Medieval sustainability
Annette Kehnel, a historian specialising in Medieval finance, describes various areas where Medieval Europe had sustainable economic solutions, many of which were later replaced with something allegedly more efficient, but actually less sustainable.
Wanted minerals
The focus of this book is the mineral supply chain that undergirds most of modern technology, including mobile phones, computers, televisions, solar panels, wind turbines and pollution-free vehicles. A comprehensive account is given of the challenges and restraints arising when locating and excavating the requisite minerals and the subsequent extraction of their metal content.
The hunt for an objective test for concussion
Could an ‘objective test’ for concussion, such as a sophisticated chemical test or brain scan, help to identify the problem earlier and improve outcomes for those affected? Lou Reade reports
Photonic chips could fuel computing boost
Two studies have shown that photonic computer chips, which use photons rather than electrons, perform better than conventional electronic chips and consume less energy. Such chips could help the growing computing demands driven by advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
SCI Journal Highlight: Optimising microalgae-based wastewater treatment
Researchers have used response surface methodology (RSM) and machine learning to help find the optimal conditions for a municipal wastewater treatment system using mixotrophic microalgae.
Academic journal highlights: Advanced materials
Read the latest Advanced Materials highlights in C&I Magazine Issue 5 2025 written by Arno Kraft, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
Move over graphene? The rise of transition metal dichalcogenides
The name transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) may not exactly trip off the tongue, but this family of 2D materials could even eclipse graphene in terms of the potential applications. Jon Evans reports
Making early Alzheimer’s disease trials feasible
Early intervention in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, offers the potential to slow or prevent disease progression, and increase success rates for clinical development.
Rare earth supply crunch creates concern
China has hit back at US tariffs by stiffening rules around the export of some rare earth metals; materials crucial for many civilian and military technologies. China has a near monopoly in the production of many of the 17 materials that are grouped together as the heavy and light rare earths.
Chemist wins Blavatnik award for young scientists
Professor Liam Ball from the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, UK, was recently named as one of the 2025 winners of the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists.