Potential adverse effects of climate change, known as climate risks, increasingly concern economists, city planners, ecologists, and many others. This week, we spoke with Dr. Ron Dembo, an expert in multi-factor scenario modeling, who is pioneering the use of AI to run climate risk assessments.
Dr. Omar Yaghi has recently led research in developing “Covalent organic framework number 999,” or COF 999, a yellow, powder-like material that has the potential to change make great steps forward in limiting carbon dioxide emissions. Just half a pound of the powder can absorb as much carbon dioxide in a year as a full grown tree. This week, we spoke with Dr. Yaghi about COF 999 and what it can do.
As air travel and shipping have become a permanent fixture of modern international life, the world feels the environmental impacts of pollution from aircraft. This week, we spoke with climate and aviation researcher Matteo Mirolo about eliminating contrails, the white cloud formations that stream behind airplanes, to increase sustainability.
Methane, the primary component of natural gas, can be emitted through leaks in agricultural operations, waste disposal, and energy production. This week, we spoke to Dr. Timiebi Aganaba about using satellites to detect leaks, and strategies for using the data for good.
Current refrigerant technologies use gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) to function. These gases pose a threat to global stability, given their warming and ozone depletion potential. To solve this issue, scientists like Dr. Drew Lilley are developing ways to perform refrigeration and heating without the need for environmentally hazardous gases, like ionocaloric refrigeration.
As the world explores the promising prospects of mainstream sustainable energy, many have looked towards solutions that optimize carbon footprints and conversion rates. We spoke to Jun Yao, Professor of Engineering at the University of Massachusetts who led the Air Gen project, about the scientific breakthroughs his team have made on air humidity energy conversion—using air filters to capture water particles and taking advantage of their natural charges.
Lithium-ion batteries are an integral part of life in our modern electrified world. However, they may not be the best choice as demand increases. We spoke to Dr. Jason Croy from the Argonne National Laboratory, who is working on solutions like nickel-manganese-cobalt cathodes.