Scientists have designed a gold nanoparticle conjugate that can be used as a platform for developing a light-driven, water-splitting nanodevice for generating hydrogen. The PSI-GNP-PSII conjugate mimics photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy, offering a potential solution to the current energy crisis.
A study by Jacek Kapica identifies three indicators to help find the perfect size for renewable wind and solar energy storage facilities while optimizing energy harvesting. Increasing power reliability influences the nominal power of energy generation units at a given size of storage.
Three community-based organizations, Mee Panyar from Myanmar, Solar Freeze from Kenya, and Takataka Plastics from Uganda, have won the first Stanford Global Energy Heroes prizes. They will receive $20,000 and a trip to Stanford for the Global Energy Forum. The organizations are working on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions a...
Scientists from Tokyo Medical and Dental University discovered a key phosphorylation site on the protein Ulk1 that regulates alternative autophagy, a process by which cells recycle dysfunctional contents. The study found that this site is essential for the activation of alternative autophagy under genotoxic stress conditions.
Researchers have discovered that single molecular nanowires outperform bundles in transporting energy with minimal losses. Coherence, which enables delocalized energy movement across multiple molecules, is lost in bundled fibers due to strain, hindering efficient energy transfer.
Researchers found that price increases rarely impact short-term energy consumption, but have a significant effect after about five years. The study developed two scenarios for future development: E-POL and CLI, which focus on increasing electricity use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient technologies.
A new study found that telecommuting may have limited energy savings due to increased travel for recreation and other purposes. Studies with more rigorous methodologies showed less clear-cut results, highlighting the complexity of modern work patterns.
Scientists have discovered that more energy can be stored by charging less frequently, but right up to 100%. The study found that dividing the storage system into compartments increases energy storage. This discovery may revolutionize electric car battery technology and lead to significant increases in capacity.
QUT researchers have designed a new carbon nanostructure made from diamond nanothreads that can store mechanical energy when twisted or stretched. The structure has an energy density 4-5 orders higher than conventional steel springs and up to 3 times compared to Li-ion batteries.
An international team of scientists has proposed a method to design climate-resilient energy systems. The study found that urban areas are expected to hold more than two-thirds of the world's population by 2050, and distributed energy systems will play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
A study by New York University researchers found that mandatory building energy audits led to modest reductions in energy use, but not enough to meet citywide carbon-reduction goals. The results suggest that a more comprehensive data-driven energy policy is needed to encourage significant energy efficiency investments.
Over 2000 renewable energy facilities are built in biodiverse areas, posing a significant threat to plant and animal species globally. The research team urges governments and industries to reconsider locations and prioritize biodiversity conservation.
A new study examines energy inequality across 86 countries, revealing extreme disparities in energy footprints and consumption patterns. The research shows that the top 10% of consumers consume roughly 20 times more energy than the bottom 10%, with significant inequalities in transport, heating, and electricity.
The Collaborative Water-Energy Research Center (CoWERC) aims to reduce energy needed for desalination, improve water recovery and support safe water reuse through research, development and commercialization of new technologies. CoWERC will enable the creation of energy-water systems that could be implemented worldwide.
Researchers from ETH Zürich found that single-family households with behavioral change can achieve total self-sufficiency by 2050. However, multi-family buildings require advancements in photovoltaic technology to reach the same level of energy independence.
Computational simulations show that azotosomes, a proposed alternative to cell membranes, cannot form under Titan's extreme conditions. This challenges the possibility of life on Saturn's largest moon, which has liquid methane and ethane lakes and seas.
A new method predicts how extreme climate events affect energy systems with a focus on renewable energy sources. Future climate events can have a considerable impact, leading to power supply reliability reductions of up to 16%. Collaboration between energy system experts and climate researchers is necessary for optimization.
Researchers found that seasonal pumped hydropower storage has considerable potential for highly competitive energy storage costs, with estimated global energy storage potential of 17.3 PWh. The study also addresses environmental concerns related to traditional hydropower plants, suggesting a more sustainable solution for renewable ener...
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a visible-light photoelectrochemical system using cobalt-enhanced TiO2. The process enables efficient water oxidation, producing hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel. Cobalt domains on the surface enhance light absorption and catalytic sites facilitate water oxidation.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel technology to measure thermal energy conversion efficiency. This innovation can shed light on the processes of energy-converting systems like leaves during photosynthesis, improving the understanding of energy transfer in plants and solar cells.
