The%20US%20and%20the%20UK%20have%20announced%20a%20%E2%80%9Cmajor%20new%20partnership%E2%80%9D%20in%20fusion%20technology%2C%20advancing%20the%20%E2%80%9Cshared%20goal%20of%20ending%20the%20climate%20crisis%E2%80%9D%2C%20officials%20said.%0A%0AThe%20agreement%20came%20from%20the%20US%20Department%20of%20Energy%20and%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20Department%20for%20Energy%20Security%20and%20Net%20Zero%20during%20a%20meeting%20in%20Washington%20on%20Wednesday.%0A%0AThousands%20of%20scientists%20and%20engineers%20have%20been%20working%20for%20decades%20on%20nuclear%20fusion%2C%20which%20attempts%20to%20replicate%20how%20atoms%20fuse%20together%20to%20power%20the%20sun%20and%20other%20stars%2C%20producing%20vast%20amounts%20of%20energy%20that%20can%20be%20turned%20into%20electricity.%0A%0AA%20major%20breakthrough%20was%20announced%20in%20late%202022%20after%20a%20team%20from%20the%20Lawrence%20Livermore%20National%20Laboratory%20in%20California%20for%20the%20first%20time%20achieved%20a%20%E2%80%9Cnet%20energy%20gain%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%93%20producing%20more%20energy%20in%20a%20fusion%20reaction%20than%20was%20used%20to%20ignite%20it.%0A%0AThe%20major%20selling%20point%20of%20fusion%20is%20that%2C%20unlike%20other%20nuclear%20reactions%2C%20it%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20create%20radioactive%20waste.%0A%0AAnd%20while%20fusion%20enthusiasts%20say%20that%20it%20could%20replace%20oil%20and%20gas%20with%20enough%20carbon-free%20energy%20to%20power%20society%2C%20experts%20caution%20that%20day%20is%20still%20decades%20away.%0A%0AThe%20new%20US-UK%20partnership%20will%20see%20fusion%20scientists%20on%20both%20sides%20of%20the%20Atlantic%20collaborate%20on%20R%26D%2C%20share%20knowledge%20and%20access%20to%20facilities%20in%20an%20attempt%20to%20make%20fusion%20commercially%20viable.%0A%0AUS%20energy%20secretary%20Jennifer%20Granholm%20said%20last%20month%20that%20the%20US%20hopes%20to%20create%20a%20commercial%20nuclear%20fusion%20facility%20within%2010%20years%20as%20part%20of%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20shift%20away%20from%20fossil%20fuels%20to%20clean%20energy.%0A%0ANuclear%20energy%20is%20part%20of%20the%20Biden%20administration%E2%80%99s%20goal%20of%20reaching%20a%20net-zero%20power%20sector%20by%202035%2C%20and%20net-zero%20economy%20by%20mid-century.%0A%0AWednesday%E2%80%99s%20announcement%20was%20made%20by%20deputy%20undersecretary%20at%20the%20US%20Department%20for%20Energy%2C%20David%20Turk%2C%20and%20UK%20Minister%20for%20Nuclear%20and%20Networks%2C%20Andrew%20Bowie.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20look%20forward%20to%20welcoming%20Minister%20Bowie%20to%20Washington%20to%20build%20on%20that%20partnership%20to%20advance%20fusion%20energy%20that%20could%20ultimately%20help%20us%20achieve%20our%20countries%E2%80%99%20shared%20goal%20of%20ending%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%E2%80%9D%20Mr%20Turk%20said.%0A%0ANo%20new%20financial%20investment%20accompanied%20the%20announcement.%20Last%20month%2C%20the%20UK%20launched%20the%20%C2%A3650%20million%20(%20%24800%20million)%20Fusion%20Futures%20Programme%20to%20provide%20training%20and%20fund%20companies.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CInternational%20collaboration%20is%20key%20for%20advancing%20fusion%20and%20achieving%20our%20ambition%20of%20getting%20a%20commercial%20fusion%20reactor%20grid-ready%20by%202040%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Nuclear%20and%20Networks%20Minister%20Andrew%20Bowie.%0A%0AA%20committee%20made%20up%20of%20scientists%20from%20national%20labs%2C%20academia%20and%20industry%20will%20meet%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%20early%202024%2C%20the%20UK%20government%20said.

