A new catalyst has been developed to improve Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) performance by forming a self-assembled alloy at the surface. The catalyst was tested using methane gas directly, operating stably for over 500 hours with four times higher reaction efficiency than previous catalysts.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new fuel cell concept that uses an organic compound called quinone to shuttle electrons and protons, increasing energy efficiency by 100 times compared to previous designs. The design also reduces costs by using lower-cost metals like cobalt as catalysts.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a new method to efficiently heat plasma using high magnetic fields and relativistic electron beams. By guiding the beam along magnetic field lines, they achieved higher energy coupling rates than previous methods, making this approach more suitable for controlled nuclear fusion.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a plasma treatment method that modifies electrode surfaces to facilitate efficient water transport in fuel cells. This innovation enables fuel cells to operate effectively without excessive moisture, improving overall performance and energy conversion rates.
A new method to create single-atom catalysts for fuel cells has been developed at Washington State University, potentially making clean energy technology more economically viable. The catalysts, made from iron or cobalt salts and glucosamine, show improved stability and activity compared to commercial platinum catalysts.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have found a way to produce Bioethanol using seawater and a novel marine yeast strain, reducing the need for freshwater resources. This breakthrough could help alleviate concerns over food crop and water usage, making it a more sustainable fuel alternative.
A KAUST study investigated the ignition of methanol-based fuel formulations and found that blending dimethyl ether (DME) with methanol improves combustion efficiency. The researchers also discovered that DME dominates reaction pathways during initial phase of ignition, but can be less effective at high temperatures.
Four Argonne experts earn Distinguished Achievement awards for their work on transportation, sustainability, and mobility. The team created tools to measure alternative fuel technologies and standardized EV charging standards globally.
Sandia National Laboratories has built a scaled test assembly to mimic a dry cask storage container for spent nuclear fuel. The team is providing new data on how fuel temperatures change during storage and affect the integrity of the metal cladding surrounding the spent fuel.
A new study emphasizes the importance of behavioral policies in encouraging the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles, citing consumer preferences and climate policies as key factors. The research suggests that a combination of policies can increase the market share of low-carbon vehicles to over 25% by 2050.
A zero-emissions marine research vessel, nicknamed the Zero-V, is technically and economically feasible to build using hydrogen fuel cells. The project aims to reduce air and ocean pollution while providing a stable platform for scientists to conduct research in sensitive ecological areas.
The US Navy is developing a new type of coating that can repel various liquids and reduce friction drag on ships, potentially saving millions in fuel costs. Researchers have created an omniphobic coating that can be applied to multiple surfaces and withstand scratches and daily wear.
A new study suggests that the global economy is facing a potential $1-4 trillion loss in fossil fuel assets, regardless of climate policies. The 'carbon bubble' is expected to burst due to declining demand for fossil fuels and technological advancements in low-carbon technologies.
Researchers have designed a new material that uses self-assembly to create an efficient catalyst for hydrogen fuel cells. The catalyst is made from a combination of cobalt and ruthenium molecules that assemble themselves into the desired structure, allowing for large-scale production at a lower cost than current platinum-based catalysts.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a lignin-based fuel cell that converts the chemical energy of forest fuels into electricity without emitting carbon dioxide. The use of conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS as both electrode and proton conductor enables efficient proton-coupled electron transfer reactions.
A new artificial photosynthesis device doubles the efficiency of harnessing sunlight to generate hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel. The device uses water and light from the sun, paving the way for large-scale production of clean hydrogen fuel.
A team of renewable energy experts at the University of Exeter has developed a new method to produce hydrogen from sunlight using a revolutionary photo-electrode. This breakthrough could create a virtually limitless energy source with zero carbon emissions and double the energy density of fossil fuels.
Researchers have created a new class of crystalline porous organic salts with exceptional proton conductivity, potentially revolutionizing fuel cell technology. The salts' unique structure and strong ionic bonds enable stable pore systems, making them highly efficient electrolytes for fuel cells.
A team of researchers has developed a framework to optimize fuel and resource usage in space travel. By considering multiple missions together, or campaigns, they can minimize launch mass and cost. The study also explores the use of propellant depots in space, which could significantly reduce fuel needs for future missions.
A team of researchers led by Imperial College London has developed a new technique to estimate CO2 emissions from fossil fuels using atmospheric measurements. The study found that the reported and actual emissions matched up well in California, suggesting the technique could be used globally.
