sustainable energy solutions

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a revolutionary composite coating that enhances solar water-splitting efficiency, increasing green hydrogen production by more than 50%. This innovative solution addresses critical challenges such as catalyst longevity and the problem of gas bubbles sticking, offering a brighter path toward sustainable energy and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

A groundbreaking $1.1 billion initiative at Stanford, the Doerr School of Sustainability, is revolutionising environmental problem-solving. By dismantling academic silos and fostering collaboration, it connects basic science with real-world applications. This innovative approach translates research into tangible actions, like coastal monitoring systems, demonstrating how substantial philanthropy can create public platforms for global environmental protection.

Blossom Kochhar, a pioneer of aromatherapy in India, is a jury member for the Times Internet Ecopreneur Awards 2026. Her decades-long advocacy for nature-led beauty and wellness aligns with the awards' focus on environmentally conscious businesses. Kochhar's journey from passion to purpose highlights the evolution of sustainability in India's entrepreneurial landscape.

B’luru residents are adopting steel plate banks, solar power, and home composting in a bid to create more sustainable living spaces

Researchers are exploring the use of radioactive waste to create ultra-long-life micro-nuclear batteries for specialized devices. These batteries, unlike consumer electronics power sources, harness energy from radioactive decay to provide a weak electric current for decades. While still in early stages with engineering challenges, the concept offers a potential solution for powering hard-to-reach or dangerous applications.

Tech titans like Jeff Bezos acknowledge space-based data centers as a future reality, but caution against overly optimistic timelines. While rivals tout rapid deployment, Bezos highlights significant economic hurdles: the high cost of AI chips and expensive space launches. Despite this, Amazon's Blue Origin is preparing to enter the orbital cloud market with a massive satellite constellation plan.

India's private real estate sector is pioneering a new era with Pune's upcoming 105-acre township, set to function as a live environmental laboratory. Partnering with TERI, the project will continuously monitor air quality, water, waste, and livability, aiming for a performance-led, sustainable urban living model beyond mere certification.

A young Indian-American teen, Deepika Kurup, revolutionized water purification with her solar-powered invention. While still in school, she developed a sustainable method using titanium and zinc oxides to kill bacteria in contaminated water, earning an EPA award. Her innovation, based on solar photocatalytic disinfection, offers a cost-effective solution for global water crises, proving scientific ingenuity can tackle real-world problems.

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has explained the company's decision not to expand its work-from-home policy, emphasizing the critical role of in-person collaboration for R&D productivity. Instead of WFH, Zoho is investing in electric bus fleets, electric cooking, and solar energy to reduce fuel consumption.