Results
- Showing results for:
- Reset all filters
Search results
-
Journal articleMoss B, Liang C, Carpenter A, et al., 2026,
Publisher Correction: Operando ultraviolet–visible optical spectroelectrochemistry of surfaces (Nature Reviews Methods Primers, (2025), 5, 1, (73), 10.1038/s43586-025-00445-4)
, Nature Reviews Methods Primers, Vol: 6Correction to: Nature Reviews Methods Primershttps://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-025-00445-4, published online 20 November 2025. In the version of the article initially published, Reshma R. Rao and Ifan E. L. Stephens were incorrectly listed with affiliation 1 when it should have been affiliation 2 (Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, UK). In the “Collimation, colour balancing and light guides” section, the equation N=fD should have read N≈Df. In Fig. 1a, the label “σα(λ)” should have read “∆α(λ)”. In Fig. 5c, the colours in the key were switched and should have been a green dot for “PD — IRM” and the blue line should have been “J<inf>cat</inf>”. In Fig. 6a, the bottom label “Redox transition 3” should have been “Redox transition 1”. These corrections have been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.
-
Journal articleLi C, Deng S, Cao XE, et al., 2026,
Accelerating widespread adoption of direct air capture based on system perspective: Thermodynamic limits, geographical deployment, and clean energy integration
, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol: 230, ISSN: 1364-0321Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a critical negative emission technology essential to achieve the global climate targets. However, its widespread adoption is hindered by a multitude of technical, economic, deployment, and sustainability challenges. The purpose of this review is to bridge this critical gap by deconstructing the challenges and opportunities for DAC through a novel, three-tiered analytical framework. Basically, the fundamental challenge of DAC lies in the high energy consumption and low exergy efficiency associated with CO<inf>2</inf> enrichment from its low atmospheric concentration. Analysis suggests that the thermodynamic limits of different DAC pathways, which dictate their theoretical energy consumption, are the primary determinants of their technological maturity and potential for large-scale development. From the perspective of geographical deployment, the idealized notion of placing DAC facilities anywhere is unfeasible due to practical, location-specific constraints. Combining large-scale centralized hubs with agile distributed units is a critical enabler for achieving diversified and efficient deployment. Furthermore, as the environmental benefits of DAC are critically dependent on the availability of clean energy, effective integration with the energy system is paramount. The argument of this review is that DAC, when combined with CO<inf>2</inf> utilization and storage and powered by clean energy, may hold distinct advantages over Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) in terms of theoretical removal potential and resource sustainability, presenting a fundamental opportunity for DAC to become a true negative carbon solution. By providing such a holistic synthesis, our work establishes a strategic roadmap for prioritizing research, investment, and policy, transforming the discourse from isolated technical problems to a cohesive system-engineering challenge.
-
ReportPinto I, Kimutai J, Zachariah M, et al., 2026,
La Niña, Climate change, high exposure and vulnerability combined led to devastating floods in parts of Southern Africa
, WWA scientific report -
ReportClarke B, Keeping T, Zachariah M, et al., 2026,
Climate change eclipses La Niña cooling in Australia to drive extreme heatwave and heightened fire risk
-
Journal articleWu J, Zhang Y, Jiang M, et al., 2026,
Onboard carbon capture, utilization, and storage
, Cell Reports Physical Science, Vol: 7Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) represents a key carbon-reduction strategy with significant potential to address global climate change. Current research primarily focuses on mitigation approaches for large-scale terrestrial emitters, such as power plants and petrochemical facilities, whereas comprehensive reviews in the maritime sector remain relatively scarce. In particular, there is a lack of studies that synthesize international development experiences or explore future trends aimed at meeting increasingly stringent carbon-reduction requirements in shipping. This paper reviews the current state of shipboard carbon-capture systems worldwide and emphasizes that real-time onboard CO<inf>2</inf> processing and utilization is likely to emerge as a critical pathway for decarbonizing the shipping industry. Given the distinct composition of marine exhaust gases and the challenges associated with integrating CCUS systems on vessels, future efforts should prioritize integrated system design. Moreover, dedicated technological development adapted to the maritime environment is essential to advance ship-based CCUS solutions.
-
Journal articleZhong Q, Gan J, Tu S, et al., 2026,
Global increase in rain rate of tropical cyclones prior to landfall.
, Nat Commun, Vol: 17Most studies on tropical cyclone (TC) rain rate focus on long-term variability, yet the short-term (days or shorter) variations across the TC lifecycle, with a particular focus on the period before landfall, are most critical because they strongly influence flood risk. Using satellite data, we show that, globally, the mean rain rate of TCs increases by over 20% from 60 hours before landfall to the time of landfall. This increase occurs across hemispheres, ocean basins, intensity categories, and latitudes, although the magnitude varies. As a TC approaches the coast, land-sea thermal contrasts raise low-level humidity over land, while frictional differences enhance convergence, upward motion, and instability on the offshore side of the circulation. These conditions collectively promote increased convection and precipitation of TCs as they near landfall. Our findings critically strengthen the current understanding of TC precipitation dynamics and support more effective flood management.