UK, US strike major partnership in nuclear fusion

Suck%20carbon%20from%20the%20air%3F%20US%20facility%20launches%20novel%20climate%20solution%0ADirect%20air%20capture%20is%20a%20reality%20in%20California%20with%20plant%20that%20pledges%20not%20to%20take%20investments%20from%20oil%20and%20gas%0A%0AInside%20a%20vast%20new%20warehouse%20in%20the%20California%20town%20of%20Tracy%2C%20tall%20towers%20of%20trays%20containing%20a%20gray%20powder%20are%20stacked%20in%20neat%20rows.%0A%0AIt%E2%80%99s%20all%20part%20of%20Heirloom%2C%20a%20company%20that%20promises%20to%20use%20limestone%20to%20directly%20remove%20carbon%20dioxide%20from%20the%20air%20and%20store%20it%20deep%20within%20concrete%2C%20keeping%20it%20out%20of%20the%20atmosphere.%20The%20facility%20%E2%80%93%20the%20first%20commercial%20direct%20air%20capture%20(DAC)%20plant%20in%20the%20US%20%E2%80%93%20opened%20last%20week.%0A%0ACapturing%20and%20stowing%20away%20carbon%20from%20the%20air%20was%20once%20considered%20a%20far-fetched%20idea.%20Today%2C%20scientists%20and%20political%20leaders%20see%20it%20as%20an%20inevitable%20tool%20in%20mitigating%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20Money%20from%20both%20private%20and%20public%20sources%20is%20pouring%20in%2C%20and%20the%20Biden%20administration%20has%20committed%20to%20spending%20at%20least%20%243.7bn%20to%20kick-start%20DAC%20and%20other%20carbon-removal%20projects%20across%20the%20United%20States.%0A%0AHeirloom%E2%80%99s%20facility%20uses%20limestone%20%E2%80%93%20the%20second%20most-mined%20material%20on%20Earth%20%E2%80%93%20to%20sponge%20up%20carbon%20from%20the%20air.%20The%20process%20begins%20when%20industrial%20kilns%20heat%20the%20limestone%20to%201%2C650F%20(899C)%2C%20which%20breaks%20it%20down%20into%20carbon%20dioxide%20and%20calcium%20oxide.%0A%0AThe%20carbon%20dioxide%20is%20then%20stored%20in%20con%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bcrete%2C%20which%20can%20be%20used%20for%20construction%20projects.%20The%20remaining%20powder%20%E2%80%93%20calcium%20oxide%20%E2%80%93%20is%20spread%20on%20trays%20that%20are%20sprayed%20with%20water%20and%20sit%20in%20the%20open%20air.%20The%20powder%20absorbs%20carbon%2C%20naturally%20binding%20to%20the%20gas.%20The%20process%20then%20begins%20all%20over%20again%2C%20using%20heat%20to%20separate%20out%20the%20newly%20captured%20carbon.%0A%0AOther%20direct%20air%20capture%20systems%20use%20huge%20fans%20to%20pull%20air%2C%20and%20Heirloom%20says%20it%20uses%20a%20few%20but%20that%20their%20system%20takes%20less%20energy%20because%20it%20leverages%20limestone%E2%80%99s%20natural%20ability%20to%20pull%20carbon%20molecules%20out%20of%20the%20air.%0A%0AThe%20Heirloom%20chief%20executive%2C%20Shashank%20Samala%2C%20says%20he%20was%20inspired%20to%20climate%20action%20by%20his%20childhood%20in%20south-east%20India%2C%20where%20he%20grew%20up%20among%20heatwaves%20and%20droughts%2C%20and%20hopes%20the%20warehouse%20will%20be%20the%20first%20of%20many.%20%E2%80%9CFor%20me%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20really%20important%20to%20work%20on%20a%20solution%20that%20actually%20has%20a%20meaningful%2C%20scaled%20impact%20on%20climate%20change%2C%20to%20actually%20make%20a%20dent%20on%20this%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0AMaking%20a%20noticeable%20dent%20could%20take%20some%20time.%20The%20facility%20can%20absorb%20a%20maximum%20of%201%2C000%20metric%20tons%20of%20CO2%20per%20year%20%E2%80%93%20just%20a%20fraction%20of%20the%20annual%20emissions%20from%20a%20gas-fired%20power%20plant.%20The%20company%20hopes%20to%20remove%201bn%20tons%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20by%202035%2C%20though%20Samala%20admits%20scaling%20up%20will%20be%20a%20challenge%3A%20to%20reach%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20goals%20in%20the%20next%2012%20years%2C%20they%E2%80%99ll%20have%20to%20increase%20their%20capacity%20three%20times%20each%20year.%0A%0AAll%20that%20scaling%20up%20will%20also%20take%20money%2C%20and%20tech%20firms%20are%20going%20in%20for%20direct%20air%20capture%3A%20Microsoft%20has%20signed%20a%20long-term%20contract%20with%20Heirloom%20to%20suck%20up%20to%20315%2C000%20metric%20tons%20of%20CO2%2C%20to%20offset%20the%20tech%20company%E2%80%99s%20own%20emissions%20and%20reach%20its%20net-zero%20goals.%20A%20fund%20called%20Frontier%20has%20pledged%20%2446.6m%20to%20Heirloom%20and%20another%20carbon-sucking%20venture.%0A%0AHeirloom%20says%20it%E2%80%99s%20powered%20by%20renewable%20energy%20from%20a%20local%20provider%2C%20and%20that%20it%20won%E2%80%99t%20take%20investments%20from%20oil%20and%20gas%20companies.%20One%20use%20for%20carbon%20captured%20from%20DAC%20plants%20is%20to%20enhance%20oil%20extraction%20by%20injecting%20carbon%20into%20oil%20wells%20to%20make%20them%20more%20productive%2C%20but%20that%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20align%20with%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20values.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20felt%20the%20space%20needed%20leadership%20and%20values%20and%20we%20wanted%20to%20make%20sure%20that%20the%20carbon%20dioxide%20pulled%20from%20the%20air%20is%20not%20used%20as%20an%20excuse%20to%20put%20more%20CO2%20into%20the%20air%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Samala.%0A%0AHeirloom%20has%20received%20a%20%24600m%20award%20from%20the%20Department%20of%20Energy%20to%20build%20a%20hub%20in%20Louisiana%20that%20can%20process%20up%20to%20a%20million%20tons%20a%20year.%20The%20facilities%20are%20modular%2C%20Samala%20says%2C%20so%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20matter%20of%20putting%20limestone%20on%20larger%20trays%20and%20stacking%20more%20trays.%0A%0AThere%20are%20still%20hurdles%20in%20making%20meaningful%20contributions%20to%20lowering%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20says%20Farzan%20Kazemifar%2C%20a%20mechanical%20engineer%20at%20San%20Jos%C3%A9%20State%20University.%20Direct%20air%20capture%20is%20an%20expensive%20and%20energy-hungry%20process.%20Because%20only%20a%20tiny%20fraction%20of%20carbon%20is%20removed%20from%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20it%20takes%20a%20lot%20of%20air%20%E2%80%93%20and%20a%20lot%20of%20powerful%20fans%20%E2%80%93%20to%20push%20through%20enough%20material%20to%20get%20the%20carbon%20out.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20atmosphere%20is%20big%2C%20and%20any%20direct%20air%20capture%20is%20little%2C%20and%20the%20economics%20are%20still%20challenging%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Brad%20Sageman%2C%20an%20earth%20and%20planetary%20scientist%20at%20Northwestern%20University.%20But%20it%E2%80%99s%20important%20to%20pursue%20every%20possible%20solution%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20he%20says%2C%20%E2%80%9Cbecause%20even%20if%20we%20succeed%20in%20applying%20all%20of%20them%2C%20we%20still%20aren%E2%80%99t%20sure%20whether%20we%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20be%20able%20to%20fix%20the%20problem%E2%80%9D.%0A%0ASamala%20says%20he%20hopes%20the%20world%20starts%20to%20take%20notice%20of%20direct%20air%20capture%20and%20the%20role%20it%20can%20play%3B%20just%20as%20city%20governments%20pay%20to%20pick%20up%20trash%2C%20people%20need%20to%20think%20about%20paying%20for%20removing%20the%20carbon%20they%20produce.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20need%20to%20pay%20for%20the%20CO2%20we%20are%20putting%20out%20there%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.

US facility launches novel climate solution

Researchers%20have%20transformed%20CO2%20into%20sustainable%20fuel%20by%20shining%20sunlight%20on%20a%20light-activated%20material.%0A%0AA%20team%20of%20researchers%20has%20designed%20a%20new%20material%20made%20up%20of%20copper%20anchored%20on%20nanocrystalline%20carbon%20nitride.%0A%0ACopper%20atoms%20are%20nested%20within%20the%20nanocrystalline%20structure%2C%20allowing%20electrons%20to%20move%20from%20carbon%20nitride%20to%20CO2.%20This%20is%20an%20essential%20step%20in%20producing%20the%20sustainable%20fuel%20%E2%80%93%20%20methanol%20%E2%80%93%20from%20CO2%20under%20the%20influence%20of%20solar%20irradiation.%0A%0AThe%20work%20is%20published%20in%20the%20Sustainable%20Energy%20%26%20Fuels%20Journal.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EHow%20does%20photocatalysis%20work%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ALight%20is%20shone%20on%20a%20semiconductor%20material%20in%20photocatalysis.%20This%20excites%20electrons%2C%20enabling%20them%20to%20travel%20through%20the%20material%20to%20react%20with%20CO2%20and%20water.%0A%0AThis%20leads%20to%20a%20variety%20of%20useful%20products%2C%20including%20methanol%2C%20which%20is%20a%20sustainable%20fuel.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20despite%20recent%20progress%2C%20the%20process%20suffers%20from%20a%20lack%20of%20efficiency%20and%20selectivity.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EThe%20problem%20with%20carbon%20dioxide%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ACarbon%20dioxide%20is%20the%20greatest%20contributor%20to%20global%20warming.%0A%0AAlthough%20CO2%20can%20be%20converted%20to%20useful%20products%2C%20traditional%20thermal%20methods%20require%20hydrogen%20sourced%20from%20fossil%20fuels.%0A%0ABecause%20of%20this%2C%20it%20is%20important%20to%20develop%20alternative%20methods%20based%20on%20photo-%20and%20electrocatalysis%2C%20taking%20advantage%20of%20solar%20energy%20and%20the%20abundance%20of%20water.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EIncreasing%20efficiency%20of%20photocatalysis%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20team%20devised%20a%20process%20for%20heating%20carbon%20nitride%20to%20the%20required%20degree%20of%20crystallinity%2C%20which%20maximised%20the%20functional%20properties%20of%20the%20material%20for%20photocatalysis.%0A%0AThey%20then%20used%20magnetron%20sputtering%20to%20deposit%20atomic%20copper%20in%20a%20solventless%20process%2C%20allowing%20contact%20between%20the%20semiconductor%20and%20metal%20atoms.%0A%0ATara%20LeMercier%2C%20a%20PhD%20student%20who%20carried%20out%20the%20experimental%20work%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Nottingham%2C%20School%20of%20Chemistry%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20measured%20the%20current%20generated%20by%20light%20and%20used%20it%20as%20a%20criterion%20to%20judge%20the%20quality%20of%20the%20catalyst.%20Even%20without%20copper%2C%20the%20new%20form%20of%20carbon%20nitride%20is%2044%20times%20more%20active%20than%20traditional%20carbon%20nitride.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHowever%2C%20to%20our%20surprise%2C%20the%20addition%20of%20only%201mg%20of%20copper%20per%201g%20of%20carbon%20nitride%20quadrupled%20this%20efficiency.%20Most%20importantly%2C%20the%20selectivity%20changed%20from%20methane%2C%20another%20greenhouse%20gas%2C%20to%20methanol%2C%20a%20valuable%20green%20fuel.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3EA%20significant%20step%20towards%20CO2%20conversion%3Cb%3E%0A%0AThe%20team%E2%80%99s%20work%20represents%20a%20step%20towards%20a%20deep%20understanding%20of%20photocatalytic%20materials%20in%20CO2%20conversion.%0A%0AIt%20creates%20a%20pathway%20for%20creating%20highly%20selective%20and%20tuneable%20catalysts%20where%20the%20desired%20product%20could%20be%20dialled%20up%20by%20controlling%20the%20catalyst%20at%20the%20nanoscale.%0A%0AThe%20work%20is%20funded%20by%20the%20EPSRC%20Programme%20Grant%20%E2%80%98Metal%20Atoms%20on%20Surfaces%20and%20Interfaces%20for%20a%20Sustainable%20Future.%E2%80%99%3Cb%3E

New process for turning CO2 into sustainable fuel

%0AA%20novel%20hydrovoltaic%20cell%20developed%20by%20researchers%20at%20the%20Chinese%20Academy%20of%20Sciences%20(CAS)%20can%20continuously%20generate%20electricity%20using%20little%20water%20and%20no%20sunlight.%20This%20feature%20could%20help%20deploy%20the%20device%20in%20remote%20places%2C%20in%20harsh%20conditions%2C%20and%20at%20night%20when%20solar-powered%20energy%20generators%20do%20not%20work.%C2%A0%0A%0AWith%20the%20increasing%20demand%20for%20cleaner%20sources%20of%20energy%2C%20researchers%20are%20working%20on%20innovative%20approaches%20that%20can%20help%20us%20meet%20our%20energy%20demands%20without%20the%20carbon%20emissions%20seen%20from%20fossil%20fuels.%C2%A0%0A%0AA%20hydrovolcanic%20cell%20generates%20electricity%20by%20absorbing%20energy%20from%20the%20interaction%20of%20water%20with%20other%20surfaces.%20Like%20their%20photovoltaic%20counterparts%2C%20hydrovolcanic%20cells%20depend%20on%20sunlight%20to%20power%20their%20operations%2C%20and%20their%20outputs%20have%20been%20limited%20by%20environmental%20conditions%20like%20sunlight%20and%20wind.%C2%A0%0A%0ATypically%20hydrovoltaic%20cells%20require%20a%20continuous%20supply%20of%20water%20and%20low%20humidity%20environments%20to%20function%20at%20their%20best%20efficiencies.%20However%2C%20researchers%20at%20CAS%20overcame%20this%20by%20hermetically%20sealing%20the%20cell%20and%20making%20it%20an%20almost%20closed%20system%20that%20can%20operate%20without%20being%20impacted%20by%20external%20conditions.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EHow%20does%20the%20hydrovoltaic%20cell%20work%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20hermetic%20hydrovolcanic%20cell%20(HHC)%20consists%20of%20an%20internal%20electricity%20generation%20unit%20made%20from%20carbon%20black%20and%20tissue%20paper.%0A%0AA%20small%20heterogenous%20wicking%20bilayer%20designed%20for%20the%20cell%20sets%20up%20a%20continuous%20water%20circulation%20using%20capillary%20flow%20from%20the%20tissue%20paper%20and%20slight%20fluctuations%20in%20the%20ambient%20temperature%20that%20cause%20evaporation.%20%0A%0AThe%20electricity%20generation%20unit%20converts%20ambient%20heat%20into%20power%20output.%20According%20to%20the%20researchers%2C%20their%20unit%20generated%20a%20stable%20electricity%20output%20for%20160%20hours%20with%20negligible%20water%20consumption%2C%20making%20it%20ideal%20for%20deployment%20in%20water-scarce%20areas%20such%20as%20deserts%20or%20even%20underground%20engineering%20sites.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20also%20found%20that%20intense%20light%20can%20promote%20HHC%20output.%20This%20is%20likely%20due%20to%20increased%20absorption%20by%20the%20carbon%20black%2C%20which%20increases%20the%20moisture%20gradient%20inside%20the%20cell%20through%20the%20photothermal%20effect.%20This%20improves%20the%20electricity%20generation%20in%20the%20HHC.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EFluctuations%20the%20key%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AResearch%20efforts%20into%20the%20development%20of%20the%20HHC%20also%20brought%20a%20previously%20unknown%20internal%20circulation%20effect%20to%20the%20fore.%20While%20it%20has%20been%20assumed%20that%20temperature%20fluctuations%20are%20detrimental%20to%20energy%20generation%2C%20in%20the%20case%20of%20this%20cell%2C%20they%20facilitated%20a%20closed-loop%20circulation%2C%20leading%20to%20continuous%20power%20generation.%0A%0AThe%20HHC%20has%20a%20moderate%20open-circuit%20voltage%2C%20but%20researchers%20suggest%20it%20has%20the%20highest%20energy%20conversion%20efficiency%20since%20it%20does%20not%20consume%20any%20new%20water.%20The%20approach%20also%20addresses%20the%20limitations%20posed%20by%20environmental%20conditions.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20are%20confident%20that%20their%20approach%20helps%20generate%20electricity%20at%20a%20low%20cost%20and%20is%20easily%20accessible.%20Moreover%2C%20since%20ambient%20heat%20is%20an%20inexhaustible%20energy%20source%2C%20the%20team%20has%20successfully%20converted%20this%20low-grade%20energy%20source%20into%20usable%20power.%20%0A%0AWith%20a%20stable%20output%20and%20no%20additional%20water%20consumption%2C%20the%20approach%20can%20easily%20meet%20energy%20requirements%20at%20various%20types%20of%20locations.%20The%20researchers%20hope%20that%20their%20approach%20inspires%20other%20groups%20to%20innovate%20further%20in%20this%20field%20and%20develop%20much%20more%20efficient%20designs%20in%20the%20future.

China cell turns heat into electricity without sun

The%20United%20Kingdom%20Atomic%20Energy%20Authority%20(UKAEA)%20has%20taken%20a%20significant%20step%20to%20support%20future%20fusion%20power%20plants.%20The%20UKAEA%20has%20partnered%20with%20Eni%2C%20an%20Italian%20firm%2C%20for%20the%20construction%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20and%20most%20advanced%20tritium%20fuel%20cycle%20facility.%20The%20step%20is%20expected%20to%20give%20a%20strong%20support%20to%20future%20fusion%20reactors%20as%20tritium%20is%20a%20vital%20fuel%20for%20fusion%20power%20stations.%0A%0AThe%20collaboration%20also%20aims%20to%20jointly%20conduct%20research%20and%20development%20activities%20in%20the%20field%20of%20fusion%20energy.%0A%0AUKAEA%20revealed%20that%20the%20tritium%20recovery%20and%20re-use%20will%20play%20a%20fundamental%20role%20in%20the%20supply%20and%20generation%20of%20the%20fuel%20in%20future%20fusion%20power%20plants%20and%20will%20be%20crucial%20in%20making%20the%20technology%20increasingly%20efficient.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EUKAEA-Eni%20H3AT%20Tritium%20Loop%20Facility%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20%E2%80%9CUKAEA-Eni%20H3AT%20Tritium%20Loop%20Facility%E2%80%9D%20is%20designed%20to%20serve%20as%20a%20world-class%20facility%20providing%20industry%20and%20academia%20the%20opportunity%20to%20study%20how%20to%20process%2C%20store%20and%20recycle%20tritium%2C%20according%20to%20the%20recent%20announcement.%0A%0AUKAEA%20and%20Eni%20will%20collaborate%20to%20develop%20advanced%20technological%20solutions%20in%20fusion%20energy%20and%20related%20technologies%2C%20including%20skills%20transfer%20initiatives.%20%0A%0AEni%20will%20contribute%20to%20the%20H3AT%20project%20with%20its%20expertise%20in%20managing%20and%20developing%20large-scale%20projects%2C%20helping%20to%20de-risk%20its%20roadmap.%20This%20partnership%20combines%20UKAEA%E2%80%99s%20extensive%20expertise%20in%20fusion%20research%20and%20development%20with%20Eni%E2%80%99s%20established%20industrial-scale%20capabilities%20in%20plant%20engineering%2C%20commissioning%2C%20and%20operations.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EH3AT%20demonstration%20plant%20to%20set%20a%20new%20benchmark%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20delighted%20to%20be%20working%20with%20Eni%20who%20have%20shown%20great%20commitment%20to%20fusion.%20We%20believe%20that%20fusion%20energy%20can%20contribute%20to%20a%20net%20zero%20future%2C%20including%20going%20beyond%20the%20decarbonisation%20of%20electricity%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20professor%20Sir%20Ian%20Chapman%2C%20CEO%20of%20UKAEA.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20H3AT%20demonstration%20plant%20will%20set%20a%20new%20benchmark%20as%20the%20largest%20and%20most%20advanced%20tritium%20fuel%20cycle%20facility%20in%20the%20world%2C%20paving%20the%20way%20for%20innovative%20offerings%20in%20fusion%20fuel%20and%20demonstrating%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20leadership%20in%20this%20crucial%20area%20of%20research%20and%20development.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AUKAEA%20revealed%20that%20Eni%20supports%20a%20socially%20fair%20energy%20transition%20with%20the%20aim%20of%20promoting%20efficient%20and%20progressively%20more%20sustainable%20access%20to%20energy%20resources.%0A%0AEni%20places%20innovation%20at%20the%20centre%20of%20its%20strategic%20vision%20and%20it%20has%20transformed%20the%20businesses%20by%20investing%20significantly%20in%20research%2C%20development%2C%20and%20the%20implementation%20of%20technologies%20to%20progressively%20decarbonising%20its%20energy%20mix%20and%20achieving%20carbon%20neutrality%20by%202050%2C%20according%20to%20a%20press%20release.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EFusion%20to%20revolutionize%20the%20global%20energy%20transition%20path%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AFusion%20energy%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20transformational%20to%20contribute%20to%20energy%20security%20and%20decarbonization.%20The%20process%20sees%20two%20hydrogen%20isotopes%20fuse%20together%20under%20intense%20heat%20and%20pressure%20to%20form%20a%20helium%20atom%2C%20releasing%20large%20amounts%20of%20emissions-free%20energy%20through%20a%20safe%2C%20cleaner%2C%20and%20virtually%20inexhaustible%20process.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CFusion%20energy%20is%20meant%20to%20revolutionize%20the%20global%20energy%20transition%20path%2C%20accelerating%20the%20decarbonisation%20of%20our%20economic%20and%20industrial%20systems%2C%20helping%20to%20spread%20access%20to%20energy%2C%20and%20reducing%20energy%20dependency%20ties%20within%20a%20more%20equitable%20transition%20framework%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Claudio%20Descalzi%2C%20Eni%20CEO.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CToday%20with%20our%20UK%20partners%20we%20are%20laying%20the%20foundations%20for%20further%20progress%20towards%20the%20goal%20of%20fusion%20which%E2%80%94if%20we%20consider%20its%20enormous%20scope%20of%20technological%20innovation%E2%80%94is%20increasingly%20concrete%20and%20not%20so%20far%20off%20in%20time.%20To%20continue%20this%20virtuous%20development%2C%20international%20system-level%20technological%20partnerships%20like%20this%20one%20are%20indispensable.%E2%80%9D

Eni-UKAEA to build tritium fuel facility

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Crazy french invention turns waves into power

