions IRC has awarded small grants to six collaborative, multi-disciplinary projects each of value up to £2k, involving researchers working in different disciplines, on the theme of energy transitions. Financial support has been gratefully provided by the Isaac Newton Trust and Energy Policy Research Group (...

Low-cost imaging technique for battery development and energy storage established by University of Cambridge researchers

Low-cost imaging technique shows how smartphone batteries could charge in minutes

Researchers have developed a simple lab-based technique that allows them to look inside lithium-ion batteries and follow lithium ions moving in real time as the batteries charge and discharge, something which has not been possible until now. Using the low-cost technique, the University of Cambridge researchers identified...

Professor Clare Grey awarded €1 million Körber Prize

The Körber European Science Prize 2021, worth one million euros, is to be awarded to University of Cambridge chemist Professor Clare Grey, one of the UK’s leading battery researchers. Professor Clare Grey , Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry , has been recognised by the Körber European Science for her work in battery...