Researchers used numerical modeling to study the dynamics of supersonic flow, revealing two induced combustion modes and a local quasi detonation mode due to incident shock waves. The simulations provide valuable insights for scramjet engine design, enabling the optimization of mixing and combustion processes.
A new catalyst developed by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers can significantly improve the efficiency of fuel cells by speeding up oxygen processing. This breakthrough could enable the widespread adoption of clean energy technology and reduce costs associated with producing hydrogen fuel, a key ingredient for fuel cells.
The Sandia transport triathlon tested the safe transportation of spent nuclear fuel by combining data from three modes of transportation: truck, ship, and train. The test yielded valuable insights into the stresses experienced by fuel rods during routine handling and transportation.
A team of researchers will work on creating hydrogen fuel from renewable sources, such as sunlight, to produce a clean alternative for transportation and residential applications. The goal is to make headway in the food-energy-water nexus by bypassing natural photosynthesis.
New research reveals that global fossil fuel emissions of hydrocarbons, particularly ethane and propane, have been significantly underestimated. These pollutants are harmful in large cities, forming ozone that directly links to increased mortality. The study calls for further investigation into methane emissions from natural gas sources.
The US Department of Energy awards a $10.6 million grant to produce more biodiesel and biojet fuel from high-oil content crops like energycane and Miscanthus. The project aims to increase oil production by 15 times compared to soybeans, making it a more sustainable alternative.
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers has discovered new materials that could enable solid oxide fuel cells to operate at lower temperatures, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. The researchers used quantum mechanics-based computational techniques to screen over 2,000 candidate materials, yielding a list of 52 poten...
A Northwestern University team has created a new fuel cell with exceptional power densities and long-term stability at optimal temperatures. The discovery enhances the viability of incorporating fuel cells into a sustainable energy future by solving multiple problems simultaneously through electrode, electrolyte, and contact improvements.
Researchers at Siberian Federal University have developed a new method for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in heat power plants (HPPs). By modeling the process of coal burning and testing different fuels, they found that mechanically activated fuel can reduce Nox emissions by up to 50% compared to traditional coal. This technology ha...
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have developed a new fuel cell technology powered by solid carbon, which can utilize three times as much carbon as earlier designs. The innovation enables lower temperatures and higher power densities, making it potentially more efficient than conventional hydrogen fuel cells.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have created a new, highly efficient catalyst material that could significantly reduce the cost of producing fuel cells. The material, made from porous carbon nanofibers embedded with cobalt, outperforms industry-standard platinum-carbon systems but at a fraction of the cost.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that despite the Clean Heat Program, many buildings continued to burn residual diesel fuel oil, releasing high levels of particulate matter and linked health problems. The researchers recommend new incentives and a building energy rating system to encourage conversion.
KAIST researchers have developed a new technique to improve the chemical stability of electrode materials in solid oxide fuel cells. By employing a small amount of metals, they can extend the lifespan of these energy technology devices. This innovation has the potential to improve the long-term performance and durability of fuel cells.
A new carbon-based nanocomposite with embedded metal ions has shown impressive performance as a catalyst for electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen. The material's high catalytic activity and stability could lead to low-cost and efficient hydrogen production, a key step towards clean fuel.
A University of Iowa study reveals how excess fat in the heart's mitochondria leads to impaired energy production and cardiac damage. Researchers found that lipid overload causes small, misshapen mitochondria that don't produce energy efficiently.
Researchers at Rice University have optimized nanomaterials for fuel-cell cathodes, revealing that nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons can replace platinum to boost fuel cell efficiency. The study showed that the right balance of binding energy is crucial for good catalytic performance.
Researchers have developed a novel photovoltaic-powered electrolysis device that can operate as a stand-alone platform on open water, producing hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. The device separates gases using buoyancy-driven product separation, resulting in high product purity without actively pumping the electrolyte.
Scientists from the University of Surrey developed non-metal electro-catalysts for fuel cells using Halloysite clay, urea, and furfural, achieving a power density performance of 703 mW cm-2.
Researchers have developed a new microbial fuel cell that can produce maximum power and exhibit stable electricity-generating capability when tested under stretching and twisting cycles. The textile-based biobattery could be integrated into wearable electronics in the future, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly energy solution.