Researchers%20from%20Norway%20and%20Japan%20have%20created%20an%20innovative%20building%20material%20that%20makes%20it%20possible%20to%20use%20desert%20sand%20in%20concrete%20for%20the%20first%20time.%20Scientists%20from%20the%20Norwegian%20University%20of%20Science%20and%20Technology%20and%20the%20University%20of%20Tokyo%20collaborated%20on%20this%20breakthrough%2C%20which%20could%20help%20transform%20sustainable%20construction%20practices%20worldwide.%0A%0AThe%20new%20material%2C%20known%20as%20botanical%20sand%20concrete%2C%20blends%20ultra-fine%20desert%20sand%20with%20plant-based%20binders%20and%20tiny%20wood%20fibers.%20By%20applying%20controlled%20heat%20and%20pressure%2C%20the%20researchers%20produced%20a%20solid%20and%20durable%20alternative%20to%20traditional%20concrete.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20traditional%20concrete%20is%20harmful%20to%20the%20environment%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AConcrete%20is%20the%20second%20most%20consumed%20material%20on%20Earth%20after%20water.%20Each%20year%2C%20more%20than%20four%20billion%20tonnes%20of%20cement%20are%20produced%20globally.%20This%20massive%20output%20is%20responsible%20for%20nearly%20eight%20percent%20of%20worldwide%20carbon%20dioxide%20emissions.%0A%0AIn%20addition%2C%20modern%20construction%20relies%20heavily%20on%20river%20sand%20and%20crushed%20stone.%20Mining%20these%20materials%20causes%20serious%20environmental%20damage%2C%20including%20riverbank%20erosion%2C%20habitat%20destruction%2C%20and%20landscape%20degradation.%20As%20these%20resources%20become%20scarcer%2C%20the%20demand%20for%20sustainable%20alternatives%20continues%20to%20grow.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20desert%20sand%20has%20been%20difficult%20to%20use%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAlthough%20deserts%20contain%20enormous%20quantities%20of%20sand%2C%20it%20has%20rarely%20been%20used%20in%20construction.%20The%20reason%20lies%20in%20its%20physical%20properties.%0A%0ADesert%20sand%20particles%20are%20extremely%20smooth%20and%20rounded%20due%20to%20constant%20wind%20erosion.%20Unlike%20river%20sand%2C%20they%20do%20not%20interlock%20well%20with%20cement%2C%20resulting%20in%20weak%20and%20unstable%20concrete.%20Because%20of%20this%20limitation%2C%20builders%20have%20been%20forced%20to%20depend%20on%20environmentally%20damaging%20sources.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20manufacturing%20method%20for%20sustainable%20concrete%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20solve%20this%20problem%2C%20the%20research%20team%20tested%20a%20different%20production%20technique%20that%20does%20not%20rely%20on%20traditional%20cement%20binding.%0A%0AInstead%2C%20they%20combined%20desert%20sand%20with%20organic%20additives%20and%20wood%20powder%2C%20then%20compressed%20the%20mixture%20under%20high%20temperature%20and%20pressure.%20By%20carefully%20adjusting%20factors%20such%20as%20heat%20levels%2C%20mixing%20proportions%2C%20pressure%20intensity%2C%20and%20pressing%20duration%2C%20they%20were%20able%20to%20form%20dense%2C%20strong%20material%20without%20excessive%20cement%20use.%0A%0AAll%20laboratory%20experiments%20were%20conducted%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Tokyo%2C%20where%20scientists%20compared%20desert%20sand%20with%20other%20fine%20aggregates%20and%20analyzed%20how%20different%20variables%20influenced%20strength%20and%20durability.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELaboratory%20results%20show%20promising%20performance%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20experiments%20confirmed%20that%20desert%20sand%20can%20become%20structurally%20stable%20when%20processed%20with%20organic%20materials%20under%20controlled%20conditions.%0A%0AThe%20resulting%20botanical%20sand%20concrete%20demonstrated%20sufficient%20strength%20for%20light%20construction%20purposes.%20Researchers%20tested%20multiple%20combinations%20to%20identify%20the%20most%20effective%20formulas%2C%20measuring%20both%20density%20and%20mechanical%20resistance.%0A%0AThese%20findings%20suggest%20that%20alternative%20manufacturing%20methods%20can%20overcome%20the%20natural%20limitations%20of%20desert%20sand.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EPotential%20applications%20and%20current%20limitations%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAt%20present%2C%20botanical%20sand%20concrete%20is%20best%20suited%20for%20non-load-bearing%20uses%2C%20including%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Walkways%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Paving%20stones%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Landscaping%20features%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Outdoor%20paths%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20material%20is%20not%20yet%20strong%20enough%20for%20major%20buildings%20or%20infrastructure%20projects.%20Researchers%20emphasize%20that%20more%20studies%20are%20needed%20to%20evaluate%20long-term%20durability%2C%20especially%20in%20cold%20climates%20and%20extreme%20weather%20conditions.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EReducing%20carbon%20emissions%20and%20resource%20depletion%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOne%20major%20advantage%20of%20this%20new%20material%20is%20its%20environmental%20impact.%20If%20adopted%20on%20a%20larger%20scale%2C%20it%20could%20significantly%20reduce%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Carbon%20emissions%20from%20cement%20production%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20River%20sand%20mining%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Mountain%20quarrying%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Habitat%20destruction%0A%0ATo%20maximize%20sustainability%2C%20scientists%20recommend%20using%20desert%20sand%20locally.%20Transporting%20heavy%20materials%20over%20long%20distances%20increases%20emissions%20and%20reduces%20environmental%20benefits.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20step%20toward%20greener%20construction%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABotanical%20sand%20concrete%20offers%20a%20promising%20way%20to%20turn%20an%20underused%20natural%20resource%20into%20a%20valuable%20construction%20material.%20With%20further%20development%2C%20it%20could%20help%20address%20global%20shortages%20of%20building%20materials%20while%20lowering%20the%20environmental%20footprint%20of%20the%20construction%20industry.%0A%0ABy%20converting%20desert%20sand%20from%20a%20liability%20into%20an%20asset%2C%20this%20innovation%20may%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20shaping%20the%20future%20of%20sustainable%20infrastructure.%0A

