A team of scientists has developed a nature-inspired design for artificial photosynthesis, capable of generating large sources of renewable energy using CO2. The system consists of nanoscale tubes that mimic the structure of living photosynthetic cells, allowing for efficient conversion of sunlight into fuel.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science develop a new method to produce hydrogen fuel efficiently using a catalyst derived from rust. The process, powered by light, can increase hydrogen production up to 25 times compared to existing methods.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University found a way to extend nuclear fuel lifetime by 75% using a thorium-based cycle, significantly increasing safety and reducing costs in remote areas. This breakthrough could provide a stable energy supply solution for hard-to-reach regions.
Researchers develop enhanced device to transform CO2 into valuable chemicals by harnessing electricity. The new design enables gas reactants to reach the catalyst surface fast enough to significantly increase the rate of reaction.
A team of researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a novel polymeric material that enhances oxygen permeability in fuel cells, generating more power while reducing the need for expensive materials like platinum. This breakthrough could drive greater adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in transportation and beyond.
Researchers have discovered a way to modify molecules to remove toxic radioactive elements from spent nuclear fuel, making the process safer and more efficient. This breakthrough could lead to improved design of new molecules for spent fuel reprocessing, enabling better management of long-term radioactive waste.
Scientists have created an alloy that generates hydrogen on demand, enabling the use of portable fuel cells. The innovative method uses a gallium-indium-tin-bismuth alloy to produce hydrogen when combined with water and aluminum.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new product that converts biomass-derived acetone into a cyclobutane, a high-energy-density fuel additive. This process reduces the need for hydrogen treatment and generates carbon dioxide, offering environmental benefits and improving US energy security.
Researchers at NREL have discovered a novel oxygenate molecule that can be produced from biomass, showing promise as a blend for diesel fuel. Initial results suggest improved ignition quality, reduced sooting, and fuel economy gains.
Researchers at Wake Forest University have developed a new process to convert carbon dioxide into usable chemicals or fuels using silver diphosphide as a novel catalyst. The process reduces energy loss by a factor of three compared to current state-of-the-art methods.
Researchers demonstrate high-contrast imaging of water states for fuel cell applications and indicate how their new method can be applied to other hydrogen-relevant industrial processes. The team's cross-continental collaborations were critical to confirm experimental findings and optimize contrast-to-noise ratio in acquired images.
The Midwest Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition aims to promote the adoption of hydrogen and fuel cells in the region. The coalition will facilitate technology demonstrations and encourage collaboration among researchers and developers to accelerate the adoption of these clean energy technologies.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed platinum-graphene fuel cell catalysts with unprecedented catalytic activity and longevity. The new catalysts outperformed nanoparticle platinum in dissociation energy, suggesting potentially longer-lasting catalytic systems.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a method to create highly active catalysts from precious metal nanoparticles, improving fuel cells' efficiency. The new catalysts can also be recycled from spent catalysts, reducing waste and increasing their lifespan.
The University of Toledo will focus on water-splitting to produce hydrogen, a clean fuel for powering cars and rockets. The project aims to develop low-cost photoelectrodes for efficient hydrogen generation.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have made significant progress in developing a cost-effective fuel cell technology utilizing ammonia, a nitrogen-based liquid fuel. Ammonia has been identified as the lowest-cost fuel produced from renewable energy, with potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve efficiency.
Researchers have developed a biochemical approach to control the conversion of natural gas into liquid fuel, overcoming challenges in selective hydroxylation of methane and propane. This method uses an artificial P450 system driven by hydrogen peroxide, showing comparable or better catalytic properties than known enzymes.
Researchers at James Cook University have successfully 3D printed fuel grains for hybrid rockets, testing six compounds including Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), to optimize performance and safety.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed computer simulations using realistic atomic-scale models to understand reaction pathways in solid-oxide fuel cells. The study found that reactions are more likely to occur in layers with smaller pore sizes, but also identified a new degradation pathway that could impact performance.
Researchers at TUM have developed platinum nanoparticles that double the performance of current fuel cells. The particles are about one nanometer big and contain approximately 40 platinum atoms, resulting in high mass activity. This breakthrough could lead to widespread adoption of fuel cells in electric cars.
