Cop26: together for our planet
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, better known as Cop26, held in Glasgow, UK, is a crucial opportunity for world leaders to gather and agree how nations will work together to reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change. There is much at stake, and many political, economic and societal factors are involved in overcoming this global challenge. One thing of which we can be certain is that chemical science will make a significant contribution to the innovations and technologies needed for a greener future.
Exploring the frontiers of the periodic table: bismuth catalysis and its applications
Join us on 16 October to learn about state-of-the-art synthesis coming from one of the world’s leading catalysis research groups
Reflective cement could help buildings stay cool in hot weather
‘Supercooling’ material could drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption associated with air conditioning units
Namibia’s first green hydrogen village will supply region with zero carbon fertiliser
Project hopes to supply Europe with fertiliser as renewable energy generation is ramped up
The RSC’s climate challenge
The Royal Society of Chemistry aims to use Cop26 as a springboard to a more sustainable future. Rachel Brazil reports
Electrochemistry offers ‘modest’ boost to deuterium fusion reaction
Electrochemical cell used to increase density of deuterium fuel
A greener approach to finishing fabrics
Cottonseed oil used to confer wrinkle and water resistance
Unrecovered byproducts from US mines could meet the country’s demand for dozens of critical materials
Huge quantities of metals and other elements are discarded each year in mining waste
How a circular economy and nanotech save us from a clean energy bottleneck
A carbon-neutral future depends on smarter materials and circular thinking
30-year-old solar panels still going strong
Reliabilities of modules manufactured in the late 1980s and early 1990s provide design lessons for modern photovoltaics
Tool backed by Apple will help electronics manufacturers swap out unsafe chemicals
Manufacturers of chemical cleaners and degreasers for electronics will have registry of safer, more sustainable chemicals to use in their products
Modelling suggests waste heat from AI data centres could power carbon capture and water purification
Analysis considering thermodynamics, economics and emissions shows how AI could flip its environmental footprint to become both water-positive and carbon-negative
Arlene Blum: ‘Our summit is reduced toxics’
The biophysical chemist on the link between climbing and reducing the use of toxic chemicals
Plastic treaty negotiations go down to the wire
Capping production and limiting use of harmful chemicals are key topics for negotiators to consider
Explainer: The chemistry of permastink and how to prevent it
How to avoid throwing out smelly polyester sportswear
Cracking under pressure
Basic chemical plant closures highlight strain on European industry
US charity launches $100 million green chemistry initiative
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to fund seven year project headed by sustainable chemistry pioneer Paul Anastas
Bacterium engineered to produce paracetamol from plastic bottle waste
Research demonstrates new ways to remediate plastic and upcycle chemicals derived from waste
Pitfalls in cytotoxicity studies could be tripping up chemists
Team proposes how to broaden and standardise biological testing in sustainable chemical research
Path to carbon dioxide-based chemicals smoothed with a dash of acid
Hydrochloric acid dissolves salts that gum-up reaction process
UK industrial strategy prioritises advanced manufacturing and life sciences
Government will subsidise electricity-intensive industries as part of support for eight key sectors
Congo’s cobalt conundrum
DRC government is intervening to revive prices and stabilise supply chains
Podcasts
Racing Green by Kit Chapman – Book club
Motorsports are saving the world
Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry
