Environment & Energy

Clean-up: tiny tubes that suck in CO2 from the air are being developed by Professor Eleanor Campbell’s team. Image by EPSRC

Planting ‘fake trees’ by the roadside to clean the air

15 May 2012

by Richard Maino, London Press Service

Land alongside places such as motorways that is unsuitable for tree planting could still be used to reduce levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to the latest research.

Date

Louis Barnett, founder of Chokolit, with UKTI trade adviser Maggie Neal. Image by Chokolit.

Overseas markets hungry for a taste of the UK

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Dairy, cereals, snacks and sugar confection are among the high performing sectors that have helped UK food and drink exports to grow for the sixth year in succession, passing the 10 billion pounds mark for the first time in 2010.

24 May 2011

Power ranger: energy experts in the UK say it is heading for a greater diversity in electricity generation, because it is coming from a much wider geographic spread. Present plans for wind power aim to target 15 per cent of the energy mix by 2020. Image by National Grid.

UK drive for low-carbon energy “faces crucial year”

Crucial decisions need to be made this year in order to deliver low-carbon energy for the UK, according to National Grid chief executive Steve Holliday

24 May 2011

Material progress: Professor Sarah Hainsworth sets up a micro-computerised x-ray experiment to examine a material’s internal structure helping to drive innovations to reduce environmental emissions and improve energy efficiency Image by Brian Bell.

How materials research will drive the “Innovation Age”

Using and developing new materials has been vital to the development of humankind. Indeed, the naming of the “ages” of history after materials - the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age - demonstrate the importance that humans place in materials.

17 May 2011

Big branch business: Scotland’s thriving forest and timber industry makes a significant contribution to the country. A new strategy, Roots for Future Growth, plans to make the existing markets work even more effectively Image by Forestry Commission.

Taking root: growth of Scotland’s forestry trade

Proposals are being developed to increase the forest and timber sector in Scotland through investment and innovation in sustainable resources.

17 May 2011

Image by Tata Steel: Really green: the exterior of the UK’s new Sustainable Building Envelope Centre incorporates steel solar collector blocks and other renewable energy prototypes.

Transforming buildings into energy generators

The integration of new power technologies into walls and roofs could turn buildings from energy consumers into energy producers, if tests at a new UK research centre prove successful.

09 May 2011