All posts tagged: rainy

Rechargeable solar battery ‘bottles the Sun’ for a rainy day or a cold night

Rechargeable solar battery ‘bottles the Sun’ for a rainy day or a cold night

Published by Jenni Sidey

Solar panels stop working when the sky goes dark. That simple fact has pushed energy researchers into a stubborn problem: how to hang on to the sun’s power once the light is gone. At UC Santa Barbara, scientists say they have built a molecule that does exactly that, not by storing electricity, but by packing solar energy into chemical bonds and holding it there until heat is needed. The work, published in Science, centers on a modified organic compound called pyrimidone, which can absorb sunlight, shift into a high-energy form, and later snap back, releasing heat on demand. The idea belongs to a field known as molecular solar thermal energy storage, or MOST. Instead of routing solar energy into large battery packs or the power grid, MOST systems store that energy directly inside a material. “We typically describe it as a rechargeable solar battery,” said Han Nguyen, a doctoral student in the Han Group and the study’s lead author. “It stores sunlight, and it can be recharged.” Nguyen said the team thinks of the process …

Tell us: how have you been affected by the rainy weather in the UK? | UK weather

Tell us: how have you been affected by the rainy weather in the UK? | UK weather

Published by Jenni Sidey

Persistent rain and flooding is affecting farmers, builders, sports, wildlife – and damaging roads and homes across the UK. Parts of Devon, Cornwall and Worcestershire have seen rainfall daily for the last 40 days, while provisional Met Office statistics show that Northern Ireland experienced its wettest January in 149 years. Wales has reached 39% of its February monthly average rainfall already. We would like to hear from people about the impact of the wet weather conditions. Though we’d like to hear from you, your safety and security are most important. When recording, or sharing your content with us, please put your welfare and the welfare of others first. Extreme weather events can be very unpredictable and carry very real risks. Share your experience You can tell us how you’ve been affected by the rainy conditions in the UK using this form or by messaging us. Your responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide …

Why is the UK so rainy this year and how is the climate crisis making matters worse? | Flooding

Why is the UK so rainy this year and how is the climate crisis making matters worse? | Flooding

Published by Jenni Sidey

In a “miserable and relentlessly wet” start to the year, rain has fallen in parts of the UK every day for weeks without fail. With more than 100 flood warnings active across the country and downpours expected to continue this week, scientists say the forces behind Britain’s constant drizzle are the same ones bringing devastation to Spain and Portugal. How bad is the rain across the UK? Northern Ireland had its wettest January in 149 years according to the UK Met Office, while southern England had its sixth wettest January in records that date back to 1836. The south-west had 56% more rain than the long‑term average. The south-east and central south were 88% wetter. North Wyke in Devon, Cardinham in Cornwall and Astwood Bank in Worcester have recorded rain every day so far this year, the Met Office said on Monday. Jess Neumann, a hydrologist at the University of Reading, said: “It’s been a miserable and relentlessly wet start to the year for many across the UK.” The commuter town near London has had …

Best waterproof jackets for men and women, tested on rainy hikes and coastal walks

Best waterproof jackets for men and women, tested on rainy hikes and coastal walks

Published by Sam Flores

We all need at least one good waterproof jacket, whether for day-to-day wear or for hiking and other active pursuits. They range from lightweight shells to insulated winter jackets, but all feature a waterproof material (often with a membrane such as Gore-Tex). “In practical terms, they’re fully waterproof,” says Ben Darby, an outdoor expert at Trekitt. “They let through water vapour from sweat, but stop rain droplets from getting through the fabric.” Premium makers like Arc’teryx, Montane and The North Face sell waterproofs for upwards of £500. Decent affordable models from the likes of Superdry and Dare2b come in at around £100, while other labels including Tierra, Berghaus and Rab occupy the middle ground. Models from all of these brands and more are reviewed in this guide, which features both the best men’s waterproof jackets and the best women’s waterproof jackets. It is checked and updated regularly. The best waterproof jackets: At a glance JUMP TO MEN’S REVIEWS JUMP TO WOMEN’S REVIEWS How we test waterproof jackets Our reviewers, Pete and Abby, test waterproof jackets …

Trusts’ finances improve, but leaders brace for rainy days

Trusts’ finances improve, but leaders brace for rainy days

Published by skeptic

More from this theme Recent articles Dozens of academy trusts have bolstered their reserves by up to 900 per cent, as leaders tighten their belts ahead of the coming financial storm. But some continue to be saddled with hefty deficits as they count the cost of sudden government funding cancellations, and in one case, a major cyber attack. Schools Week investigates… Deficit to surplus We analysed the latest accounts for 51 trusts ranging in size from one to 62 schools. The chains in the sample run, on average, 16 schools each. Thirty-seven of the trusts registered improved reserves by the end of 2024-25, up from 20 the year before. Trusts improve their reserves by running in-year surpluses. Those with deficits have to dip into reserves to pay for them. Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) went from posting a deficit of £178,000 in 2023-24 to a surplus of £1.4 million by the end of August – a 900 per cent gain. Oliver Burwood, its chief executive, said the MAT – which runs 40 …