The University of Limerick and Limerick City and County Council are collaborating on a new project that aims to examine the future of the Irish city and the way that it’s designed. Staff and students from UL are giving the people of Limerick a chance to have their say on the future of their city as part of a new project based at the UL City Centre Campus. The UL School of … [Read more...] about Examining the future design of the city of Limerick
Sustainability
Optimising geothermal foundations for urban buildings
A research team led by Professor Shinya Inazumi from the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, has developed an innovative framework to improve the design and performance of energy piles – concrete foundation systems that also serve as heat exchangers using geothermal energy – especially in soft clay soils. As urbanisation increases and climate … [Read more...] about Optimising geothermal foundations for urban buildings
Leaf-inspired design brings better bioplastics
Researchers at Washington University in St Louis have taken inspiration from the humble leaf to create bioplastics that are both biodegradable and stronger by adding introduce cellulose nanofibers. Society has long struggled with petroleum-derived plastic pollution and awareness of microplastics’ detrimental effects on food and water supplies has added further pressure to … [Read more...] about Leaf-inspired design brings better bioplastics
AI-created materials could reduce your energy bill
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the National University of Singapore and Umea University in Sweden have used machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop new materials known as thermal meta-emitters that could, among other things, keep houses cooler and reduce energy bills. The researchers developed more than … [Read more...] about AI-created materials could reduce your energy bill
New fuel cell can stabilise power grid by making and storing energy
A team of engineers at West Virginia University (WVU) has designed and successfully tested a fuel cell that can switch between storing or making electricity and also generate hydrogen from water. Unlike similar technologies, the fuel cell can withstand the heat and steam generated when running at an industrial scale for long periods at high power. Additionally, it addresses the … [Read more...] about New fuel cell can stabilise power grid by making and storing energy