Category: Research

Czech researchers develop advanced photocathode to produce ethanol from sunlight

September 10, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In the Czech Republic, Czech researchers from Charles University, Prague, have developed an advanced photocathode that helps convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into pure ethanol using sunlight. The new technology solves a long-standing problem of material degradation in water, achieves record conversion efficiency, and opens the way toward sustainable production of green fuels. In laboratory tests, the new photocathode […]

University of Alabama researcher gets NSF grant to investigate ammonia-based additives in biofuels

September 9, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Alabama, fuels of tomorrow could burn faster, cleaner and more efficiently, thanks to research at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). An assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UAH, has received a $599,927 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award to investigate how ammonia-based additives […]

German researchers show how renewable methanol can be produced in water-scarce regions

September 8, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Germany, persistent heatwaves and below-average rainfall in spring and summer 2026 are causing noticeable drought, falling groundwater levels and low water levels in rivers such as the Rhine in Germany and across Europe. At the same time, producing important raw materials such as green hydrogen and methanol requires considerable quantities of water. If renewable […]

South Korean researchers dig deeper into GREET framework for biodiesel feedstocks

September 7, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In South Korea, not all biodiesel is equally sustainable. Its environmental impact depends strongly on the feedstock used and the way it is produced. This creates a complex decision-making landscape for policymakers and stakeholders, necessitating comprehensive life-cycle assessments (LCAs) of different biodiesel pathways. Although previous LCAs have compared biodiesel pathways, most have focused primarily on […]

Scientists turn mixed plastic waste into clean hydrogen

September 5, 2026 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In New York, Waste 360 reported that scientists in California and South Korea have developed a unique experimental method to manage mixed plastic waste by converting it into clean hydrogen while trapping carbon before it is released into the atmosphere. Study co-author Woo-Jae Kim, a professor at Ewha Womans University, Korea, believes the thermal technology […]

Research team launched to further develop CO2 use, hydrogen production and battery fuel cells

September 3, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Germany, the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the South Korean energy company SGC Energy are pooling their expertise to further develop processes for CO2 utilization and hydrogen production, as well as battery and fuel cell technologies. The partners have signed a […]

Swiss and USE researchers use sand to produce biopolymers

September 2, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Switzerland, excessive land use, deforestation, and climate change are leading to increased desertification in many regions of the world. Once started, the process often triggers a chain reaction: The loss of nutrients in the soil causes vegetation to become increasingly sparse, which exposes the soil to erosion by wind and water. Turning desert back […]

Czech researchers develop advanced photocathode to convert CO2 into ethanol

September 1, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In the Czech Republic, researchers at Charles University in Prague have developed an advanced photocathode that helps convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into pure ethanol using sunlight. The new technology solves a long-standing problem of material degradation in water, achieves record conversion efficiency and opens the way toward sustainable production of green fuels. The […]

Swiss researchers combine DAC with cement production

August 31, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Switzerland, cement is one of the most in-demand building materials of our time. Every year, around four billion tonnes are produced. Cement production is energy-intensive, and greenhouse gases are emitted during the process – particularly during the thermal decomposition of limestone, the most important natural raw material for cement. In a new study, ETH […]

UAE researchers are turning sand into a hydrogen catalyst

August 30, 2026 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In the UAE, Fast Company Middle East reported that researchers at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have developed a catalyst that combines desert sand, biochar made from date pits, and nickel for use in hydrogen production. The material was tested in methane decomposition, where it achieved a methane conversion rate of 38% at temperatures between […]

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