A pioneering technology capable of converting lignin, one of the world's most abundant organic compounds, into vanillin and biodegradable materials has been unveiled by the University of Alicante (UA), in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV). The study, published in Nature Communications, offers a sustainable method for repurposing plant waste and identifies viable alternatives to the fossil fuels that currently drive the chemical industry.

With the PetroJarl Rosebank having left its dry dock in Norway last Saturday and arrived on location west of Shetland, an important major new peer-reviewed study underlines the importance of the area for extending the life of the UK's oil and gas sector.

Scientists envision batteries will play a central role in improving the security and cost-effectiveness of America's energy systems. But achieving this requires solving numerous technical challenges, such as designing high-performance batteries, battery materials and understanding how batteries degrade. This is no easy task.