Eco-friendly concrete from desert sand and plants

China%20has%20launched%20construction%20of%20a%20300%2C000-ton-per-year%20demonstration%20facility%20that%20will%20transform%20mining%20waste%20into%20high-grade%20titanium-rich%20materials%20using%20an%20innovative%20low-temperature%20recovery%20process.%20Developed%20by%20industrial%20pyrolysis%20specialist%20Niutech%2C%20the%20project%20represents%20a%20major%20step%20toward%20sustainable%20mining%2C%20resource%20recovery%2C%20and%20lower-carbon%20industrial%20production.%0A%0ALocated%20in%20Linyi%2C%20Shandong%20Province%2C%20the%20facility%20is%20designed%20to%20process%20approximately%20300%2C000%20tons%20of%20titanium-bearing%20mining%20tailings%20annually.%20By%20recovering%20valuable%20minerals%20from%20waste%20that%20was%20previously%20considered%20uneconomical%20to%20process%2C%20the%20plant%20is%20expected%20to%20become%20Asia%E2%80%99s%20largest%20demonstration%20project%20for%20strategic%20mineral%20recovery%20from%20mining%20waste.%0A%0AThe%20company%20states%20that%20the%20technology%20has%20undergone%20evaluation%20by%20a%20national%20professional%20organization%2C%20which%20concluded%20that%20it%20has%20achieved%20an%20internationally%20advanced%20technological%20standard.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EInnovative%20technology%20turns%20mining%20waste%20into%20valuable%20resources%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AEvery%20year%2C%20global%20mining%20operations%20generate%20an%20estimated%2016%20billion%20tons%20of%20tailings%2C%20including%20enormous%20quantities%20of%20titanium-iron%20and%20vanadium-titanium%20magnetite%20waste.%20Much%20of%20this%20material%20still%20contains%20significant%20amounts%20of%20recoverable%20metals%20but%20has%20remained%20unused%20due%20to%20high%20processing%20costs%20and%20energy%20demands.%0A%0ATo%20overcome%20these%20limitations%2C%20Niutech%20has%20developed%20a%20low-temperature%20pyrolysis%20and%20in-situ%20reduction%20technology%20that%20extracts%20valuable%20titanium-rich%20materials%20far%20more%20efficiently%20than%20traditional%20methods.%0A%0AUnlike%20conventional%20smelting%20processes%2C%20which%20require%20extremely%20high%20temperatures%2C%20the%20new%20system%20operates%20below%20700%C2%B0C%20(1%2C292%C2%B0F)%2C%20with%20typical%20industrial%20temperatures%20ranging%20between%20550%C2%B0C%20and%20600%C2%B0C%20(1%2C022%E2%80%931%2C112%C2%B0F).%20The%20process%20also%20makes%20productive%20use%20of%20waste%20plastics%20and%20other%20organic%20waste%2C%20converting%20them%20into%20reducing%20gases%20that%20assist%20in%20extracting%20titanium%20from%20mining%20residues.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECircular%20economy%20approach%20improves%20energy%20efficiency%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20integrated%20recovery%20system%20combines%20solid%20waste%20recycling%2C%20tailings%20enrichment%2C%20and%20energy%20recovery%20within%20a%20single%20industrial%20process.%20During%20low-temperature%20pyrolysis%2C%20waste-derived%20reducing%20gases%20react%20directly%20with%20titanium-bearing%20tailings%2C%20eliminating%20the%20need%20for%20the%20extreme%20temperatures%20traditionally%20required%20for%20efficient%20mineral%20reduction.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Niutech%2C%20the%20technology%20achieves%20a%20reduction%20rate%20exceeding%2050%25%20while%20operating%20at%20substantially%20lower%20temperatures%20than%20conventional%20titanium%20extraction%20methods.%0A%0AThe%20company%20also%20reports%20impressive%20environmental%20performance%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20More%20than%2093%25%20of%20waste%20heat%20is%20recovered%20and%20reused%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Overall%20energy%20consumption%20is%20reduced%20by%20over%2036%25%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Carbon%20dioxide%20(CO%E2%82%82)%20emissions%20decrease%20by%20up%20to%2040%25%20compared%20with%20traditional%20titanium%20reduction%20technologies%0A%0AThese%20improvements%20could%20significantly%20reduce%20both%20operating%20costs%20and%20the%20environmental%20footprint%20of%20titanium%20production.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMeeting%20growing%20demand%20for%20critical%20minerals%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATitanium%20is%20considered%20a%20critical%20strategic%20mineral%2C%20with%20demand%20rising%20rapidly%20across%20industries%20including%20aerospace%2C%20defense%2C%20chemical%20manufacturing%2C%20renewable%20energy%2C%20and%20advanced%20engineering.%0A%0AMeanwhile%2C%20mining%20operations%20worldwide%20continue%20to%20accumulate%20vast%20quantities%20of%20low-grade%20tailings%20containing%20valuable%20metals%20that%20remain%20economically%20difficult%20to%20recover.%20Niutech's%20technology%20aims%20to%20solve%20this%20challenge%20by%20converting%20mining%20waste%20into%20high-value%20titanium-rich%20products%20while%20simultaneously%20recycling%20waste%20plastics%20as%20part%20of%20the%20reduction%20process.%0A%0AThe%20production%20system%20has%20been%20engineered%20for%20continuous%20industrial%20operation%2C%20combining%20intelligent%20automation%2C%20real-time%20process%20monitoring%2C%20dynamic%20sealing%20technology%2C%20and%20advanced%20temperature%20control%20to%20maximize%20efficiency%2C%20safety%2C%20and%20reliability.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESupporting%20sustainable%20mining%20and%20industrial%20decarbonization%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ANiutech%20believes%20its%20new%20recovery%20technology%20demonstrates%20how%20mining%20waste%20can%20become%20a%20valuable%20resource%20rather%20than%20an%20environmental%20burden.%20By%20combining%20critical%20mineral%20recovery%2C%20plastic%20waste%20utilization%2C%20energy%20efficiency%2C%20and%20lower%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%2C%20the%20company%20aims%20to%20accelerate%20the%20transition%20toward%20a%20more%20circular%20industrial%20economy.%0A%0AFollowing%20completion%20of%20the%20demonstration%20facility%2C%20Niutech%20plans%20to%20expand%20cooperation%20with%20mining%20companies%20and%20waste%20management%20organizations%20worldwide%20to%20deploy%20resource%20recovery%20technologies%20that%20improve%20material%20efficiency%20while%20supporting%20global%20decarbonization%20goals.

