marine energy
Sea-energy projects in the South West have received a boost through £10.3 million in research funding for the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE). Established two years ago by the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter with funding from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), PRIMaRE will
supercomputers
IBM’s “virtual supercomputer” for humanitarian research — the World Community Grid — has earned the company Business in the Community’s (BITC) Coffey International Award, which recognises innovative programmes designed to help meet one of the United Nations’ Millenium Development Goals. HRH The Prince of Wales, President of BITC, presented awards
Scientists in Spain have found a way to make you invisible … but only if those looking at you have unusual eyes that view the world via very low-frequency electromagnetic light waves. Researchers from the physics department of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona say they can achieve this certain kind of
hydrogen
Converting used cooking oil into fuel — old story, right? Not when the fuel you’re talking about is hydrogen. Engineers at the University of Leeds say they’re developing a system that could let us extract hydrogen from waste materials like vegetable oil and the glycerol by-product of biodiesel. If
global warming
The best way to combat climate change is for the world to adopt Japan-style policies to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise the energy supply, according to a new report from a worldwide consortium of research institutes. The report’s authors argue that approach is better than a model based on
Bacteria promise a new way to turn urinals green … but not in the way you might think. That’s because we’re not talking dirty, slimy green, but eco-efficient, water-conserving green, thanks to envii bacterial urinal tablets. While urinals offer men around the world no-flush convenience, the fixtures still automatically
carbon emissions
Starting today, communities across the UK will be able to use an award-winning online tool to help them measure their carbon emissions. The tool, developed by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), was previously available only to communities in the East of England via the Cut your Carbon campaign
wind energy
Loughborough-based wind turbine firm Evance hopes to grab a slice of the fast-growing US small-wind market with a new distributor. DC Power Systems of the US will market Evance’s Iskra R9000 5-kilowatt turbine in the US through its network of 250 dealers. The distributor expects home owners, light commercial
carbon dioxide
High levels of carbon dioxide cause fish to grow abnormally large ear bones — known as otoliths — according to new research from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California – San Diego. Otoliths serve a vital function in fish by helping them sense orientation and acceleration. Before conducting their
Jurdy plugs energy savings the wrong way …
solar energy
Cambridge University has unveiled a solar-powered car that’s touted as Britain’s brightest hope for a 3,000-kilometre race across the Australian Outback this autumn. Previously codenamed “Bethany,” but launched under its official name — “Endeavour” — the solar racing car reaches speeds of 60 mph using the same power as
waste heat
Demonstrations are set to begin on an innovative industrial waste-heat recovery system that’s designed to dramatically increase the efficiency and output of a biogas power plant. The demonstration by GE Energy and energy developer ECOS Ltd. will take place at a 7.2-megawatt biogas plant in the eastern Slovenia
