Category archives: Energy

The potential of used cooking oil for the energy transition

The potential of used cooking oil for the energy transition

Chemical engineeringChemistryEnergyEnvironment

By Invited Researcher

Authors: Crisbel Cardenas 1, Eduardo Torre-Pascual 1,2 , Maite de Blas 1,2 , Estíbaliz Sáez de Cámara 1,2, Erlantz Lizundia 1,3 & Ion Agirre-Arisketa 1,2 1 Repsol Foundation Classroom on Energy Transition & Circular Economy. Bilbao School of Engineering. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Bilbao. España 2 Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department. Bilbao School […]

Reading a quantum clock costs more energy than running it

Reading a quantum clock costs more energy than running it

Computer scienceEnergyQuantum physics

By Mapping Ignorance

A new study has identified a surprising source of entropy in quantum timekeeping—the act of measurement itself. The researchers demonstrate that the energy cost of “reading” a quantum clock far outweighs the cost of running it, with implications for the design of future quantum technologies. Clocks, whether pendulums or atomic oscillators, rely on irreversible processes […]

Sora 2 and the environmental impact of  OpenAI

Sora 2 and the environmental impact of OpenAI

Computer scienceEconomicsEnergyEthics

By Invited Researcher

OpenAI’s recent rollout of its new video generator Sora 2 marks a watershed moment in AI. Its ability to generate minutes of hyper-realistic footage from a few lines of text is astonishing, and has raised immediate concerns about truth in politics and journalism. But Sora 2 is rolling out slowly because of its enormous computational […]

Selective reduction and its reversibility: a crystal that <i>breathes</i> oxygen

Selective reduction and its reversibility: a crystal that breathes oxygen

ChemistryEnergyMaterialsPhysics

By Mapping Ignorance

A team of scientists has discovered a new type of crystal that can “breathe”—releasing and absorbing oxygen repeatedly at relatively low temperatures. This unique ability could transform the way we develop clean energy technologies, including fuel cells, energy-saving windows, and smart thermal devices. The newly developed material is a special kind of metal oxide made […]

The secret structures of benzodithiophene polymers unlock solar energy

The secret structures of benzodithiophene polymers unlock solar energy

ChemistryDIPC PolymersEnergyMaterials

By DIPC

Organic electronics in the form of organic solar cells — thin, flexible, and printable on everyday surfaces — promise a sustainable future in renewable energy. Unlike traditional silicon-based solar panels, organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices rely on carbon-based polymers, a class of molecules more commonly associated with plastic bags than power generation. Among these, a family […]

Direct liquid cooling, a game-changer in battery thermal management

Direct liquid cooling, a game-changer in battery thermal management

ChemistryEnergy

By Invited Researcher

The electrification of road transport is no longer just a trend—it is a key step in reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. Beyond environmental benefits, it also carries strategic and geopolitical importance, prompting major automotive manufacturers to invest heavily in electric mobility . The success of this transformation depends on a crucial element: the […]

Extracting lithium from waste liquids using aluminium hydroxide

Extracting lithium from waste liquids using aluminium hydroxide

Chemical engineeringChemistryEnergyMaterials

By César Tomé

A team of researchers has invented a more efficient way to extract lithium from waste liquids leached from mining sites, oil fields and used batteries. They demonstrated that a common mineral can adsorb at least five times more lithium than can be collected using previously developed adsorbent materials. The new low-cost high-lithium-uptake process presents the […]

Fit-to-purpose power sources: portable batteries ecodesigned within the planetary boundaries

Fit-to-purpose power sources: portable batteries ecodesigned within the planetary boundaries

EnergyMaterials

By BCMaterials

Digital technologies have gained an essential role in societies’ development, by generating a global transformation in economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Digitalization does not just bring comfort and effectiveness in daily life but also contributes to equity and opportunities generation. However, this digital transformation is raising a fierce debate on how to ensure a positive […]