-
Journal articleCao XE, 2026,
An unconventional path to convergence
, Matter, Vol: 9, ISSN: 2590-2393In this Matter of Opinion, Xiangkun (Elvis) Cao reflects on how his humble background from rural China sparked his scientific curiosity. Cao also shares how his unconventional journey spanning academia, policy, entrepreneurship, and industry consulting has shaped his vision as he starts his independent scientific career at Imperial College London, aiming to impact climate and sustainability at the convergence of technology, business, and policy.
-
Journal articleDuarte RPM, Rao R, Ryan MP, et al., 2026,
Beyond activity: a perspective on diagnosing instability of reversible O₂ catalysts for metal-air batteries
, EES Catalysis, Vol: 4, Pages: 55-76, ISSN: 2753-801XZinc–air redox flow batteries have high potential to penetrate the stationary energy storage market, due to the abundancy, and low cost of active species – oxygen and zinc. However, their technological fruition is limited by the development of reversible O2 electrodes operating at potentials between 0.6 VRHE to 1.7 VRHE, under which no catalyst material has been shown to be stable over long durations. Despite heavy research on the topic of reversible O2 catalysis, little is known about the parameters controlling the stability of the bifunctional catalyst. Several research accounts assess the activity of reversible O2 catalysts, but only a small portion cover degradation mechanism over such a large potential window. In this perspective, we summarize our current understanding of material challenges for Zn–air batteries, reversible O2 catalyst integration strategies, and electrochemical behaviour, with a particular focus on catalyst stability. Nickel cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4), a promising yet understudied system, is used as an example material for investigations at potentials of both the O2 reduction (ORR) and evolution (OER) reactions. We also report original data employing ex situ X-ray diffraction, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as electrochemical measurements to study the activity of NiCo2O4. Furthermore, electrochemical accelerated stress tests are coupled with post-mortem transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study the dissolution, compositional changes and amorphization of the top surface 5 nm of the catalyst surface. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed irreversible oxidation of Co centres in NiCo2O4 during OER, which explains the reduction in activity of the ORR after the catalyst was exposed to anodic OER potentials. This methodology provides a broader method to screen reversible O2 catalyst stability and enables us to sum
-
Journal articleLi M, Toumi R, 2026,
Attributing causes of increased intensity of North Atlantic hurricanes using a stochastic model (IRIS)
, Environmental Research Communications, Vol: 8, Pages: 011009-011009<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> Understanding how changing conditions influence tropical cyclone (TC) intensity is of great importance. This study applies a stochastic model (IRIS) to attribute the causes of the increased North Atlantic hurricane intensity from 1979 to 2024. In the model, the increased potential intensity and southward track shifts towards higher potential intensity comparably contribute to an increasing trend of 0.08 m s <jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> per year in the lifetime maximum intensity. However, the simulated trends were not sensitive to the epochal changes in relative intensity to date. The model also predicts a southward shift in landfall (−0.10 <jats:sup>∘</jats:sup> /yr), which is hard to detect. Our findings emphasize an increasing recent TC risk, particularly at low latitudes. </jats:p>
-
Journal articleWang J, Chen R, Huang C, et al., 2026,
Mapping innovations in direct air capture: A systematic patent review and literature comparison
, RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS, Vol: 226, ISSN: 1364-0321 -
ReportOtto F, Keeping T, Vrkic D, et al., 2025,
Unequal evidence and impacts, limits to adaptation: Extreme Weather in 2025
-
ReportKew S, Zachariah M, Barnes C, et al., 2025,
Increasing heavy rainfall and extreme flood heights in a warming climate threaten densely populated regions across Sri Lanka and the Malacca Strait
-
Journal articleLiu S, Li S, Cao XE, et al., 2025,
An ultra-fast and eco-friendly recycling process for spent LIBs using deep eutectic solvents: mechanism and life-cycle insight
, Green Chemistry, Vol: 27, Pages: 14648-14657, ISSN: 1463-9262The accumulation of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) highlights the need for an efficient and environmentally friendly recycling process. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained significant attention due to their benefits of being green and economical; however, the environmental impact of processes using DESs has not been widely studied yet. In this context, a rapid leaching method using a green choline chloride (ChCl)–maleic acid (MA) DES was applied to LIBs leaching, which showed much enhanced kinetics compared with most of the DESs and achieved high leaching efficiencies of 84.53% for Li and 80.04% for Co from LCO within 10 min at 140 °C. The ChCl–MA DES can serve both as a lixiviant and a reducing agent, with a reducing ability comparable to that of the traditional hydrometallurgy reductant H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf>. The ChCl–MA DES presented good reusability and adaptability which can be reused for 5 times with performance remained unchanged and suitable for multiple LIBs include LMO, LFP and NMC. Through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the leaching mechanism was analyzed: the carboxyl group of MA reduced Co(iii) to Co(ii), making it soluble, and Cl<sup>−</sup> within the DES formed stable [LiCl<inf>2</inf>]<sup>−</sup> and [CoCl<inf>4</inf>]<sup>2−</sup> complexes with Li and Co, respectively. Moreover, based on a life cycle assessment (LCA), the environmental impact of the DES leaching process was assessed and it was validated as being effective and eco-friendly for recycling spent LIBs, compared with an ethylene glycol DES, a urea DES, and the same DES with different molar ratios. This study eliminated the use of corrosive acids and mitigated the typically severe conditions of DES leaching, offering a practical approach for recovering spent LIBs.
