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Cold climate wind energy showing huge potential

Wind energy capacity is growing rapidly in the cold climates of the world. According to the latest forecasts, between 45 and 50 gigawatts of wind energy will be built in cold climates by 2017, which would mean an increase of as much as 72 per cent since the end of 2012 and investments amounting to approximately EUR 75 billion.

May 28th, 2013

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Pakistan: Confronting vulnerability by building national climate research capacities

Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change - risks range from the disastrous 2010 floodings that acted as a wake-up call to retreating glaciers impacting freshwater supply. To confront this challenge, the new Centre for Climate Research and Development (CCRD) took up its work this month - a substantial effort to build up indigenous scientific capacities in a place where substantial climate change impacts are actually happening.

May 24th, 2013

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The long road to the 2000-watt society - How sustainable is Switzerland?

The vision of a society in which each inhabitant of the earth manages to consume only 2000 watts has already been around for 15 years. During this time, there has been a steady increase in environmental awareness in the West. Technology has become more efficient and there appears to be very little standing in the way of a sustainable lifestyle. However, as a study by Empa and the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich now shows, Mr and Mrs Swiss are still a long way from achieving this.

May 24th, 2013

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Biofilms move electrons long distances across two distinct layers

Bacteria can move electrons at least half a millimeter across a scaffolding made by themselves, of themselves, even under starving conditions. This new finding challenges conventional wisdom, which held that electrical resistance within bacterial biofilms - robust structures held together by a strong matrix - would restrict long-range electron transfer.

May 23rd, 2013

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Tests lead to doubling of fuel cell life

Researchers working to improve durability in fuel cell powered buses have discovered links between electrode degradation processes and bus membrane durability. The team is quantifying the effects of electrode degradation stressors in the operating cycle of the bus on the membrane lifetime.

May 22nd, 2013

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More emphasis needed on recycling and reuse of Li-ion batteries

The discovery of potential environmental and human health effects from disposal of millions of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries each year has led scientists to recommend stronger government policies to encourage recovery, recycling and reuse of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery materials.

May 22nd, 2013

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Solar and lithium ion car race winners announced

Ninety-seven teams from 28 Colorado schools participated in today's car competitions hosted by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The student teams raced solar and lithium ion powered vehicles they designed and built themselves.

May 21st, 2013

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New method for producing clean hydrogen

Duke University engineers have developed a novel method for producing clean hydrogen, which could prove essential to weaning society off of fossil fuels and their environmental implications.

May 21st, 2013

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