Sustainability

Piecing together the puzzle of future solar cell materials

Formamidinium lead iodide is considered one of the best-performing materials in the halide perovskite group, since it has promising properties for future solar cell technologies. New findings from Chalmers can now shed light on its structure; this is crucial if we are to engineer and control the material. Global electricity use is increasing rapidly and must be addressed sustainably. Developing new materials could give us much more efficient solar cell materials than at present; materials so thin and flexible that they could encase anything from mobile phones or entire buildings. Using computer simulation and machine learning, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have now taken an important step towards understanding and handling halide perovskites, among the most promising but notoriously enigmatic materials. Electricity use is constantly increasing globally and, according to the International Energy Agency, its proportion of the world’s total energy consumption is expected to exceed 50 per cent in 25 years, compared to the current 20 per cent. “To meet the demand, there is a significant and growing need for new, environmentally friendly and efficient energy conversion methods, such as more efficient solar cells. Our findings are essential to engineer and control one of the most promising solar cell materials for optimal utilisation. It’s very exciting that we now have simulation methods that can answer questions that were unresolved just a few years ago,” says Julia Wiktor, the study’s principal investigator and an associate professor at Chalmers. Promising materials for efficient solar cells Materials lying within a group called halide perovskites are considered the most promising for producing cost-effective, flexible and lightweight solar cells and optoelectronic devices such as LED bulbs, as they absorb and emit light extremely efficiently. However, perovskite materials can degrade quickly and knowing how best to utilise them requires a deeper understanding of […]

Supercharging battery manufacturing in Australia

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened the $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI) to support and grow battery manufacturing in Australia. BBI will provide clean energy manufacturing opportunities for Australia’s workforce and allow Australia to leverage its expertise in battery energy storage. ARENA CEO Darren Miller said batteries are crucial to achieving Australia’s net zero emissions goal. “Energy storage is a critical enabling technology for our renewable energy future. We know that solar and wind energy can provide us the lowest cost renewable energy generation at scale, but we also need to be able to store it for when it is needed.” “BBI will enhance Australia’s battery manufacturing capability, improve supply chain resilience and battery manufacturing processes, and foster innovation.” ARENA will focus on awarding funding to projects across the following areas: Active materials: supporting projects relating to the production of cathode materials, anode materials, and electrolytes used in electrochemical batteries Battery cell manufacturing: supporting manufacture of electrochemical battery cells and components that directly support battery cell manufacturing Battery pack assembly: supporting projects related to battery pack assembly, which includes the connection of battery cells (or modules and flow battery stacks) into battery packs. Central to the National Battery Strategy, the program has been designed in consultation with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and a broad range of stakeholders. BBI is aligned with the Economic Resilience and Security stream of the Future Made in Australia (FMA) policy agenda. Funding provided through BBI may include capital grants, production incentives or other payments deemed appropriate by ARENA for the project. Program guidelines and other support documentation are now available on ARENA’s website. The submission portal will open in August 2025. Project proponents are strongly encouraged to contact ARENA before submitting an application. The program will remain open until […]

Australia’s competitiveness hits 13-year high

Australia rose to 13th from 19th place out of 67 nations for competitiveness, according to the Swiss-based IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024. It was Australia’s highest ranking in 13 years. The improved ranking is the result of Australia’s stronger business and government investment, population growth and budget positions. Australia’s stable economy, transparent regulations and global business ties provide a secure and thriving environment for investors. Singapore, Switzerland and Denmark were ranked the world’s top three most competitive economies respectively. While the United States was ranked 12th (down three places), the United Kingdom, France and Japan were outside the top 20. The World Competitiveness Ranking measures economies, regions and sub-regions based on how they optimise their individual competencies to achieve long-term value for their people. The ranking examines economic performance, business efficiency, government efficiency and infrastructure. Top 10 for economic performance Australia’s overall economic performance improved from 10th to 7th. Australia’s competitiveness in international investment was ranked in the global top five. The high ranking reflected the country’s strong performance in both inbound and outbound investment. Strong international trade, high commodity prices and a comparatively healthy local economy have also helped drive this rebound in Australia’s competitiveness. Australia was ranked highly for: government efficiency (13th in the world) infrastructure (18th in the world) business efficiency (22nd in the world). Read more about Australia’s competitiveness profile [PDF, 440KB] in the IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024. A top investment destination Australia has long been a top destination for investment, thanks to a resilient economy, a skilled workforce, and stable and transparent regulatory frameworks. Strong business ties with Asian markets make Australia a natural springboard into the fast-growing region. In green energy and critical minerals, Australia is a global leader – and intends to capitalise on its natural advantages to become a renewable energy superpower. […]