-
ReportWestbury P, Arlinghaus J, Bateman I, et al., 2025,
The UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund Greenhouse Gas Removal Demonstrators (GGR-D) Programme: an overview of key research insights and cross-cutting lessons
, Publisher: Grantham Institute for Climate Change -
Journal articleLi X, Liu C, Cao XE, et al., 2025,
Powering chemical hydrogen storage with photothermochemical catalysis
, MATTER, Vol: 8, ISSN: 2590-2393 -
Journal articleLi S, Du Z, Wang J, et al., 2025,
Direct air capture-assisted sustainable fuel solution in maritime sector: a carbon footprint perspective
, Carbon Research, Vol: 4Carbon emissions reduction within the maritime sector is pivotal for realizing zero-carbon goals and mitigating climate impacts. Adopting renewable carbon fuels presents a potent strategy. It is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of its negative carbon attributes and enduring contributions to future development based on carbon footprint assessment. By using the CO<inf>2</inf> captured through direct air capture (DAC) technology and the H<inf>2</inf> obtained via water electrolysis as feedstock, electro-methanol (e-methanol) can be produced under renewable energy-driven conditions. Owing to the environmental benefits and economic feasibility of e-methanol, we highlight its potential as a practical alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based technical scenarios. A quantitative analysis of this integrated system from a carbon footprint perspective allows for an environmental sustainability assessment. According to predictions, scaled-up usage of the system can reduce the maritime sector's contribution to global carbon emissions by half by 2050.
-
Journal articleDavids D, Grant N, Mittal S, et al., 2025,
Combined warming index energy system analysis framework for methane leakage rate and carbon capture rate uncertainty
, MethodsX, Vol: 15, ISSN: 2215-0161Fossil fuels dominate the production of hydrogen and will continue to contribute in a decarbonised future. Blue hydrogen production from natural gas with carbon capture and storage technology applied is seen as the major route for natural gas in a future Hydrogen Economy. Methane leakage rate in natural gas supply chains and carbon capture rate are two critical parameters for the success of blue hydrogen. Despite this, the linked effect of the variables are difficult to identify, especially in terms of their impacts on decarbonisation metrics within the energy system. We formulate a new Combined Warming Index (CWI) measure and develop a framework for analysing the influence of methane leakage rate and carbon capture rate on blue hydrogen viability and other relevant energy system characteristics.Framework outline:• Investigate energy system scenarios within a range of methane leakage rates and carbon capture rates (varying Combined Warming Indices [CWI]) on blue hydrogen.• Analyse important energy system dynamic parameter indicators versus the Combined Warming Index (CWI).• Resultant energy system trends for methane leakage rates and carbon capture rates analysed against Combined Warming Index (CWI) establish unique property envelopes that reveal the state of the energy system at conditions and periods of interest.
