A joint plan being launched by major energy companies and the start-up Granular will allow customers to see what times renewable energy generation is at its highest while offering lower rates at these times. Why are modern smart meters not smart, how will the...
By Robin Mitchell | 25-04-2022
Often there will be news sites that publish stories about revolutionary devices that claim they will change the world, but these are almost always snake oil. Now, the media is publishing news that says solar panels operating at night to produce night energy wo...
By Robin Mitchell | 11-04-2022
Inspired by nature, researchers have recently developed a new sensor platform that floats in the wind to travel far while recording a wide range of environmental data. What challenges does monitoring the environment present, what did the researchers develop, a...
By Robin Mitchell | 24-03-2022
Researchers have recently made more breakthroughs in developing flexible organic solar panels that could help usher in new wearable devices. What challenges do solar panel technologies face, what did the researchers achieve, and are wearable solar panels a goo...
By Robin Mitchell | 16-03-2022
Green energy has been touted to be the future of energy generation in a world concerned with climate change. Still, rising energy costs and poor planning is creating a perfect storm for an energy collapse. What did green technology promise, why has the move to...
By Robin Mitchell | 10-03-2022
Researchers have revealed a way to recycle old solar panels into new, more efficient ones using PERC technology, reducing waste and dependence on intensive mining for new materials, thus benefiting the environment and providing a reliable, cost-effective servi...
By Robin Mitchell | 03-03-2022
Researchers have recently developed an automated method for counting insects in the wild for the purpose of understanding what insects are present, how many there are, and how they are affecting the environment around them. What challenges do insects present,...
By Robin Mitchell | 02-03-2022
The rising demands for repair rights amongst customers combined with the semiconductor shortage bring to light the many advantages of repairing electronics instead of replacing them. What solutions does the semiconductor industry have for advancing technology,...
By Robin Mitchell | 23-02-2022
Recently, researchers demonstrated a new type of gas sensor that utilises thermoacoustic properties instead of traditional resistive and optical methods. What challenges do typical gas sensors face, what did the researchers demonstrate, and how could it be use...
By Robin Mitchell | 15-02-2022
A recent report has shown that a semiconductor facility in Austin, Texas, owned by Samsung, leaked large quantities of industrial wastewater into nearby water sources. What environmental challenges do semiconductor facilities present, what was the result of th...
By Robin Mitchell | 04-02-2022
Read part one here. Petrol and diesel-powered cars are no longer a viable ecological proposition, and the race is now on between hydrogen and electric-powered vehicles. But deciding which of those two will take the chequered flag in the carbon-cutting Grand Pr...
By Paul Whytock | 06-01-2022
Researchers from NTU have recently developed a zinc-based battery using screen printing techniques that allow for custom shapes and biodegradability. What challenges do batteries present, what did the researchers develop, and how could they be used in engineer...
By Robin Mitchell | 04-01-2022
Researchers have recently developed a smart sensor that can help farmers reduce the fertiliser they use on their crops. What problems does fertiliser abuse cause, what did the researchers develop, and could it help farmers and the environment in the future?...
By Robin Mitchell | 21-12-2021
A new start-up tech company is developing molten salt technology to store excess energy from renewable sources. Why do renewables face challenges with energy storage, what is the company’s proposed solution, and is molten salt a new technology? Why do renewabl...
By Robin Mitchell | 14-12-2021