Energy

Which technologies will enable a cleaner steel industry?

Technologies like hydrogen-based direct reduction of ore, electrolysis, and advanced furnace technologies could reduce steel emissions.

Daniel Boero Vargas and Mandy Chan | World Economic Forum

Two offshore wind turbines amid turbulent sea waves under a cloudy sky.

Clean Energy

Six innovative ways to float skyscraper-sized wind turbines

While most offshore wind farms are firmly rooted in the seabed, engineers are developing new ways to float enormous wind turbines.

Emma C. Edwards

Oil pumpjack operating in the oil fields under a twilight sky.

Disaster Response

Shining a light on oil fields to make them more sustainable

Sensors and analytics give oil well operators real-time alerts when things go wrong, so they can respond before they become disasters.

Zach Winn | MIT News Office

A bright green, waffle-shaped hydrogel in a petri dish

Ecosystems

This “living material” self-destructs and cleans up polluted water

A 3D-printed “living material” packed with genetically engineered bacteria could be an eco-friendly way to clean up polluted water.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

MIT students develop energy “mini-grid” software for remote & mountainous areas

MIT Energy Initiative spinoff Waya Energy helps countries work toward universal, cheap access to electricity.

Deborah Halber | MIT Energy Initiative

A termite mound towering in the middle of a desert.

Climate Crisis

Termite mounds inspire climate-friendly air conditioning

The intricate designs of termite mounds show how to maintain a comfortable climate, without using any power.

Sam Jarman

A satellite image of a cloudy sky with ocean warming.

Climate Crisis

Reduction in air pollution may be accelerating ocean warming

Recent ocean warming may be the result of IMO 2020, a rule that dramatically reduced air pollution from the shipping industry.

Kristin Houser

A picture of a burning iron flame in a metal frame.

Clean Energy

Can we burn metal for heat, instead of fossil fuels?

Researchers are looking at ways of boosting the efficiency of burning iron so that the metal can be used as an alternative energy source.

Sachin Rawat

An enhanced geothermal system viewed from above

Clean Energy

Google-backed startup sets two world records in geothermal power

Google-backed startup Fervo Energy has successfully tested a record-breaking enhanced geothermal system in Nevada.

Kristin Houser

A solar tower in the middle of a desert.

Series| Hard Reset Podcast

Hard Reset Podcast: Heliogen | Episode #3

43:16

This startup is creating endless energy with something you'd never guess: the color blue.

A close up of a blue crab with its mouth open, showcasing its natural energy storage systems.

Batteries

Crab shells boost the lifespan of zinc-ion batteries

A zinc-ion battery containing crab shells could serve as the foundation for future renewable energy storage systems.

Kristin Houser

An aerial view of wind turbines in the ocean.

Clean Energy

The world needs hundreds of thousands more offshore wind turbines – where will they all go?

The huge expansion of offshore wind farms required to meet net zero targets may be achievable, if we can find the right place to put them.

Susan Gourvenec and Fraser Sturt and Hugo Putuhena

Clean Energy

Using electric water heaters to store energy could do the work of 2 million home batteries

As we work towards fully electric households, have we overlooked a key enabling technology, the humble electric water heater?

David Roche

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