A global treaty to limit plastic pollution is within reach

Winnie Courtene-Jones, Lecturer in Marine Pollution, Bangor University. Representatives from 175 countries will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, in August for the final round of negotiations on a legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution. Non-governmental organisations, academics and industry lobbyists will also be in the room. They will all be hoping to influence what could be the world’s first truly global agreement on plastics. The summit, known as “INC-5.2”, follows a failed attempt to reach agreement in Busan, South Korea, late last year. That meeting ended without resolving important issues, despite hopes that it would conclude the treaty process. Now, it’s crunch time in Geneva. Either countries bridge their political divides, or risk the whole process falling apart. I’ve been researching the effects of plastic for more than a decade and have been involved in the UN treaty process since 2022. I’ve attended several of the negotiations and will be in Geneva next month. The science is clear: we need ambitious action which tackles every stage of the plastics lifecycle, from production through to disposal. But the question is, will countries deliver? In 2022, the UN Environment Assembly agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. Since then, progress has been slow. Negotiations have repeatedly stalled over issues such as whether the treaty should limit plastic production or regulate chemicals, how to define terms, and how to fund implementation. Environment activists calling for a strong global plastics treaty in Busan, South Korea, December 2025. Associated Press/Alamy Industry lobbying has also played a powerful role throughout. At the last round of talks, lobbyists for the petrochemical and plastics industries made up the single largest delegation. They outnumbered representatives from the EU, all of Latin America, the Pacific islands, independent scientists and Indigenous communities. This imbalance threatens to weaken the science-based action that is urgently […]

Rugged devices drive innovation in harsh industrial environments

Manufacturing environments expose both equipment and processes to constant stress. Heat, vibration, airborne particulates, moisture, and noise all affect how people work and how well operations run. Even in these tough conditions, manufacturers push to improve speed, accuracy and system responsiveness. Rugged devices support these efforts by reducing delays, improving visibility and connecting decision-making directly to the point of action, according to Getac. Frank Baldrighi, business development manager – Australia and New Zealand, Getac, said, “Work no longer depends on desktop access or end-of-shift reporting to progress. Rugged devices provide mobile, durable access to the tools and data that workers require in real time. Teams can track workflow progress, review equipment histories, update maintenance logs, and verify task details onsite, all without leaving the immediate work area. This removes unnecessary downtime, compresses feedback cycles, and improves responsiveness across teams.” Access to live data at the point of use eliminates ambiguity so workers can verify specifications, update quality data, and escalate emerging issues without interrupting production. Many of these tasks would have involved manual paperwork or communication through supervisory layers in traditional environments. However, rugged devices reduce those handovers and bring execution and oversight closer together, letting operators make better, faster decisions based on current conditions and clear instructions. Training also improves when workers interact with real systems while guided by context-specific instructions. Augmented and mixed reality applications help new employees follow correct procedures while completing actual tasks. This approach accelerates learning and reduces reliance on legacy knowledge held by a small group of experienced staff. Sustainability efforts similarly benefit from this shift in visibility. Workers can identify avoidable waste, inefficiencies, and asset fatigue during the task, not after production has ended. Energy usage, cycle timing, material flow, and process deviations become measurable and actionable in real time. Maintenance teams can […]

Trillions to be unlocked in sustainable investment opportunities in Asia

Asia’s robust economic fundamentals present significant opportunities for scaling financing into sustainable development projects, even amid geopolitical headwinds and trade tensions, said policy and business leaders at the inaugural Hong Kong edition of Unlocking capital for sustainability. Against the backdrop of increasing global polarisation and accelerating climate change, Asia is uniquely positioned to lead decarbonisation efforts and capitalise on the opportunities that the region’s green transition offers. Hong Kong, in particular, has emerged as a key gateway in the region for sustainable finance, authorising over 220 environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds last year, with assets under management (AUM) totaling HK$1.2 trillion, with opportunities for trillions more. In his keynote address, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, noted that Hong Kong’s “markets, regulatory frameworks and connectivity with global capital flows position us uniquely – not merely as a gateway, but as a catalyst for scaling green and transition finance across Asia and beyond.” Hong Kong is making significant strides, with green and sustainable debt issuances in 2024 exceeding US$84 billion. The city is also fostering cross-border trade and digital collaboration in carbon markets to connect capital with carbon projects worldwide, developing its FinTech ecosystem to finance underfunded and impactful green projects, and building the capacity of its workforce to meet the demand for green skills, highlighted Hui. Themed “Mobilising capital for the green transition”, the inaugural Hong Kong edition of the thought leadership forum, organised by Eco-Business in partnership with United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), took place during Hong Kong’s Wealth and Investment Mega Week. Hosted at Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, the forum gathered more than 120 decision-makers across government, finance and industry to identify the solutions needed to mobilise finance for Asia’s […]

Masdar City’s Net-Zero Model Sets Sustainability Benchmark, but AI Holds Key for Aging Cities, Experts Claim

