Resources, Environment and Climate

Pioneering thinker – then and now: electricity from chemistry

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Pioneering thinker – then and now: electricity from chemistry

In 1800, Alessandro Volta described the first-ever functioning battery. Michael Thackeray, PhD, later paved the way for lithium battery technology.

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Personal wind power

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Personal wind power

A wind turbine you can pack in the back of your car and take with you – nemoi, developed by Argentinean company Semtive.

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Light from saltwater

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Light from saltwater

Bringing light into Philippine huts and houses with saltwater is an idea developed by Aisa and Raphael Mijeno and their Asian startup SALt.

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Storing sunshine

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Storing sunshine

Solar thermal power plants can convert the sun’s energy into electricity when the sun is not shining. Experts foresee a great future for this is environment-friendly technology.

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Circular vision in the East

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Circular vision in the East

Professor Du Huanzheng, Director at Tongji University, believes China has a few things to learn but also a lot to share about circular economy.

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Circular economy: A visionary roadmap?

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Circular economy: A visionary roadmap?

In a world of limited resources, new economic models are needed. The circular economy is an idea that is gaining ground. What does it mean and how does it work?

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Naturally good? Searching for new bio-based raw materials for industry

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Naturally good? Searching for new bio-based raw materials for industry

Worldwide, the bioeconomy is gaining traction. But a lot of research and development still needs to be done. When are renewable resources truly good?

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3 questions for Nikolaus Raupp

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3 questions for Nikolaus Raupp

BASF project manager Nikolaus Raupp, PhD, explains how the biomass balance approach certified by technical inspection board TÜV SÜD works.

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Using nature to protect plants

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Using nature to protect plants

We take a look inside a BASF production site in England that breeds nematodes – tiny worms that can be used in plant protection to control pests.

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Harvesting water from the air

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Harvesting water from the air

A tower invented by Italian designer Arturo Vittori can collect an average of 50 to 100 liters of drinking water per day. But how does it work?

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Mobility in the city of tomorrow

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Mobility in the city of tomorrow

Autonomous vehicles, road signs on demand, self-driving capsules and cars that can be folded up for parking: A vision of how we could move around in the city of tomorrow.

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Pioneering thinker – then and now: catalysis

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Pioneering thinker – then and now: catalysis

In 1823, Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner discovered platinum catalysis. Ferdi Schüth later paved the way for high throughput technology to be used in catalysis.

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Energy grows on trees

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Energy grows on trees

With 54 microturbines that look like leaves, the Arbre à Vent^® can generate energy nearly without making any noise

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Steady voltage, for smartphones, tablets and more?

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Steady voltage, for smartphones, tablets and more?

A powder made from iron scrap protects our electronic devices.

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Developing the batteries that will drive the future

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Developing the batteries that will drive the future

Improving the performance of batteries is what drives researchers at BASF’s Battery Materials Lab in Amagasaki, Japan.

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Plastic: A victim of its own success?

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Plastic: A victim of its own success?

Plastics under discussion: Two experts share their views on plastics.

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The future of mobility

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The future of mobility

Mobility in the 21^st century requires innovation. Discover cities and technologies that demonstrate how it’s possible to meet the challenge of the century.

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Time to change direction

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Time to change direction

An increasing population, climate change and urbanization – the world is changing rapidly with new demands arising. How innovative concepts are changing the future of mobility.

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Keeping the world moving

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Keeping the world moving

Mary Crass of the International Transport Forum about strategies to improve mobility worldwide.

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Buildings as Powerhouses

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Buildings as Powerhouses

Intelligent façades and coatings combined with innovative insulation materials – when buildings become power stations.

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Shale gas under discussion

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Shale gas under discussion

Long-term security of energy supply or an incalculable risk? Two experts share their views on shale gas production.

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CasaE - Brazil’s first energy efficient house

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CasaE - Brazil’s first energy efficient house

How do we meet rising demand for urban housing without it costing the earth? CasaE in São Paulo, Brazil’s first energy efficient house, shows some solutions.

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Grass-powered lawnmowers

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Grass-powered lawnmowers

The idea is as spectacular as it is obvious: The lawnmower EcoMow is fueled by grass. 

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How do tabs make dishes shine?

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How do tabs make dishes shine?

Chemistry around us: Ho do dishwashing tabs manage to get dirty dishes sparkling clear?

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The new source

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The new source

Sea water desalination maintains the water supply on the island of Cyprus. Ultrafiltration membranes play an important role in desalination.

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The thirst of cities

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The thirst of cities

Increasing numbers of cities are running dry. Smart strategies are required to ensure they are supplied with water.

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Children are the agents of change

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Children are the agents of change

In the Indian city of Mangalore, students learn about the value of water and share their knowledge with the community.

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A world of water

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A world of water

John Briscoe is a cosmopolitan and a water expert. In this interview he explains what the future of water management could be.

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Powered by play

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Powered by play

Soccket is a ball – and a tiny power station. During a regular game of soccer, it generates and stores electricity.

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Robots eliminate desert dust

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Robots eliminate desert dust

Solar modules lose much of their efficiency when they get dirty. Ridha Azaiz developed a robot that cleans solar panels.

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Charting new waters

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Charting new waters

These three cities are leading the way toward water systems of the future.

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Better hygiene thanks to Peepoo

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Better hygiene thanks to Peepoo

With Peepoo, the Swedish architect Professor Anders Wilhelmson has developed an inexpensive single-use alternative to the flush toilet.

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Quenching thirst with saltwater

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Quenching thirst with saltwater

Eliodomestico is a solar-powered water distiller for coastal populations in the developing world.

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Magnetic cooling

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Magnetic cooling

The next generation of refrigerators and air conditioners will be even more environmentally friendly thanks to magnetocaloric materials.

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Our urban future

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Our urban future

More and more people are urban dwellers. How we can solve the challenges of growing cities.

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Staging a green revolution

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Staging a green revolution

How Hollywood star Cate Blanchett is transforming the Sydney Theatre Company’s home into a showpiece for sustainable building.

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The diplomat of sustainability

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The diplomat of sustainability

Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, explains how this ambitious energy-saving project works.

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Masdar City

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Masdar City

Masdar City will be a showcase for sustainable urban development. The buildings completed so far are using 100% renewable energy.

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Breaking the mold

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Breaking the mold

Designed using sustainable materials, with a contribution from BASF, the Lofthome is affordable, beautiful – and as Lofthome architect Robert van Kats explains, it is proving very popular.  

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Efficient solar tree

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Efficient solar tree

New Yorker Aidan Dwyer is just 15 years old, but has already created a stir in the solar industry.

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Municipal recycling concepts

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Municipal recycling concepts

Given the growing amount of trash, municipalities have to come up with solutions for how to deal with household waste.

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Sustainable construction

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Sustainable construction

There are many sides to sustainable housing and construction – as our glimpse around the globe shows.

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