Topic description and stories

Research is tackling the need to reduce energy demand, maintain energy supply, increase the efficiency of energy-requiring processes, and develop policy and pricing strategies. To find out more about our research in energy, visit the Energy Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) website. 

Wind turbine manufacturing facility in Arkansas, USA

Scientists set out immediate actions and future research priorities to help UK to reach net zero target

25 Aug 2021

A new paper by leading UK scientists sets out key solutions and policy actions that should be implemented now, as well as priority research areas for...

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Illustration of batteries charging

Low-cost imaging technique shows how smartphone batteries could charge in minutes

23 Jun 2021

Researchers have developed a simple lab-based technique that allows them to look inside lithium-ion batteries and follow lithium ions moving in real...

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Professor Clare Grey

Professor Clare Grey awarded €1 million Körber Prize

22 Jun 2021

The Körber European Science Prize 2021, worth one million euros, is to be awarded to University of Cambridge chemist Professor Clare Grey, one of the...

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Artist’s impression of glowing halide perovskite nanocrystals

Atom swapping could lead to ultra-bright, flexible next generation LEDs

07 Jun 2021

An international group of researchers has developed a new technique that could be used to make more efficient low-cost light-emitting materials that...

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University’s expertise advises on West Cambridge Site trial of self-driving shuttle

27 May 2021

Professor John Miles from the Department of Engineering has been guiding a project looking at out-of-hours travel from city centres and employment...

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The scientist watching light at a millionth of a millionth of a second

10 Feb 2021

When she’s not making atomic-scale changes to create super-efficient light bulbs and cut carbon emissions, Professor Rachel Oliver has her sights set...

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Wind turbines

Low-carbon policies can be ‘balanced’ to benefit small firms and average households – study

18 Jan 2021

A review of ten types of policy used to reduce carbon suggests that some costs fall on those less able to bear them – but it also shows these...

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Gulf of Mexico from space

New research will use space telescopes to monitor energy efficiency of buildings

07 Dec 2020

The University of Cambridge is one of 21 organisations awarded a share of over £7 million in funding meant to put the UK at the forefront of the...

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Beyond the pandemic: build a greener future

09 Nov 2020

It is crucial that recovery from the pandemic is shaped to support the responses to climate change and biodiversity loss if we hope to mitigate yet...

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Easy-to-make, ultra-low-power electronics could charge out of thin air

13 Oct 2020

Researchers have developed a new approach to printed electronics that allows ultra-low-power electronic devices which could recharge from ambient...

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Solar panel installation

ARPA-type funding gives green technology an ‘innovation advantage’, study finds

14 Sep 2020

Startups funded by US agency ARPA-E file patents at twice the rate of similar cleantech firms. The UK should trial its own climate-focused ARPA as...

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Dr Qian Wang

Wireless device makes clean fuel from sunlight, CO2 and water

24 Aug 2020

Researchers have developed a standalone device that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into a carbon-neutral fuel, without requiring any...

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