The Latest Breaking News from EPSRC

How to cut harmful emissions from ditches and canals – new research

Ditches and canals are the underdog of the freshwater world. These human-made waterways are often forgotten, devalued and perceived negatively – think “dull as ditchwater”. But these unsung heroes have a hidden potential for climate change mitigation, if they’re managed correctly.

The Conversation · Jan 29

Why do people support or oppose bike lanes? Our research sheds light on public opinion

Cities across the UK are investing in new cycle lanes and traffic restrictions to cut congestion, improve air quality and promote active travel for better health. Yet, if recent debates are anything to go by, you might think such measures were deeply unpopular.

The Conversation · Jan 19

Why the energy transition won’t be green until mine waste disasters are prevented

On February 18, contamination in the Kafue river, Zambia, led to a mass death of fish. Its water turned a deathly grey and adjacent farmland was poisoned. The drinking water it supplied to half a million residents of the town of Kitwe was suddenly cut off.

The Conversation · Apr 25, 2025

Next generation computers: new wiring material could transform chip technology

The rapid technological advancements of our world have been enabled by our capacity to design and fabricate ever smaller electronic chips. These underpin computers, mobile phones and every smart device deployed to date.

The Conversation · Jan 17, 2025

Recruiting the world’s first disabled astronaut doesn’t mean space travel is inclusive – here’s how to change that

In the past, spaceflight was the preserve of government-funded astronauts who had to meet stringent physical, cognitive, psychological and social requirements for selection. But in recent years, that has all been changing.

The Conversation · Oct 31, 2024

The gas crisis is not over yet

Policy and luck have bought Europe a reprieve from the heights gas prices reached between the winters of 2022 and 2023, but prices are climbing again and the global gas market remains precariously balanced.

The Conversation · Oct 22, 2024

New technologies could help destroy persistent ‘forever chemicals’

Scientists and engineers are developing new ways to destroy per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) efficiently and sustainably. This class of chemicals is known as “forever chemicals” because PFAS persist and accumulate in the environment, animals and our bodies.

The Conversation · Oct 11, 2024

Why the UK government’s £500 million investment in Port Talbot is not enough to secure the British steel industry

At first glance, a £500 million government investment into a critical industry looks like a move designed to inspire confidence. But the large sum will provide little comfort to the 2,500 people expected to lose their jobs as Tata Steel close the UK’s last blast furnace at Port Talbot in…

The Conversation · Sep 19, 2024

Could rotating black holes be the wind turbines powering the distant future? We tested the physics

Black holes are mysterious objects – there’s a lot we don’t know about them. One longstanding question has been whether rotating black holes, which are so powerful they drag space-time along with them, could be used as an energy source.

The Conversation · Sep 18, 2024

Wind powers a record summer for renewable energy in Britain

Great Britain’s electricity system (Northern Ireland is part of the integrated Irish electricity grid) made a leap forward in August 2024. The amount of power generated by fossil fuels fell to 3.6 terrawatt-hours (TWh), its lowest level in over a century. This meant that each kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed during…

The Conversation · Sep 11, 2024