Geothermal power is a rapidly developing form of renewable energy, where heat is harvested directly from the Earth’s crust. One potentially abundant source of this energy is water in disused coal mines, which absorbs heat from the surrounding rock. There are thousands of these mines throughout Britain. With the right approach, Durham Energy Institute estimates that there is enough energy within them to meet the heating demands of every building lying over the coalfields. If achieved, this goal would not only be a significant step towards decarbonising the British economy; it could also provide immense benefits to disadvantaged former mining communities in the region.

This video provides information to help you navigate emergency department visits to ensure your loved one receives effective care. The focus will be on how to manage seizure emergencies – either seizures arising for the first time or those caused by epilepsy.

Reinforced concrete is a cheap and versatile material that combines the high compressive strength of concrete with the ability to resist stress provided by embedded steel bars. While reinforced concrete can be highly durable, exposure to harsh environments can reduce its lifetime. One of the main threats is the corrosion of the steel bars, which causes solid oxides to build up. As these oxides build up, they put pressure on the concrete, causing cracks to form and grow. Over time, pieces of the outer concrete layer can flake off or separate. As the steel corrodes, it no longer sticks well to the surrounding concrete, and the metal bars become thinner. If left untreated, this can weaken the structure.

Space agencies around the world are more motivated than ever to return to the Moon. Their renewed interest is driven by scientific interest and a potential treasure trove of natural resources. Many researchers are considering how water resources on the Moon’s surface could support life-sustaining systems, or be a source of hydrogen and oxygen propellant for future missions. In recent years, scientists have accumulated a tantalising body of evidence for abundant water ice on the Moon: with data suggesting that certain regions could harbour far more than previously thought. However, questions remain over how much is really present, what form it takes, and where it originated.

Currently, most orbital spacecraft generate thrust by ejecting propellant. The need for propellant has hampered efforts to remove debris from Earth’s orbit – a problem which has resulted in an orbit increasingly cluttered by defunct satellites and the remnants of old space missions. To prevent active satellites from colliding with debris, researchers are developing a new generation of spacecraft – Hyper Transfer Vehicles (or HTVs) – designed to remove orbital debris. These HTVs need to be agile enough to grab debris, drag it down to the Earth’s atmosphere to safely burn up, then return to the higher orbit to repeat the operation.

Aluminum is an extremely energy-rich metal, making it an excellent candidate for fuels, propellants, and other high-power applications. However, its full potential is often locked away beneath a stubborn protective shell, which prevents it from burning efficiently. Dr. Michelle Pantoya and her research team at Texas Tech University have found a way to transform aluminum’s surface chemistry to make it burn faster and more effectively. Their breakthrough could lead to more powerful rocket fuels, explosives, and energy systems.

Current wood processing techniques rely on subtractive manufacturing, where material is carved away from a block of wood to reach the desired shape. However, this approach is inherently wasteful: producing thousands of tons of wood residue each year in Germany alone. The most promising solution to this problem is additive manufacturing, or 3D printing: where materials are deposited layer-by-layer. With this approach, much of the material involved in the manufacturing process appears in the final product, resulting in far greater material efficiency compared to subtractive manufacturing.