A new white paper from Masdar City highlights the UAE’s leadership in net-zero urban development. Energy experts say that net-zero strategies could also be applied to most cities worldwide, even when the biggest challenge is in retrofitting old existing buildings. Built as a purpose-driven net-zero city, Masdar eliminates the need for future retrofits by integrating energy efficiency from the start. However, decarbonization remains a challenge for most cities worldwide, where most buildings are decades old. Experts argue that AI-driven energy management could provide a viable solution, optimizing real-time energy use in existing infrastructure without the financial burden of deep renovations. “Masdar City demonstrates what’s possible when sustainability is built into urban planning from the ground up,” said Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio, a company that implements AI-based energy efficiency tools in commercial buildings. “But most of the world’s cities don’t have that luxury. The question is: how do we bring net-zero strategies to older buildings without breaking budgets? AI is the most practical answer.” Buildings account for 40% of the EU’s final energy consumption and contribute 36% of its energy-related emissions. In Europe alone, 75% of buildings were constructed before 2000 and remain energy-inefficient, with 85-95% expected to still be in use by 2050–the net-zero deadline. This pattern is reflected globally, particularly in dense urban areas where outdated infrastructure dominates city skylines. While Masdar’s white paper highlights the importance of renewable energy, smart grids, and green building certifications like LEED, these approaches favor new developments and regions with access to significant capital. According to Karčiauskas, for cities with aging infrastructure, the challenge lies in improving operational efficiency rather than rebuilding from scratch. “Certifications like LEED are useful for ensuring new buildings meet sustainability benchmarks,” he noted. “But they don’t address how older buildings actually operate. Without real-time energy monitoring, sustainability […]

Rolls-Royce and TCS Collaborate on Hydrogen Research Programme

TCS expands its partnership with Rolls-Royce to research hydrogen fuel system technology, continuing to prove hydrogen could be a zero-carbon aviation fuel of the future. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has expanded its partnership with Rolls-Royce, a British multinational specialising in civil aerospace, defense aerospace, services and power systems, to advance its sustainable initiatives. This collaboration involves research into hydrogen fuel system technology, continuing to prove hydrogen could be a zero-carbon aviation fuel of the future. TCS, leveraging its expertise as a trusted service provider, will provide engineering skills and support to Rolls-Royce as it addresses three key challenges in the journey to enabling hydrogen for use in aviation: fuel combustion, fuel delivery, and fuel systems integration with an engine. All elements must be confirmed to operate safely. This partnership underscores TCS’s commitment to driving sustainable transformation across industries, aligning with its broader mission to harness technology for positive societal impact. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set ambitious targets for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, necessitating innovative sustainability solutions. Alan Newby, Director, Research and Technology, Rolls-Royce, said, “We welcome TCS to our hydrogen research programme and their engineering skills will play a valuable role in addressing our technology goals. We’ve already made great progress and having TCS with us gives us additional capability as we move forward on our journey to enable the energy transition for the aviation sector.” This expanded partnership was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow where TCS also showcased its technological prowess in the aviation industry. The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between Rolls-Royce and the Tata Group, including engines and a strong supply chain commitment. TCS has also been working with Rolls-Royce since 2010 in the areas of design, manufacturing engineering, control […]

How leveraging smart factories optimises products and operations for manufacturers

Mei Dent, Chief Product and Technology Officer, TeamViewer Manufacturing processes and supply chains have become more complex over the past few years, making traditional methods insufficient to meet the demand for greater customisation and shorter production cycles. Manufacturers feel pressured by rising labour and material costs to find more efficient ways to produce high-quality goods. Additionally, the increasing need to meet environmental regulations and sustainability goals pushes manufacturers to adopt greener practices. As global competition intensifies, manufacturers must find ways to innovate and stay agile to respond quickly to market changes. Smart factories address these challenges by integrating advanced technologies to create a more responsive, efficient, and sustainable production environment. By leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to deliver predictive analytics and big data, manufacturers can optimise processes, manage inventory in real time, streamline logistics, and improve factory management. Smart factories collect, process, and use this data to gain valuable insights. Real-time production monitoring and closed-loop optimisations, along with collaboration between advanced robotics and humans, help create these transformations. However, a significant challenge in smart factory implementation is the disconnect between IT professionals and plant managers, particularly regarding data collection, outcome creation, and data protection. IT professionals often advocate for comprehensive data collection to optimise predictive maintenance, while plant managers are more concerned with the practical, immediate concerns such as knowing which machines are currently in production, how production is running, and maintaining seamless operations. IT professionals’ preference for leveraging cloud solutions can also clash with plant managers’ concerns about security and the usability of hyper-scale offerings. For example, IT professionals may push for automated updates and virtualisation, whereas plant managers worry about if production is operating at the level needed and the potential disruptions to long-established production systems. Bridging these […]

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