Researchers have developed a method to produce diesel fuel and hydrogen by harnessing light energy and biomass-derived feedstocks. The process uses light energy to drive the valorization of downstream biomass products, resulting in high-light transformation efficiencies and higher rates of hydrogen production.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the University of Arkansas developed a highly efficient catalyst for extracting electrical energy from ethanol. The catalyst steers ethanol down an ideal chemical pathway, releasing its full potential of stored energy, enabling applications such as liquid fuel-cell-powered drones.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed MiniFuel to test nuclear fuels, detecting performance data faster than conventional methods. The lab also created an auto-surveillance tool to detect healthcare data errors in the Department of Veterans Affairs' system.
Researchers have discovered a method to convert plastic waste into jet fuel using activated carbon as a catalyst. The process produces high-quality fuel with minimal environmental impact, offering a promising solution to the global plastic crisis.
A team of UD engineers has developed a fuel cell system that can efficiently remove carbon dioxide from an air stream, making it possible to use fuel cells in transportation applications. The system uses an electrochemical pump to capture CO2, allowing for the production of a CO2-free air stream suitable for fuel cells.
A new material made from manganese hydride has been discovered, enabling the design of smaller, cheaper, and more efficient fuel tanks for hydrogen-powered vehicles. This breakthrough could lead to longer driving ranges and reduced production costs.
Advancements in zero-emission fuel cells could make them economically practical for vehicle power, with improved durability and cost-effectiveness. The new technology has the potential to replace traditional gasoline engines and pave the way for a cleaner transportation system.
The University of Delaware team created poly(aryl piperidinium) polymers for hydroxide exchange membranes, achieving record power density and stability. This breakthrough enables the development of more efficient and cost-effective fuel cells for eco-friendly vehicles.
Engineers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have revealed new insights about the chemical reactions that power fuel cells, shedding light on their degradation issues. The study found that the rate-limiting step in fuel cell efficiency is not oxygen splitting, but rather how oxygen atoms find and enter vacancies at the surface.
Researchers create 'megasupramolecules' that can significantly reduce misting of fuel during high-speed impacts, reducing the risk of fire or explosion. The additives also enhance lubrication and flow through pipelines and hoses, and reduce soot formation in diesel engines.
Scientists at ORNL used computational methods to evaluate 4,600 potential crystal structures of uranium oxide compositions, identifying a potentially stable crystalline phase for U2O7. Their findings could lead to a better understanding of how crystalline and amorphous uranium materials form in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Researchers at KAUST's Clean Combustion Research Center investigate pre-ignition, a major bottleneck to engine downsizing. By analyzing engine parameters, they identify conditions that trigger pre-ignition, including high exhaust back-pressure and oil-fuel droplet interactions.
A recent study suggests that rapidly phasing out air pollution emissions can prevent approximately 3.6 million avoidable deaths each year, while also increasing rainfall in drought-prone regions and limiting global warming. The researchers found that removing fossil fuel-related and all anthropogenic emissions could achieve the 2°C tar...
A recent study at the University of Illinois examined the energy lifecycle of fuel/battery configurations to yield greatest reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The most feasible configuration was a propulsion system with 50% electrical-power drivetrain, estimated to produce 49.6% less lifecycle CO2 emissions.
Scientists in China have developed a process to convert plant waste into high-density aviation fuel, reducing CO2 emissions from airplanes. The biofuel has higher density than conventional fuels, allowing aircraft to fly farther and carry more.
Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute demonstrate that sustainable plant-based bio-jet fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be economically viable. The study found that optimizing the production process can lower the cost of biofuels to $2.50 per gallon, making them a viable alternative to conventional jet fuels.
A new sensor system is being developed to monitor the quality of hydrogen at hydrogen fuelling stations, ensuring safe and reliable operation of fuel cell vehicles. The system uses an infrared measuring cell that can detect contaminants in hydrogen, which can damage fuel cells and reduce power output.
Researchers at UTSA are working on new accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) that will limit overheating and reduce the risk of radioactive leaks. The goal is to replace conventional fuel with a more durable material, enabling nuclear plants to better withstand accidents.
A team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a high-power fuel cell that operates at double the voltage of commercial fuel cells, powering unmanned underwater vehicles, drones, and eventually electric aircraft at significantly lower cost.
A new method of increasing reactivity in ultrathin nanosheets can make fuel cells for hydrogen cars cheaper, promising faster and more efficient production. By tuning the materials' thinness, researchers can create more strain, changing material properties and accelerating reactions.
