Agricultural soil erosion removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits, creating carbon sinks equivalent to 1.5% of annual fossil fuel emissions. The study challenges previous assessments that erosion contributes significantly to global warming.
A team of engineers from Purdue University and Lockheed Martin Corp. developed a new technique to extend the service life of two communications satellites, saving $60 million for broadcasters. The technique equalizes propellant levels in all four fuel tanks, preventing premature shutdown and waste.
Argonne has received $21.5 million in cost-shared DOE grants to develop flexible-fuel engines with ionization sensing technology, aiming for 30% higher efficiency and improved fuel economy. The lab will also explore the use of molybdenum disulfide as a lubricant additive to reduce friction and wear in industrial equipment.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new microbial fuel cell that harnesses the power of cow waste to generate electricity. The small cell can produce about three times the power as its predecessor and is a quarter of its size, making it a promising alternative energy source.
A new method to safely store, dispense and easily 'refuel' hydrogen using small AB pellets is being developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientists. The pellets hold promise in meeting long-term targets for transportation use, occupying less space and weight than systems using pressurized hydrogen gas.
Researchers at Penn State's Energy Institute have developed a process to produce jet fuel, gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil from coal using existing refineries. The process produces various hydrocarbon products, including fuel oil, gasoline, and diesel, which can be integrated into the refinery stream.
A team of Penn State engineers discovered that combining coal with papermaking black liquor waste creates a synthesis gas that can be converted into DME, a clean-burning fuel. This process reduces the carbon footprint of traditional coal-to-liquid processes and offers a more efficient alternative to burning black liquor for heat.
Researchers at LSU are working on improving the efficiency of ethanol fuel production using coal-derived syngas. The project aims to produce clean energy from a domestic resource, making it more easily distributed and convertible into hydrogen-rich gas for use in fuel cells.
A new standard aims to reduce carbon emissions from fuels by 10% by 2020, stimulating improvements in transportation-fuel technologies. The standard covers all gasoline and diesel fuel providers, requiring them to track life-cycle global warming intensity and reduce it over time.
Researchers at the University of Houston are presenting new material innovations that have potential applications in consumer electronics and fuel cell research. These advancements include hybrid nanomaterials for energy conversion devices, a Pd membrane reactor to convert fuels into hydrogen for electricity production in fuel cells.
A team of Penn State researchers successfully created a microbial fuel cell that consumes cellulose and produces electricity by pairing two types of bacteria. The fuel cell achieves a maximum power density of 150 milliwatts per square meter, which is lower than current designs but shows promise for future improvements.
The new engine technology can improve fuel economy by several miles per gallon, cutting oil demand in the US by a million barrels a day. The mode-switching capability could appear in production models within a few years.
A comprehensive review of biofuel literature reveals corn ethanol is the least sustainable feedstock, offsetting only 15% of gasoline demand. Cellulosic ethanol offers a 87% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more viable alternative for combating global warming.
A research partnership between RIT and Monroe County assesses the performance of E85 flex-fuel vehicles, analyzing their environmental and economic benefits. The study aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and costs to taxpayers while promoting alternative energy implementation in public vehicle fleets.
Researchers have developed a new type of NOx Storage Reduction (NSR) catalytic converter that alternates between lean-burn conditions to reduce emissions and fuel-rich periods for regeneration. This technology has yielded important insights into the function of various components in the catalytic converter.
Researchers at Cardiff University are developing cost-effective methods to recycle platinum and other precious metals from road dust and vehicle exhausts. This innovative approach aims to produce clean fuel cells, minimizing waste and creating reliable, greener energy.
Researchers at UW-Madison create a two-stage process to turn biomass-derived sugar into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), a liquid fuel with improved energy density and reduced environmental impact. The new fuel address limitations of current renewable liquids like ethanol.
Scientists at PNNL will receive $1.98 million to study enzymes that convert chemicals to energy, potentially leading to new, affordable materials for hydrogen fuel cells. The goal is to replace expensive platinum with abundant, inexpensive metals like iron and molybdenum.
Researchers at Penn State developed a novel approach to extend the life of marine microbial fuel cells by providing bacteria with chitin, found in crustacean shells. The addition increased power production and allowed for longer-term remote operation, making it suitable for ocean sediments.
