Hello and welcome to Issue 22 of The Innovation Platform, a thought-provoking exploration of the latest innovations in renewable energy, astrophysics, quantum technology, AMR, fusion power, sustainability, and much more.
Just like that, we’re halfway through the year and 2025 is already shaping up to be significant in terms of energy and the environment. In the UK, the Great British Energy Act 2025 established a publicly owned energy company to accelerate clean energy development and support net-zero commitments. We are also seeing great progress made in sustainable energy across the globe, with the deployment of solar and wind technologies seeing record growth in many countries. Furthermore, researchers from Oxford, Durham, and Toronto universities discovered vast hydrogen reserves deep within Earth’s crust, potentially offering a sustainable energy source for the next 170,000 years. These are key themes that we will explore in depth throughout this issue, along with other exciting topics in the areas of science, innovation and technology.
This edition starts with a jam-packed Science section, filled with thought-provoking interviews and insightful features on topics including plasma physics, gravitational waves, quantum, and 6G. As the PIP-II enhancement of the Fermilab complex continues with pace, we checked in with PIP-II Project Director Cristian Boffo to learn more about the latest milestones that the team has achieved. Elsewhere in the Physics section, The European Gravitational Observatory discusses the record detection of 200 gravitational wave signals and the value of collaboration in advancing our understanding of the Universe. Also on the subject of gravitational waves, we take a look at how the European Space Agency’s LISA observatory will transform our understanding of gravitational waves. This year is a big one for the world of technology, particularly as the United Nations has named it the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Our Computer Science section explores the evolution of the quantum sector as it strives towards full commercialisation.
This issue features an extensive Healthcare focus, predominantly looking at the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance and infection control. Eva Hrncirova, Spokesperson for Health at the European Commission, details the measures in place to help tackle the growing threat of AMR both in the EU and worldwide. We also look at the work happening at the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research at the University of Leicester and find out how it is using phage therapy to tackle the global crisis of AMR.
Moving on, our Energy section is largely centred on sustainable applications to aid the energy transition. I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Schlossberg, Experimental Physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, who played an instrumental role in achieving fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility back in 2022. It was great to hear more about the magnitude of this achievement and how it has facilitated new science and discoveries since. Also in our Fusion focus, Milena Roveda, Chair of the European Fusion Association, sets out the key actions she believes are needed to make fusion commercialisation a reality for Europe. Additionally, Sunita Satyapal, Director of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy, discusses the potential of hydrogen technologies. We also have not one but two articles from Solar Power Europe, sharing highlights from the Solar Quality Summit Europe 2025 and discussing the EU’s Innovation Fund.
The issue continues with our Environment section, which again heavily features discussions around sustainability and green technologies. Our focus on Earth Observation provides an interesting look at projects to measure and predict earthquakes, from organisations including the National Physical Laboratory and Utrecht University. We also have multiple pieces looking at the topics of biobased products and a circular economy.
As we approach the end of the issue, we have a look at the latest innovations and research updates from Canada, in the context of the Horizon Europe programme. We also have a focus on Battery Materials, looking specifically at critical raw material supply chains across the globe. Highlights in this section include a summary of the Western Canadian Battery Hub from the Battery Metals Association of Canada, as well as an overview of Australia’s potential for critical mineral exploration and development.
As well as this issue, The Innovation Platform will also be bringing you standalone, special focus publications on Animal Health and Space over the next few months. Make sure you look out for these!
Georgie Purcell
Editor
The Innovation Platform
Maddie Hall
Editor
The Innovation Platform
