Research News
The Research news feed includes stories about new climate change and energy research from research press releases, Nature Publishing Group, and ScienceDaily.
Elsevier launches Geofacets
(Elsevier) Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the launch of Geofacets, a search and discovery tool which delivers relevant content from Elsevier's market-leading earth sciences journals.
Sun and volcanic eruptions pace North Atlantic climate swings
Changes in solar intensity and volcanic eruptions act as a metronome for temperature variations in the North Atlantic climate, according to new research. Scientists studied the climate in the North Atlantic region over the past 600 years using the Bergen Climate Model and the observed temperature evolution.
Energy Express focus issue: Thin-film photovoltaic materials and devices
(Optical Society of America) Developing renewable energy sources has never been more important, and solar photovoltaic technologies show great potential in this field. They convert direct sunlight into electricity with little impact on the environment. This field is constantly advancing, developing technologies that can convert power more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Texas A&M researcher returns to Deepwater Horizon site
(Texas A&M University) John Kessler, a Texas A&M University oceanographer who reported in June elevated levels of methane from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, returned to the area aboard the NOAA ship Pisces Sept. 9.
Biofuel from inedible plant material easier to produce following enzyme discovery
(Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) Researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council have discovered key plant enzymes that normally make the energy stored in wood, straw, and other non-edible parts of plants difficult to extract.
MIT researchers develop a way to funnel solar energy
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Using carbon nanotubes (hollow tubes of carbon atoms), MIT chemical engineers have found a way to concentrate solar energy 100 times more than a regular photovoltaic cell. Such nanotubes could form antennas that capture and focus light energy, potentially allowing much smaller and more powerful solar arrays.
Main climate threat from carbon dioxide sources yet to be built
New energy-efficient or carbon-free technologies can help cut carbon dioxide emissions, but what about the power plants, cars, trucks, and other fossil-fuel-burning devices already in operation? Unless forced into early retirement, they will emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for decades to come.
Untiring dedication to solar energy
(Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres) Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Schock, department head and spokesman for Solar Energy Research at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, received the prestigious "Becquerel Prize" at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Valencia. The EU Commission honored the HZB scientist for his life's work in the field of photovoltaics.
In order to save biodiversity, society's behavior must change, leading conservationists warn
Conservation scientists and practitioners have come together to advocate a fundamental shift in the way we view biodiversity. They argue that unless people recognize the link between their consumption choices and biodiversity loss, the diversity of life on Earth will continue to decline.
Energy technologies not enough to sufficiently reduce carbon emissions, expert concludes
Current energy technologies are not enough to reduce carbon emissions to a level needed to lower the risks associated with climate change, a physicist concludes in a new evaluation.