Latest Stories from Jamie
Complex metal Bismuth may be the future of clean energy
Bismuth is a heavy, brittle metal that forms colourful geometric crystals when melted down. Completely nontoxic and able to absorb light almost anywhere, it may one day power our homes with clean energy. Looking like an artifact straight from a Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Bismuth, or Bismuth Subsalicylate is an iridescent metal which could replace conventional batteries for good in the near future. Bismuth has been a known metal since...
Students are using AI language tools to ace assignments
In a world where AI can be used to do almost anything, students are using language algorithms to write their assignments and are circumventing plagiarism software. As a 14-year-old, I remember attempting to blag my French language homework by using translation tools on Google. My poor attempt failed to fool the teacher, and I promptly found myself in detention. Despite my terrible execution all those years ago, however, it appears I...
A lack of due diligence is spoiling tree planting offsets
Despite growing controversy, the easiest way for a giant conglomerate to continue creating dangerous emissions is through offset programs. In reality, when it comes to tree planting, some such projects are doing far more harm than good. Uncovering instances of greenwashing these days can be achieved with a simple Google search… and a generous helping of common sense. Take, for instance, French oil giant TotalEnergies – which proudly declared last...
Magnetic powder could be key to ridding ocean microplastics
When plastic pollution degrades into tiny fragments it can no longer be detected by wastewater treatment plants. A newly developed magnetic material, however, can effectively hoover up all forms of microplastic to be removed. It may have only entered global discourse in the last few years, but people are now generally aware of the ecological threat posed by microplastics. Split into two categories, primary microplastics are tiny items (typically smaller than...
France officially bans short-haul domestic flights
In a promising turn of events, the European Commission has approved a bill abolishing flights between cities in France. Any journey under 2.5 hours will be scrapped for the next three years, and train travel is being incentivised. It’s taken ages to get here, but finally ink is dry on the paper. Ending close to a two-year stalemate, the European Commission has approved bans to short-haul flights between cities in France....
Cosmic Venus dust inspires pollution cleaning automobile tech
When talking climate innovation, carbon removal is the trendy topic. Researchers from The Conservation, however, are preoccupied with the more immediate threat of nitrogen oxides – found in urban pollution. It sounds cliché to say that inspiration can be found within the stars, but climate innovators are proving exactly that. Right now, efforts to utilise tech for the future prosperity of the planet largely revolve (no pun intended) around decarbonisation. Whether...
Renewable energy overtakes coal in the US for the first time
2022 energy stats from the Energy Information Administration show that the US in on track to generate more power through renewable sources than coal for the first time ever. As numerous reports throughout COP27 showed, the US remains the second most polluting nation on the planet when it comes to carbon emissions. Yet, a week after the summit’s conclusion in Sharm El Sheikh, the US has achieved a hugely significant ecological...
Limiting the carbon footprint of our everyday online habits
Whether it’s work or leisure, avoiding the internet is impossible. Sending emails, streaming videos, and browsing the web generates a larger carbon footprint than you may think. What’s the harm in playing Club Penguin for an hour, streaming a 2-hour Joe Rogan podcast, or sending the folks a charming e-card? It’s definitely worse than you’d think. Perhaps it’s because the internet plays such a huge part in both our work...
Lab cultivated chicken will soon be sold throughout the US
In a move that could help to transition the farming industry away from its polluting and barbaric roots, the commercial sale of lab grown meat has just been approved in the US. The phrase ‘farm to fork’ has always been a big thing in the US, but there will soon be another alternative. Over the weekend, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that cruelty free meat curated under laboratory...
Cryptocurrency Zilliqa is launching a Web3 gaming console in 2023
Popular cryptocurrency Zilliqa is launching its own Web3 games console for 2023. It will reportedly allow players to earn coins while playing its exclusive titles. Does this model have the potential to take off within the industry? While we hear constant talk of the impending Metaverse, Web3 isn’t discussed nearly as much. Both envision hyper-connected worlds for business and entertainment, but crucially the Web3 will be decentralised so no one...