MIT researchers have developed a new membrane-based system that can convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels for cars, trucks, and planes, as well as into chemical feedstocks. The process uses heat energy from solar or waste sources to store chemical energy in form of useful products.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a 2-in-1 device that uses solar energy to create and store hydrogen fuel for eco-friendly cars. The technology produces hydrogen using abundant and less expensive elements, making it more affordable for consumers.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that treating poultry waste to produce hydrochar generates more net energy than biochar, making it a promising renewable fuel source. The study also showed that higher temperatures during production result in reduced emissions of methane and ammonia.
Researchers have demonstrated the full process of making kerosene, the jet fuel used by commercial airlines, using a high-temperature thermal solar reactor to create syngas. The feedstock is essentially unlimited, providing a potentially game-changing alternative to fossil fuels.
A recent study at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source used X-ray-based imaging to investigate the effects of temperature and moisture on fuel-cell performance. The research found that even slight saturation produces nearly double thermal conductivity, while water evaporation increases dramatically at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed an optical diagnostic that can quantify the formation of soot in combusting fuel sprays, enabling engine developers to design advanced combustion strategies for cleaner engines. The device uses a custom engineered diffuser to emit light rays with the same brightness over a spec...
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed an extremely efficient molecular trap that can capture radioactive iodides in spent nuclear reactor fuel, far outperforming existing industrial materials. The material has high porosity and can be recycled and reused, making it a potential game-changer for nuclear waste reprocessing.
University of Delaware researchers have developed catalysts that transform lignocellulosic biomass into high-carbon molecules suitable for jet fuel, enabling cost-competitive and sustainable production. The process operates at low temperature and is scalable, addressing the need for non-petroleum-based fuels for aviation.
Breast cancer cells recycle ammonia, a waste byproduct of cell metabolism, and use it as a source of nitrogen to fuel tumor growth. Repressing ammonia metabolism stunts tumor growth in mice.
Researchers have developed a new hybrid nanomaterial that can efficiently extract hydrogen fuel from seawater using solar energy. This breakthrough could lead to a new source of clean-burning fuel, reducing demand for fossil fuels and boosting the economy of Florida.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a new metal-free photocatalyst that absorbs a wider range of sunlight than before, producing visible and near-infrared light-driven hydrogen from water. This breakthrough could lead to cheap and clean hydrogen fuel, tackling the challenges of the hydrogen economy.
A study found that mutations in the KEAP1 gene make lung adenocarcinoma cells vulnerable to oxidative stress, allowing an experimental drug called CB-839 to stop tumor growth. The discovery could lead to a more effective treatment for patients with combined KRAS and KEAP1 mutations.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used the Mira supercomputer to simulate over 2,000 engine design combinations, reducing design time from months to weeks. The simulations identified two optimized fuel-engine concepts that can improve fuel efficiency substantially.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have successfully demonstrated the efficient conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and alcohols using artificial photosynthesis. The system achieved efficiencies rivaling natural counterparts, producing ethanol and ethylene with high energy conversion rates.
Researchers have developed a new promising feedstock for biojet fuel that could replace up to 65% of national jet fuel consumption. The feedstock, called lipidcane, produces oil-rich sugarcane that can be converted into biodiesel or jet fuel.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that fuel economy standards are not as difficult to meet as previously believed, with potential benefits including lower costs for consumers and automakers. The research also suggests that slightly slower acceleration times can significantly reduce overall emissions.
The University of Delaware team developed a new technology that can make fuel cells cheaper and more durable. They created a catalyst of tungsten carbide nanoparticles, which improves water management and reduces the burden on the humidification system in fuel cells.
Researchers have devised a new way of producing hydrogen fuel by combining a photosensitive protein with titanium dioxide particles in nanodiscs. The process, which uses sunlight to generate energy, results in the production of hydrogen at an efficiency rate of 45% or more.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have discovered a new class of low-cost fuel cell catalysts that match the performance of precious metal-based catalysts. Direct atomic-level observations have provided unique insights into their efficiency potential.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists have developed a technique to efficiently extract hydrogen from water using electricity. The new catalysts enable high-performance water splitting with minimal catalyst loading, making it scalable and cost-effective.
Researchers at UNIST have successfully developed a new anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that can operate on hydrocarbon fuels, offering improved stability and reduced production costs. The breakthrough enhances the potential for commercialization of SOFCs, which could achieve efficiency higher than 90%.