Engineering stories whose deep dive explains electrochemistry, cells and batteries, ready to use as a starter, a reading task or a real-world example. Each one links to the GCSE and A level curriculum.
Energy & EnvironmentInnovation
UK startup Rivan uses DAC and solar power for synthetic methane production, feeding carbon-neutral gas directly into the grid from its Wiltshire plant.
Deep dive: Thin Air to the Gas Grid
Aerospace, Defence & Marine
Infinium's electro sustainable aviation fuel, made from captured CO₂ and renewable electricity, powers its first US commercial passenger flight with no aircraft modifications.
Deep dive: The chemistry of making jet fuel from CO₂
Energy & EnvironmentInnovation
A new fuel cell catalyst from Washington University could let hydrogen fuel cells power data centres reliably for over 25,000 hours.
Deep dive: Inside a Hydrogen Fuel Cell's Catalyst Layer
Energy & Environment
A new stainless steel green hydrogen alloy, SS-H2, resists corrosion up to 1700mV using a counter-intuitive manganese passivation layer.
Deep dive: Passivation, Transpassivity and Why Voltage Matters
Automotive & TransportInnovation
The JCB Hydromax hydrogen speed record now stands at 406.320mph after twin runs at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats, doubling the old combustion mark.
Deep dive: Burning Hydrogen Instead of Converting It
Aerospace, Defence & Marine
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines are building the first hydrogen fuel cell aircraft engine for commercial aviation. Here's how the technology works.
Deep dive: how a hydrogen fuel cell aircraft engine actually works
Energy & EnvironmentBreakthroughs
A flowing zinc slurry battery ran for 5,128 hours with 99.94% efficiency in lab tests, offering a new approach to long-duration renewable energy storage.
Deep dive: The chemistry behind zinc slurry battery energy storage
Electronics & CommunicationsBreakthroughs
Max Planck researchers solve the solid state battery dendrite problem, revealing lithium cracks ceramics through pressure, not electron leakage.
Energy & EnvironmentBreakthroughs
Tohoku University's graphene-COF interlayer keeps a lithium sulfur battery stable for 1,000 cycles at 674 Wh/kg, solving the polysulfide shuttle problem.
Deep dive: Trapping polysulfides
Chemicals
Osaka researchers built an artificial photosynthesis solar fuel system that runs without batteries, turning sunlight, water and CO2 into formic acid.
Deep dive: Electrolysers, Impedance, and the Physics of Self-Regulation
Construction & Infrastructure
Engineers completed a world-first £23M Severn Tunnel overhead line upgrade, replacing 9,000 metres of wiring in one of Britain's most corrosive rail environments.
Deep dive: Overhead Line Equipment and the Challenge of Undersea Electrification
Automotive & TransportBreakthroughs
A fast charging EV battery from Adelaide and Imperial College reaches 85% charge in six minutes with 240 Wh/kg energy density and 76% retention…
Deep dive: Surface Chemistry, SEI Layers, and the Art of Fast Ion Transport