China builds titanium recycling plant

A%20German%20clean-tech%20startup%20is%20advancing%20plans%20to%20establish%20what%20is%20expected%20to%20become%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20large-scale%20manufacturing%20facility%20dedicated%20to%20wooden%20wind%20turbine%20blades.%20The%20more%20than%20%E2%82%AC100%20million%20(%24115%20million)%20project%20is%20planned%20for%20Navarra%2C%20Spain%2C%20with%20commercial%20production%20targeted%20for%202031.%0A%0AKnown%20as%20VB1F%2C%20the%20initiative%20is%20being%20led%20by%20Voodin%20Blade%20Technology%20together%20with%20European%20partners.%20Instead%20of%20conventional%20fiberglass%20composites%2C%20the%20facility%20will%20manufacture%20turbine%20blades%20using%20engineered%20wood%20materials%20designed%20to%20offer%20greater%20recyclability%20at%20the%20end%20of%20their%20operating%20life.%0A%0AThe%20technology%20could%20address%20one%20of%20the%20wind%20industry's%20increasingly%20important%20environmental%20challenges%3A%20what%20to%20do%20with%20millions%20of%20tons%20of%20turbine%20blades%20once%20they%20are%20retired.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWind%20energy%20expansion%20creates%20a%20growing%20waste%20challenge%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AGlobal%20installed%20wind%20power%20capacity%20has%20surpassed%201%2C000%20gigawatts%20(GW)%20as%20governments%20and%20energy%20companies%20accelerate%20the%20transition%20away%20from%20fossil%20fuels.%20Electricity%20demand%20is%20also%20increasing%2C%20while%20climate%20commitments%20are%20driving%20countries%20to%20install%20substantially%20more%20renewable%20generation.%0A%0ATo%20remain%20on%20track%20with%20global%20climate%20objectives%2C%20worldwide%20wind%20capacity%20will%20need%20to%20exceed%203%2C000%20GW%20by%202030.%20That%20rapid%20expansion%20will%20require%20enormous%20quantities%20of%20manufacturing%20materials.%20Approximately%2010%20metric%20tons%20of%20blade%20material%20are%20needed%20for%20every%20megawatt%20of%20installed%20wind%20capacity.%0A%0AMost%20wind%20turbine%20blades%20currently%20use%20fiberglass-reinforced%20composites%20made%20by%20combining%20glass%20fibers%20with%20epoxy%20resins.%20These%20materials%20provide%20the%20strength%20and%20durability%20required%20for%20decades%20of%20operation%2C%20but%20they%20are%20notoriously%20difficult%20to%20separate%20and%20recycle%20after%20a%20turbine%20is%20decommissioned.%0A%0AConsequently%2C%20an%20estimated%2078%25%20of%20retired%20wind%20turbine%20blades%20are%20either%20sent%20to%20landfills%20or%20incinerated.%0A%0AThe%20scale%20of%20the%20problem%20could%20increase%20dramatically%20over%20the%20coming%20decades.%20Global%20wind%20turbine%20blade%20waste%20is%20projected%20to%20reach%20as%20much%20as%2043%20million%20metric%20tons%20by%202050%2C%20creating%20a%20significant%20sustainability%20challenge%20for%20one%20of%20the%20world's%20fastest-growing%20clean%20energy%20technologies.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEngineered%20wood%20could%20replace%20fiberglass%20composites%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AVoodin%20Blade%20Technology%20is%20developing%20an%20alternative%20based%20primarily%20on%20renewable%20timber%20sourced%20from%20certified%20European%20forests.%0A%0ANordic%20spruce%20will%20be%20used%20as%20the%20main%20raw%20material.%20Because%20trees%20absorb%20carbon%20dioxide%20while%20growing%2C%20the%20wood%20also%20stores%20biogenic%20carbon%20throughout%20its%20use%20in%20the%20turbine%20blade.%0A%0ADuring%20production%2C%20timber%20is%20peeled%20into%20thin%20veneer%20sheets.%20These%20layers%20are%20then%20bonded%20together%20to%20produce%20Laminated%20Veneer%20Lumber%20(LVL)%2C%20an%20engineered%20wood%20product%20designed%20to%20deliver%20high%20structural%20performance.%0A%0ALVL%20combines%20strength%2C%20dimensional%20stability%20and%20resistance%20to%20repeated%20mechanical%20stress.%20These%20characteristics%20are%20particularly%20important%20for%20wind%20turbine%20blades%2C%20which%20must%20withstand%20constantly%20changing%20wind%20loads%20and%20harsh%20environmental%20conditions%20throughout%20their%20operating%20lives.%0A%0ABy%20using%20engineered%20timber%20as%20a%20structural%20material%2C%20the%20technology%20aims%20to%20reduce%20dependence%20on%20difficult-to-recycle%20fiberglass%20and%20resin%20composites.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EDigital%20manufacturing%20enables%20precision%20blade%20production%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AProducing%20large%20wooden%20turbine%20blades%20will%20rely%20heavily%20on%20automated%20manufacturing%20technology.%0A%0AAfter%20the%20LVL%20components%20are%20prepared%2C%20computer-controlled%20CNC%20milling%20equipment%20will%20shape%20the%20engineered%20wood%20into%20aerodynamic%20blade%20structures.%20Digital%20CAD%20models%20will%20guide%20the%20machinery%2C%20allowing%20complex%20blade%20geometries%20to%20be%20manufactured%20with%20high%20precision.%0A%0ACombining%20digital%20production%20techniques%20with%20engineered%20timber%20could%20enable%20wooden%20wind%20turbine%20blades%20to%20move%20beyond%20small-scale%20demonstrations%20and%20into%20industrial%20manufacturing.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20tec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