Research Highlights and Insights

The UK will need to step up research and deployment of new offshore carbon storage wells if it is to achieve the capacity required to deliver its net zero emissions plans, a new report says. Published by the Royal Society and led by University of Cambridge researchers, Locked Away – Geological Carbon Storage explores the latest evidence and technic…

Researchers have found that the irregular movement of lithium ions in next-generation battery materials could be reducing their capacity and hindering their performance. The team, led by the University of Cambridge, tracked the movement of lithium ions inside a promising new battery material in real time.  It had been assumed that the mechanism by …

Researchers have developed a machine learning algorithm that could help reduce charging times and prolong battery life in electric vehicles by predicting how different driving patterns affect battery performance, improving safety and reliability.The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, say their algorithm could help drivers, manufacturers…

Women and men balance their different responsibilities in different ways, something the pandemic has brought into sharp relief. Buildings designed without considering gender often benefit men and disadvantage women by default. On top of this are sustainability concerns around how much energy buildings use. To meet COP26 targets, energy efficiency o…

This work demonstrated how the Hilbert Huang Transform may be applied to analyse bioelectrochemical signals. Electrons from cyanobacteria photosynthetic and respiratory systems are implicated in current generated in biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices. However, the pathway that electrons follow to electrodes remains largely unknown, limiting progress of …

A collaboration between researchers from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London demonstrated that artificial leaves made of readily available oxide and carbon-based materials can produce hydrogen from water over several weeks. The leaves, which consist of a few light harvesting spots (that is, pixels) showed a higher performance ov…

A team of researchers from the UK and Japan has found that the tiny defects which limit the efficiency of perovskites – cheaper alternative materials for solar cells – are also responsible for structural changes in the material that lead to degradation.   The multi-disciplinary team of researchers used a combination of techniques to mimic the proce…

Researchers have developed a low-cost device that can selectively capture carbon dioxide gas while it charges. Then, when it discharges, the CO2 can be released in a controlled way and collected to be reused or disposed of responsibly.   The supercapacitor device, which is similar to a rechargeable battery, is the size of a two-pence coin, and is m…

By Diana Scarborough - Conference Artist in Residence   CONFERENCE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, 27 April 2022, Cambridge I was invited to be the Conference Artist-In-Resident for the Data Science and AI for Sustainability conference 2022, hosted by the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Energy and C2D3. This conference aimed to bring together academics,…

Researchers have used a widespread species of blue-green algae to power a microprocessor continuously for a year - and counting - using nothing but ambient light and water. Their system has potential as a reliable and renewable way to power small devices. The system, comparable in size to an AA battery, contains a type of non-toxic algae called Syn…

Dr Sam Stranks discusses the potential of novel materials for affordable, next-generation, solar power and lighting. Video: 1hr 2m,  The family of halide perovskites are generating enormous excitement as next-generation solar cells and lighting technologies that can be produced at extremely low cost on flexible spools — and allow us to rethink wha…

By Sandile-Mtetwa In 2021 Sandile Mtetwa (Department of Chemistry), Peace Adesina (Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) and Dr Ramit Debnath (Department of Architecture) were awarded a Small Grant by the Energy IRC for a project titled: ‘Energy Transition Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Using Ghana as a case study’. This was funded b…

Corrosion is a natural process that causes metals to deteriorate gradually over time. Exposure to air and water causes metals like steel to corrode, which can present an issue for large structures or smaller components we rely on in our daily lives.    In this 1m 45s video, Surabhi Agrawal, PhD candidate in Professor Stuart Clarke’s group, presents…

Cambridge Zero Climate Change Festival 2021 brought together people from all backgrounds to share solutions, explore new research and learning, and inspire global action. This year focussed on the important work the University’s communities are doing, especially in the run-up to COP26, the United Nations international climate change conference whic…

The Cambridge Zero Research Symposia launched a new series for Michaelmas Term 2021 with the theme of Climate Science on the 6th of October 2021. Bringing together academics and early career researchers, the afternoon showcased the latest research taking place in this field across the University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey. It highlig…