science

Experts from across the Commonwealth are to establish a knowledge exchange network to tackle issues such as climate change, food security and the state of the oceans

US scientists have found out the capacity and lifespan of lithium batteries can be improved by adjusting the ratio of metals they are made from

The UK and China have pledged to work together to strengthen collaboration in science and innovation in various sectors, including energy. The new strategy builds on almost 40 years of co-operation and is the first bilateral science and innovation strategy China has developed jointly with another country. It sets the framework for future co-operation to […]

Researchers have found a way to extract rare materials and metals from coal in an efficient, cheap and environmentally friendly way. Scientists from the University of Kentucky say the new method of producing high-grade rare earth elements will make manufacturing the essential components found in iPhones, computers, missiles and other technological applications much cleaner. Materials […]

A new light-activated material can convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide without producing unwanted byproducts. That’s according to scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), who said the technology could see solar-powered catalysts being used to generate fuel and other energy-rich products from harmful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They suggest the spongy nickel […]

Climate scientists and leading global investors are to work together to assess climate risks. They joined forces at the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO) to develop tools to help investors incorporate climate risk “more effectively” into long term investment decisions. CICERO Climate Finance will work on various solutions such as looking beyond carbon […]

Immigrants make a significant contribution to the US science and engineering sector. From 2003 to 2013 the number of immigrants who were scientists and engineers increased to 5.2 million. That’s an 18% increase, according to a report from the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). That increase helped the total number of […]

Scientists have created a new form of ice that could help in the production and storage of energy. Dubbed, Ice XVI, it was found by a team of German and French researchers and has a structure that allows it to trap gas inside. These compounds called gas hydrates, are known to store huge amounts of […]

Nearly three-quarters of Conservative MPs do not accept that climate change has been proven to be caused by human activity, a new poll found. Out of 119 MPs, including 57 Tories and 51 Labour MPs who responded to the poll, only 17 Conservative MPs agreed it was a scientific fact that climate change is largely […]

The Government has been criticised for failing to communicate the science behind climate change “clearly and effectively” to the public. The Science and Technology Committee believes the Government’s efforts to “properly engage the public” while communicating climate change have been “disappointing”. Its report also claims the Government’s “hands-off approach” to engaging with the public and […]