A new study identifies a strong cancer driver gene linked to alternative splicing changes in aggressive cancers. The researchers developed computational tools and biological model systems to analyze RNA sequences from nearly 900 prostate tissue samples, revealing over 13,000 alternative splicing events.
A new study models the potential of semitransparent organic solar cells to power greenhouses, finding that many can become energy neutral in warm or temperate climates. The technology allows greenhouses to generate energy from unused light while minimizing impact on plant growth.
A study at Flinders University in Australia found that a form of cognitive incentive retraining can help regular consumers of energy drinks reduce their consumption. The training aimed to tackle attentional and approach biases towards energy drinks, helping participants moderate their bias towards choosing healthier options.
Researchers found that protein AKAP8 inhibits breast cancer metastasis by interfering with proteins that promote metastatic behavior. AKAP8 also predicts metastatic breast cancer outcomes in patients and can inhibit progression in animal models.
Scientists from Cornell University and Brookhaven National Laboratory successfully demonstrated the world's first capture and reuse of energy in a multi-turn particle accelerator. The Energy Recovery Linear accelerator (ERL) technology uses two transformational 'green' technologies to recover and re-use previously accelerated particles...
A new AI-powered method predicts building energy consumption by analyzing environmental and operational parameters, offering a significant improvement in energy management. The hybrid deep learning model has the potential to be applied in various smart buildings and cities.
Researchers discovered that Asian black bears exhibit a twin-peak pattern of daily energy balance, peaking in spring and autumn. The study found that the bears obtain most of their energy by eating acorns in autumn.
The Stanford report outlines a roadmap for 143 countries to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050, reducing worldwide energy needs by 57%, creating 28.6 million jobs, and saving 91% on energy, health, and climate costs. The plan requires an initial investment of $73 trillion but pays for itself over time through energy sales.
The MIT-developed model uses anonymized credit card transactions and quarterly reports to predict company earnings, outperforming human analysts on 57% of predictions. The researchers' method tackles the 'small data' problem by combining noisy signals with traditional financial data.
Researchers say nanomaterials hold the key to improving energy storage technology, which is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. The technology can help stabilize energy supply and demand, making it possible to manage intermittent energy generation from solar and wind power.
A nationwide study led by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh researcher Jeremiah Bohr finds that high energy bills can force households to reduce spending on necessities, leading to increased risk of poverty. The study emphasizes the importance of energy assistance and efficiency for low-income households.
Scientists have found a way to harness excess energy from photons that are too energetic for materials to absorb, potentially increasing the efficiency of solar panels. By combining a perovskite with an acceptor material, hot electrons can be readily absorbed, even without slowing down their loss of energy.
Researchers at Lund University have found that 30% of energy in certain light-absorbing iron molecules disappears unexpectedly. To improve efficiency, they aim to close this loophole by exploring methods for extracting all the energy from these molecules.
A new control system has been developed to better control wind energy systems, improving efficiency and reducing costs. By decoupling power generation and feedback, the system enables turbines to respond quicker and with less strain on physical components.
The study uses a unique processing technique to create a polymer film capacitor with record-high energy density, promising a step change in the field of dielectric capacitors. This innovation could enable efficient and low-cost electric energy storage systems for intermittent renewable energy sources.
The Department of Energy announces private-public awards to advance fusion energy technology through the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy program INFUSE. The funded projects will provide companies with access to DOE's national laboratories to overcome critical scientific and technological hurdles in pursuing fusion energy systems.
A new study published in Bioresource Technology Reports examines the impact of biomass preprocessing on conversion efficiency. Researchers found that comminution and particle size play a significant role in determining energy expenditure, with miscanthus showing improved efficiency under certain conditions.
A research team investigated the possibility of negative energy in quantum physics, finding that while energy can be less than zero under certain conditions, it must be paid back. The study placed tight bounds on negative energy and connected it to quintessential properties of quantum mechanics.
The new Energy-Water Desalination Hub will focus on early-stage research and development for energy-efficient and low-cost desalination solutions. NAWI aims to recycle 90% of nontraditional water sources, promoting a circular water economy. The hub will advance novel technologies and prioritize high-impact projects.
