Learning curve
The fact remains that in the last two years alone, UK employers have lost £2bn in apprentice-ship levy funds that they have been unable to spend. Read the comment by Adrian Grove, business development director, Qube Learning.
Green light for gene editing
The UK government has delighted crop scientists by announcing plans to ease restrictions on gene editing. The focus will be on genetic changes that could occur naturally through traditional breeding – to deliver more resilient, more nutritious and more productive crops, for example. GMO regulations will continue to apply when gene editing introduces DNA from other species.
Entrepreneurial advice
Parallel to a long list of skills entrepreneurs must excel at, lies a list of pitfalls they must watch out for. First on my list is, listen to others - but not too much. Read the comment from Natasha Boulding, CEO and founder, Sphera.
Biomedical
Biomedical highlights from C&I Magazine Issue 10 2021 written by Kevin Burgess, Texas A&M University, US
Organic chemistry
Read the organic chemistry highlights in C&I Magazine Issue 10 2021 written by G. Richard Stephenson - University of East Anglia, UK
Accelerating electrification
The IEA released a report detailing the steps to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It sets out 400 milestones, …such as ceasing new construction of coal and oil power plants, phasing out unabated ones by 2040 and calling an end to investment in fossil fuels.
Current science
Neil Eisberg reports on recent developments designed to improve the safety and performance of batteries
Charging ahead
For the coming generation of electric vehicles, the UK will need to significantly ramp up domestic battery manufacture. Lou Reade reports
Self-healing hydrophobic coating
US researchers have designed an ultra-thin coating that is hydrophobic and self-heals when scratched or dented. The nano-scale thick coating was developed with steam power plants in mind, where durable yet thin coatings would deliver energy gains.
Best microbial fuel cell
Bacteria are already being harnessed in fuel cells to generate electricity from waste organic matter. Scientists in California now report on a microbial fuel cell (MFC) they say is world beating in power density, by taking advantage of the heavy-metal resistance of Shewanella oneidensis (Science, 2021, 373, 1336).