-
Journal articleMoss B, Liang C, Carpenter A, et al., 2025,
Operando ultraviolet-visible optical spectroelectrochemistry of surfaces
, NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS, Vol: 5 -
Journal articleChen J, Kang Y, Toumi R, et al., 2025,
Increasing Temporal Variability of Global Tropical Cyclone Near-Storm Rainfall Under Global Warming: Insights From CMIP6 HighResMIP Simulations
, JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES, Vol: 130, ISSN: 2169-897X -
Journal articleSibug-Torres SM, Niihori M, Wyatt E, et al., 2025,
Transient Au-Cl adlayers modulate the surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles during redox reactions
, NATURE CHEMISTRY, ISSN: 1755-4330- Cite
- Citations: 1
-
ReportBarnes C, Zachariah M, Cerezo-Mota R, et al., 2025,
Heavy rainfall leading to widespread flooding in eastern Mexico disproportionately impacts highly exposed Indigenous and socially vulnerable communities
-
ReportClarke B, Barnes C, Keeping T, et al., 2025,
Climate change enhanced intensity of Hurricane Melissa, testing limits of adaptation in Jamaica and eastern Cuba
-
Journal articleWang J, Chen M, Cao XE, et al., 2025,
24-h Bidirectional Thermal Energy Harvesting: From Light to Darkness
, ADVANCED MATERIALS, ISSN: 0935-9648 -
Journal articleSparks N, Toumi R, 2025,
The impact of global warming on U.S. hurricane landfall: a storyline approach
, Environmental Research Letters, Vol: 20, ISSN: 1748-9326The projection of hurricane activity under climate change is challenging. The Imperial College Storm Model (IRIS) was used to analyse the impact of global warming on North Atlantic hurricane landfall through a storyline approach. The storyline assumes increases of potential intensity (PI) as the cause of change with no changes to tracks or basin frequency. This allows study of both recenttrends and projections for the first time in a consistent way. The observed hurricane intensification is simulated but underestimated. For a +2◦C global warming scenario hurricanes of intensity Category 4 and above become 62% more likely in the basin and nearly twice (92%) more likely at landfall. The future number of hurricanes, their decay and tracks are uncertain and their impact is examined by sensitivity studies. Reduction of the basin count offsets warming driven landfall frequency increases only for weaker hurricanes. The increased frequency and fraction of the most damaging landfalling hurricanes is controlled by changes in PI.
-
Journal articleKonstantinoudis G, Hauser A, Riou J, 2025,
Ensemble Bayesian modelling with dynamic population to estimate excess deaths due to extreme temperatures
, SPATIAL AND SPATIO-TEMPORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Vol: 55, ISSN: 1877-5845 -
ReportMccall M, 2025,
Climate change impacts on mental health in the UK: Current evidence and opportunities for intervention
-
Journal articleKonstantinoudis G, Atilola G, Jephcote C, et al., 2025,
Long-term exposure to aircraft noise and cardiovascular disease hospitalization and mortality near major airports in the UK, 2006–2015 – a small area study
, Environment International, ISSN: 0160-4120The environmental disease burden from transport noise in Europe is considered second only to air pollution, but the majority of epidemiological studies relate to road noise. We examined associations between annual average day-evening-night (Lden) and night-time (Lnight) aircraft noise in 2006 and 2011 and cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalization and mortality. We used a small area design covering a population of 3.1 million living near London Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester international airports in 2006–2015. Statistical analysis used Bayesian Poisson regression in linear and categorical analyses. We observed strong evidence of associations between aircraft noise and hospital admissions; for coronary heart disease admissions near London Heathrow, we found an increased risk of 0.44 % (95 % CrI 0.16 %, 0.73 %) and for all-CVD admissions near other airports an increased risk of 0.34 % (95 % CrI 0.04 %, 0.64 %) per 5 dB Lden for noise levels above 50 dB Lden (the cut-off level for available data). However, results were not fully consistent across airports and no associations were seen with stroke hospitalisation and mortality, nor with CVD or CHD mortality. Associations were smaller and less clear than our previous Heathrow study of similar design during 2001–5. Differences over time are likely to relate to changes in population, therefore population confounder structure, over time, as well as reductions in population aircraft noise exposure. Given the increasing evidence base showing associations between noise and cardiovascular disease, we recommend use of large cohorts with better control of confounding at individual-level to provide quantification of exposure–response relationships.
-
ReportArrighi J, Dahl K, Giguere J, et al., 2025,
Ten years of the Paris agreement: the present and future of extreme heat
-
ReportJennings N, Sudall E, Brandmayr C, et al., 2025,
Delivering for climate and health: insights from UK decision-makers
, Publisher: Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College LondonAction to tackle climate change can provide a range of benefits to public health including through reducing exposure to air pollution, improving the quality of homes or promoting physical activity.These co-benefits are not only popular with the public, but ensuring climate action delivers for public health would also help reduce costs to the NHS and the UK economy, and help government funding go further by multi-problem solving.Through interviews with UK decision-makers from local to national government, this report investigates how the health benefits of climate action are currently considered in the decision-making process to highlight examples of good practice and areas for improvement.
-
Journal articleShi Y, Sun J, Wang R, et al., 2025,
Collaborative Design of Light-Absorbing Shell Wrapping and Inner Thermal Conductivity Enhancing for Ca-Based Thermochemical Heat Storage Pellets
, ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, ISSN: 1616-301X
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.
View publications by:
Topic
Climate Science
Earth and Life Sciences
Energy and Low-Carbon Futures
Resources and Pollution
Economics and Finance
Health
View all publications and browse by year
Publication type
Briefing papers and Briefing notes
Grantham Institute Outlooks
Evidence & submission papers
Infographics
Institute reports and analytics notes
Grantham notes
Collaborative publications
Discussion papers
Institute event overviews
Working papers