Researchers at UTSA will develop a solar tracking system to optimize solar energy collection and regulate energy flow between indoor and outdoor environments. They will also work on a prototype of a clean energy technology for steam turbines using supercritical carbon dioxide, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce water usage.
A study reveals that alternative splicing controls the identity and function of nerve cells, allowing for a complex neuronal network with limited genes. The research team mapped splice variants in different types of neurons, identifying unique repertoires that shape their characteristics.
A new study published in Joule finds that taxing carbon emissions would lead to improved energy efficiency, with potential reductions of up to 30% in energy usage by 2100. This innovation could motivate people to develop more efficient ways to use energy, making it easier to solve the climate problem.
A new academic discipline, 'macro-energy systems,' aims to address large-scale energy system transitions. Researchers propose formalizing this field to improve research methods and collaboration.
The Next Gen Energy X program offers paid internships to students from UH and Texas Southern University, preparing them for energy sector careers and entrepreneurial management. The program has shown promising results, with 50% of students finding jobs or internships in the energy sector or STEM fields.
MIT researchers quantify cost targets for energy storage to enable solar and wind power with storage to reach competitiveness with other on-demand energy sources. The study finds that energy storage costs need to fall below $20/kWh to achieve cost-competitive baseload power over a twenty-year period.
Researchers have confirmed that ions can be heated by plasma oscillations driven by high-energy particles using a new hybrid-simulation program. This breakthrough accelerates studies of plasma self-heating for realizing fusion energy.
The Stanford group's battery captures blue energy by releasing sodium and chloride ions, then reincorporating them through rapid wastewater and seawater exchanges. The technology has shown 97% effectiveness in capturing salinity gradient energy over 180 cycles.
A mathematical model confirms that renewable energy accelerates economic growth in Myanmar, while non-renewable energy has a minimal impact. The study suggests increasing green energy use can lead to economic growth of up to 0.3 units per unit increase.
A new PSU study found that shifting to renewable energy can increase energy poverty, particularly in nations with increasing inequality. Renewable energy consumption reduces carbon emissions more effectively in contexts of increased inequality, whereas it has a lesser impact when inequality is decreasing.
A new study finds that fossil fuels' ratios of extracted energy to produced energy are lower than previously thought, especially at the finished fuel stage. The study warns that declining EROI may lead to a 'net energy cliff', where available energy declines rapidly.
A recent study by the University of California, Davis, reveals 20 overlooked advantages of distributed solar energy, such as carbon sequestration and improvements for pollinator habitats. The study provides a framework for analyzing solar projects and highlights the potential of rooftop solar to benefit both humans and wildlife.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an historically accurate solar energy model with global, regional and local level performance data made available via open license. The model will help in optimizing future sustainable energy systems by analyzing photovoltaic installations.
A survey of psoriasis patients found that they often turn to complementary and alternative therapies, such as vitamins D and B12, when traditional medications fail. Despite limited evidence supporting these treatments, patients report therapeutic benefits from Dead Sea treatments.
A new paper suggests that variation in brain energy expenditure during childhood may influence patterns of energy expenditure and weight gain. The study proposes a hypothesis linking the brain's energy demand to obesity risk, highlighting the need for further research into the role of brain development on body weight.
The €2m High Performance Computing (HPC) project aims to optimise the sustainable exploitation of wind power. Annual energy production by wind turbines reached around 10.4 per cent in the EU, with Brazil experiencing over 10 per cent annual growth.
A new hybrid technology called Optiverter combines photovoltaic power optimizers and grid converters to maximize energy harvest from PV modules. The Optiverter ensures maximum energy production even in heavy or opaque shade, making it a significant improvement over current technology.
Researchers have integrated power grid considerations into the model of a newly planned net-zero energy district, enabling expansion of sustainable urban areas. The study found that centralized planning provides a means to proactively ensure reliable electricity service and mitigate daily and seasonal fluctuations.
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.
A new method enables efficient use of energy by smart homes in a microgrid, reducing overall load and demand for renewable energy. The approach allows smart homes to exchange surplus renewable energy, optimizing energy use and scheduling.
A recent study published in The FASEB Journal found that some cancer cells switch to alternative molecular mechanisms to evade anti-cancer therapies. Researchers identified several existing and new drugs that specifically target these 'cancer cell escape routes'.