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Filtering tag: UCLOE blog
Can green hydrogen transform Chile’s future?
Posted by Rodrigo Barra Novoa on 2026-08-11
When people talk about green hydrogen, the conversation tends to focus on technology. They discuss electrolysers, renewable energy and the billions of dollars that this new market will generate. However, whilst reviewing the latest scientific literature, reports from international organisations and Chile’s own experience, a question arose that ultimately guided this entire research project: what [...]
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Scottish Lime Finishes and their moderating effect in storm conditions
Posted by Tim Meek on 2026-07-20
Our research shows that traditional lime harling and limewash do far more than define the appearance of Scottish architecture—they are essential to keeping wind-driven rain out. Historic buildings have survived for centuries, yet many are increasingly vulnerable to water penetration and decay making many of them unviable in a changing climate. This interdisciplinary study explores why [...]
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Planetary health starts in our cities
Posted by UCL Open Environment Editorial Office on 2026-02-04
The biophysical and human worlds are linked in an interwoven planetary system. This blog draws on a recent editorial published in UCL Open Environment, which explores how human health depends on finite biophysical processes and the role cities play in delivering solutions to the environmental crises they have helped to create. Planetary health brings this interdependence into focus. It asks how [...]
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Tiny Daphnia, Big Impact: How a Mini Assay Is Changing the Way We Test Low Volume Water Samples
Posted by Eberhard Küster on 2025-09-25
In ecotoxicology, the test using Daphnia magna immobilisation is a work‑horse for checking whether a water sample may be harmful to the aquatic environment. In parallel, researchers and regulators are asked to monitor water quality more often and with less effort and expenses. With evaluation of precious, low‑volume samples – think micro‑plastics leachates, nanomaterial suspensions, or field [...]
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Ineffective sorting systems: A major barrier to the circular economy of contaminated plastics
Posted by Nutcha Taneepanichskul, Helen C Hailes and Mark Miodownik on 2025-04-10
Environmental pollution leading to global warming is no longer a distant threat; it is knocking on our door, demanding immediate action. Among the major contributors to this crisis is plastic pollution. While there is increasing encouragement, including through popularisation, education, and policy measures—towards the use of biodegradable and recyclable materials, current waste management [...]
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