Imagine a world where streetlamps no longer exist, since they have been replaced by trees that emit light. Genome Compiler will synthesize the DNA of an Arabidopsis plant with genes from a firefly that cause natural luminosity: the “first step in creating sustainable natural lighting.

A new solar dish has been developed that does what solar installations do, convert sunlight into power, but with an interesting twist: clean water. The efficiency of the typical solar installation ranges from 10 to 20 percent, with the rest waste heat. Swiss researchers associated wit

With demand for water projected to outstrip supply by 40 per cent by 2030, there is a real need for innovations in how we use it and how much we use it – not least when washing our clothes.  In 10 years’ time, we can expect to clean our clothes much less. Textiles will be designed to

US researchers are hoping to turn old electric vehicle batteries into local energy storage systems. With about one million lithium-ion batteries per year coming available from various automakers for the secondary market beginning in 2020, there is vast potential to supplement power fo

Scientists have harnessed the principles of photosynthesis to develop a new way of producing hydrogen – in a breakthrough that offers a possible solution to global energy problems. Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen can be burned to produce energy without producing emissions. It is also th

Snakes and ladders, bingo and top trumps might be old-fashioned games most associated with childhoods past, but if climate-change experts are to be believed, they could just help us to save the planet. Could a bit of fun and competition convince people to lead more environmentally fri

It may be that the thought of Spring weather leads to irrational optimism, but we think there are signs for hope in the economy after a very long economic Winter. Just as the coldest weather comes at the end of Winter, so it is with the economy with companies everywhere seeing pressur

Identifying an investor, appointing the right adviser and closing a deal is never simple and the green sector is no exception. In fact, since the untried technology often associated with the sector can create the perception of high risk, securing investment is an increasing hurdle for

Swedish researchers have created a way of turning ash from power stations run on landfill waste into hydrogen. The scientists have a developed a technique of dampening the bottom ash with water in an oxygen-free environment to rapidly release the hydrogen, which can then be collected

A team at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a process that enables recycled paper and cardboard to be used as a raw material for non-wovens. Hygiene and home care products are among the items that can be manufactured from the biodegradable non-wovens. The manu