Energy
Energy powers civilization. Developing technologies that can deliver abundant, sustainable energy is the challenge of our time and the promise of our future. Failure is not an option.
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Charting the evolution of nuclear energy
Nuclear fission’s stalled growth might give way to fusion’s clean energy potential
The master plan to end EV “range anxiety” forever
A look at the history of EV charging and the tech trends that could encourage more people to make the switch to an electric car.
The startup using balloons to cool the planet
A look at the history of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), the arguments against it, and the startup putting it into action right now.
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Google AI is searching the world for methane leaks from space
Google will provide computing resources to MethaneSAT, a project to identify climate-harming methane leaks from space.
How electron beams could jumpstart the nuclear industry
Electron beam welding could accelerate manufacturing of small modular reactors, helping make nuclear power a part of our clean energy future.
Mega solar farms could make it rain in deserts
A new study suggests that gigantic solar farms could be used to create “heat islands” that make rain locally.
Cobalt-free batteries could power cars of the future
A new lithium-ion battery that includes a cathode based on organic materials could offer a more sustainable way to power electric cars.
Fusion reactor break world record in final experiment
The JET tokamak set a new world record for generating energy from nuclear fusion during its final experiment.
Battery electric trucks offer emission cuts of 75-85% over their entire life cycle
A civil and environment engineer weighs in on whether electric trucks are our best bet to cut road transport emissions.
A new way to swiftly eliminate micropollutants from water
Scientists at MIT are using zwitterionic hydrogels to sustainably capture both organic and inorganic micropollutants from water.
NASA lays out the path to space-based solar power
A NASA study found that space-based solar power is likely far too expensive, but it also details what would need to happen to make it work.
Are EVs really cheaper to own? It all depends on the model.
While electric vehicles (EVs) have higher upfront costs, some claim they are cheaper over their lifetimes due to lower fuel and maintenance costs.
Swiss startup unveils the world’s first hydrogen VTOL jet
Swiss startup Sirius Aviation has unveiled a hydrogen VTOL it says could carry three passengers more than 1,000 miles without refueling.
Microsoft AI discovers 18 new battery materials in two weeks
Using AI and cloud computing, Microsoft was able to quickly identify 18 promising battery materials for the Department of Energy.
Does it work to pay people not to cut the forest?
Evidence that paying people to save trees, preserve ecosystems and reduce carbon emissions is scarce. But it can succeed if it’s done right.
Bioengineers design a new plant to purify air faster than nature
Neoplants has bioengineered a pothos plant that removes 30 times more pollutants from the air than a regular houseplant.
Gallium: The liquid metal that could transform soft electronics
By harnessing the unusual properties of a liquid metal called gallium, scientists could create a new generation of flexible devices.
How much CO2 can the world emit while keeping warming below 1.5°C and 2°C?
Researchers estimate how much more CO2 we can emit to keep temperatures below 1.5°C and 2°C to combat climate change.
This startup wants to track soil carbon with AI and satellites
Boomitra’s remote sensing technology combines data from Earth and space to verify when carbon is coming out of the air.
Microsoft is training an AI to help get nuclear reactors approved
Microsoft is training an AI to generate the paperwork needed to get next-gen nuclear reactors approved by regulators.
Light may cause water to evaporate (even without heat)
MIT researchers propose a new phenomenon that causes to water evaporate without heat. They call it the “photomolecular effect.”
Plants are likely to absorb more CO₂ in a changing climate than we thought – here’s why
New research shows that plants might take up more CO₂ than previously thought, but still can’t do the heavy lifting to stop climate change.
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