A RAND Corporation report found mixed results from laboratory tests of Save the World Air's ZEFS device, suggesting its effectiveness in reducing tailpipe pollutants and increasing fuel efficiency is uncertain. Further testing is needed to confirm or refute the technology's performance.
A new £4.2 million research project at Imperial College London aims to develop renewable and cost-effective methods of producing hydrogen for fuel cells. The project will explore both biological and chemical solar-driven processes to achieve this goal.
Chemists at UCSD develop a device that captures sunlight, converts it to electrical energy, and splits carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen. This process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, produce industrial chemicals, and save fuel.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered that copper nanoparticles can replace expensive gold catalysts to improve hydrogen production efficiency. The new material exhibits almost identical reactivity and significantly lower costs.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered a way to use gold to prevent the destruction of platinum in fuel cell reactions, enhancing the metal's value. The new method, which involves adding gold clusters to platinum electrocatalysts, keeps the precious metal stable during accelerated stability tests.
The team is developing materials with similar properties to palladium, but cheaper and more readily available, to improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells. The goal is to find a substitute for platinum, which is currently used as a catalyst in PEMs containing platinum.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new microbial fuel cell system that uses brush anodes and tubular cathodes to produce more power from wastewater. The system, which uses naturally occurring bacteria, can clean water while generating electricity, reducing the need for energy consumption.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a software patch to increase fuel efficiency in cars, reducing energy waste and emissions. The patch enables the car to achieve optimal engine performance more frequently, resulting in savings of up to 2.6% on fuel consumption.
Researchers at ASU are working on a new fuel cell technology designed for large-scale power generation, which can efficiently generate electrical power while minimizing heat management needs. The team aims to develop a membrane that operates at high temperatures, reducing size, weight, and costs.
The new Georgia Tech satellite engine uses solar power and fine-tuned exhaust velocity to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 percent. This allows for more payload in orbit and potentially lower launch costs.
A University of Georgia professor has received a $650,000 grant to develop a mathematical model assessing harmful chemicals in the body from jet fuel exposure. The research aims to minimize health risks for military personnel and civilians working with jet fuel, where recent studies have linked vapors to immune system effects.
Researchers have identified a new variation of a platinum-nickel alloy that significantly increases oxygen-reduction catalysis on the cathode in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This breakthrough could eliminate existing limitations and make PEM fuel cell technology more viable for transportation applications.
Researchers at UC Irvine have developed a novel method to measure carbon dioxide levels from fossil fuels by analyzing corn samples collected from nearly 70 locations nationwide. The study found that California and the Ohio Valley had the most fossil-fuel-emitted carbon dioxide, while the Colorado region had the least.
A new class of aluminum-hydrogen compounds has been synthesized with potential applications in solid rocket fuel and the hydrogen economy. The compounds' relative stability may enable more efficient propulsion systems and cleaner energy production.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new fuel cell design that allows for precise control over power output and reduces complexity. The system uses a novel approach to regulate hydrogen flow, enabling efficient water management and higher power production.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory stabilized platinum electrocatalysts using gold clusters, maintaining stability in accelerated tests. This breakthrough raises promising possibilities for synthesizing improved platinum-based catalysts.
A growing energy supply will be needed to meet future demands; thorium offers fewer environmental and human health hazards in its fuel production. DBI has developed innovative concepts to exploit thorium's benefits, including reduced waste and toxicity.
Scientists at University of Illinois designed and built ceramic microreactors to reform hydrocarbons into hydrogen for fuel cells. The new reactors achieved high-temperature operation, surpassing other fuel reformer systems in performance.
Researchers at Arizona State University have created a tiny hydrogen-gas generator that can power electronic devices up to three times longer than conventional batteries. The generator uses borohydride solution and is recharged by refilling a fuel cartridge, making it safer for the environment.
Brookhaven National Laboratory researchers are exploring the use of ionic liquids for nuclear fuel reprocessing to mitigate the risk of unintended chain reactions. By incorporating boron-containing ions, these liquid salts can hold up to a hundred times more dissolved plutonium before reaching critical thresholds.
Researchers have developed a new proton exchange membrane (PEM) material that retains conductivity even at low humidity, overcoming a significant challenge for fuel cells. This breakthrough, achieved through self-assembling block copolymer materials, has the potential to increase the efficiency and feasibility of hydrogen-based energy ...
