Latest research

A search for ancient deposits of sandy material expected at continental margins has come up empty. This prominent geological gap hints at poorly understood, powerful, global-scale erosion processes, illustrating profound changes caused by climate upheaval.

Kabir Peay wants to leverage the relationship between plants and the beneficial fungi that colonize their roots to help ecosystems weather climate change.

Debbie Senesky, associate professor and senior fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy, shares her take on what nanotech can do, on Earth and in space.

New research shows E.V. tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act have decreased climate pollution and boosted American car manufacturers – at relatively high cost to taxpayers. The policy could have been more beneficial if it provided larger tax credits to cleaner, more efficient vehicles.

U.S. tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, indirectly cause thousands of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm. Understanding why could help minimize future deaths from hazards fueled by climate change.

As power grids rely more on renewable energy sources like wind and solar, balancing energy supply and demand becomes more challenging. A new analysis shows how water systems, such as desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities, could help enhance grid stability and create new revenue streams.

The shapes and textures of quartz grains speak to the processes that molded and transported them. A new tool from Stanford researchers enables quick, accurate, insightful analysis of this sand, which can be used in geology, geoarchaeology, forensics, and more.

The culprit behind the degradation of lithium-ion batteries over time is not lithium, but hydrogen atoms emerging from the electrolyte, a new study finds. This discovery could improve the performance and life expectancy of a range of rechargeable batteries.

Methane concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere increased at record speed over the past five years. At least two-thirds of annual methane emissions now come from human activities, including fossil fuel use, agriculture, and landfills and other waste.

Soaring human demand for krill in the Southern Ocean poses a challenge to the recovery of whale species once hunted nearly to extinction. Stanford researchers identify the growing food conflict and offer solutions.

Soil-packed floors common in rural, low-income households in developing countries are breeding grounds for intestinal diseases. Stanford epidemiologists and engineers are developing a lower-emission concrete flooring that could improve families’ well-being with less environmental impact.

"I remember daycare trips to coastal parks, and for most of my childhood I fell asleep at night to a sound machine playing the sound of breaking waves. My parents are geologists who really enjoy nature, so we spent a lot of time outdoors. Most families have family portraits hanging on the walls, but we had vials of sand samples clustered along ours."

Stanford, SLAC, and 13 other research institutions, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, seek to overcome the major limitations of a battery using water as the primary component of its electrolyte.

Charging lithium-ion batteries at high currents just before they leave the factory is 30 times faster and increases battery lifespans by 50%, according to a study at the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center.

During the Stanford Sustainability Summit, business owners, government officials, and community leaders from around the world convened to share ideas and express enthusiasm to address sustainability challenges.

Researchers have developed a sprayable gel that creates a shield to protect buildings from wildfire damage. It lasts longer and is more effective than existing commercial options.