A new method borrows from Goldilocks thinking for evaluating metal thickness, finding the ideal electrode thickness. This technique can increase catalyst activity by 10-50 times and use 90% less metal than current fuel cells.
A team of researchers led by Professor Kang Taek Lee developed a new electrode material that uses nickel to improve the oxidation reaction efficiency of hydrogen. The material exhibits high-performance and high-durability due to the controlled exsolution of nano metal catalysts, which helps stabilize the fuel cell's performance.
A new study reveals that marine fishing vessels release almost as much CO2 as 51 coal-fired power plants, with a total of 207-million tonnes emitted in 2016. The researchers found that the industry's reliance on fossil fuel and lack of policy management has led to a significant increase in emissions.
Researchers at USTC create a new structure of atomically dispersed iron hydroxide on platinum nanoparticles to efficiently purify hydrogen fuel over a broad temperature range. This breakthrough enables protection against CO poisoning during frequent cold-starts and continuous operations in extremely cold temperatures.
Scientists propose using high-tech coatings that can retain air for weeks to reduce drag and fuel consumption of ships. This technology has the potential to save up to 20% of fuel and reduce global CO2 emissions by almost one percent.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a protein responsible for transporting nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) into cells, where it can be used to produce energy. This finding has implications for understanding the process of aging and developing therapies to boost cellular energy levels.
Researchers developed a new catalyst composed of platinum and nickel, which is more efficient than pure platinum. The study used ultrabright x-rays to reveal the growth pathway and chemical characterization of the nanoparticles in real time.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed an electrocatalytic mechanism that mimics the mammalian lung's gas exchange process, enabling more efficient conversion of water into hydrogen fuel. The design uses a thin membrane to separate oxygen and hydrogen gases, reducing energy costs and increasing current density rates.
Researchers have developed a novel platinum-cobalt core-shell alloy catalyst that improves the utilization of platinum in fuel cells, enabling the use of smaller amounts of the costly precious metal. The new catalyst also enhances durability compared to previous technologies.
A UMass Lowell team is working on developing renewable fuel additives from sawdust to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The project aims to create a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels in internal combustion engines.
A new study by USC and other universities finds that increasing fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles will bring about significant economic benefits, including $112 billion in estimated savings. The research contradicts the Trump administration's claim that such rules would lead to too many highway deaths.
Researchers at the University of Illinois successfully converted wet biowaste into a diesel-compatible fuel using hydrothermal liquification. The new process meets current standards for diesel fuel and produces similar pollutant emissions to regular diesel.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology found that smart car technologies such as lane-keeping warnings and cruise control can reduce fuel consumption by 27 to 119 gallons per year, saving drivers between $60 and $266 each year.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh developed a cost-effective method to create high-performance energy devices and diagnostic tests using nanoparticles. The electrospinning technique, which produces nanofibres with high surface area, has been successfully tested in fuel cell applications.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have cracked the chemical mechanism to produce hydrogen fuel from water using solar power, enabling a more efficient and environmentally friendly process. This breakthrough could significantly impact efforts to replace carbon-based fuels with hydrogen fuels.
Researchers have discovered a new catalyst made from manganese that is comparable in ability to split water as platinum and other metal-based alternatives. The stability of the catalyst makes it potentially suitable for hydrogen fuel cells, which could lead to wide-scale adoption of the technology.
A new fuel cell developed by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers can run on cheap methane fuel at lower temperatures, making it more affordable and practical. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of decentralized, cleaner, and cheaper electrical power grids, potentially powering homes and businesses.
Researchers have discovered that Nafion membranes partially unwind their fibers as they interact with water, leading to the growth of polymer fibers extending from the surface. This phenomenon is most pronounced in water with a high deuterium content, offering new avenues for optimizing fuel cell performance and electrical properties.
Researchers from Brown University have developed a new alloy catalyst that reduces platinum use and maintains its activity after 30,000 voltage cycles. The catalyst's layered structure enhances reactivity while protecting cobalt atoms from degradation, outperforming traditional platinum alloy catalysts in fuel cell testing.
Researchers propose that applying CAFE-style standards to fertilizer production could yield $5-8 billion in economic benefits for the US corn sector. The approach aims to incentivize technology development and reduce nitrogen pollution, with potential environmental and human health gains.