Researchers are developing a new combinatorial toolkit to evaluate hundreds of potential PEM fuel cell materials in a single experiment. The goal is to double membrane durability and cut costs in half. This project involves creating low-cost, thermally stable membranes using a 'formulation approach' that combines different polymers.
A team of researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology successfully tested a hydrogen-powered unmanned aircraft with a 22-foot wingspan, generating only 500 watts of power. The fuel-cell system makes the aircraft more compelling than just a lab demonstration or even a fuel cell system powering a house.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on a project to purify fuel ethanol into beverage alcohol, reducing production costs. Two technologies – ozone gas treatment and granular activated carbon filtering – will be used to remove impurities from the fuel.
Researchers can now observe water production and removal in fuel cells under various conditions, enabling better management of water quantities. The facility enhances the understanding of fuel cell performance, reliability, and durability.
Researchers at Montana State University are investigating the potential of producing biofuels from various straws, hays, and silages in Montana. They aim to find more efficient methods for converting biomass into sugars and fermenting them into fuel, with the goal of making these new ethanol production methods competitive.
The UK fuel cell industry lags behind others due to underdeveloped supply chains and limited government support. In contrast, Germany has established a robust industry with technological excellence and active government incentives.
A Penn State researcher has developed a process that converts organic matter in corn waste into electricity, with a conversion rate of over 93 percent. This technology could provide a new, sustainable source of energy, reducing reliance on ethanol and other fossil fuels.
The US Department of Energy has released a research roadmap for developing cellulosic ethanol, a renewable and carbon-neutral fuel source. The plan aims to overcome challenges in producing low-cost, high-efficiency cellulosic ethanol from biomass.
A new process makes HMF from fructose, a compound used to make plastics, diesel-fuel additives, and diesel fuel. The method also offers environmental benefits by using carbon dioxide and modern solar energy that crop plants absorb.
The Stagnation Point Reverse Flow Combustor reduces NOx and CO emissions by burning fuel in low-temperature reactions, eliminating high-temperature pockets. The design can be adapted for various applications, including aircraft engines and power-generating gas turbines.
A Northwestern University research team has developed a three-dimensional imaging technique that enables the study of fuel cell microstructure. This will help improve fuel cell performance and lifespan by revealing nanometer-scale features.
NIST researchers have developed a more accurate method for measuring distillation curves, which are crucial for characterizing fuel composition and performance. The new approach eliminates uncertainties and systematic errors, enabling better correlation with thermodynamic theory used in modern fuels and engines.
Scientists at UNC-Rutgers create a more efficient method for producing diesel fuels from coal using a dual-catalyst system. This breakthrough could provide an attractive alternative to oil-based fuels, particularly as oil reserves dwindle, and enable the widespread adoption of cleaner-burning transportation fuels.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a microchannel distillation unit to create a light fraction of JP-8, which is then reacted in a hydrodesulfurization process powered by syngas. The use of syngas allows for significant increases in throughput and decreases in operating pressure compared to conventional technology.
Researchers have developed a coal-based jet fuel, provisionally designated JP900, which produces almost the same Btu as conventional fuels. The fuel has improved flash point, lower viscosity, and higher smoke point, making it suitable for existing engines and interest both commercial and military users.
Researchers from UT Dallas' NanoTech Institute have developed two types of artificial muscles that convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, addressing limitations of traditional battery-powered robots. The breakthroughs could lead to advancements in autonomous humanoid robots, prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons.
Researchers aim to build a self-propelled prototype within five years, optimizing the system's performance through computer modeling and experimental work. Shewanella oneidensis bacteria can transfer electrons directly to anode surfaces, making them a promising candidate for fuel cells.
A study on the 2002 Biscuit Fire in Oregon found that fuel treatments significantly reduced tree damage and mortality. The research team measured the effects of two fuel treatments, including thinning and underburning, and concluded that reducing fine fuels is crucial for minimizing overstory tree damage.
Researchers discovered that ceria behaves as its own catalyst, significantly improving fuel cell efficiency. The study's findings provide new insights into the role of ceria in fuel cells and open up possibilities for more efficient electrochemical reactions.
Kumta's team is developing nanostructured catalyst compositions to improve the efficiency of direct methanol fuel cells. The goal is to create a fuel cell system small enough for portable electronic devices.