Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a solar cell that captures CO2 and sunlight to produce hydrocarbon fuel. The 'artificial leaf' technology solves two crucial problems simultaneously by converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel, making it a game-changer for energy production.
The US Energy Department has granted $2.5 million to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to explore ways to use biorefinery waste to produce marketable products, including bioplastics. The study aims to make biorefineries economically viable and sustainable.
A recent study reveals that ship engine emissions adversely affect macrophages, a key component of the immune system. The toxic effects of these emissions on macrophages can lead to pro-inflammatory reactions and other biological processes, highlighting the need for efficient particle-reducing measures.
Researchers improved understanding of the process that stops reactions in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), a clean energy technology that has struggled to gain wide acceptance. The study found that an electric field can prevent failures and improve system performance by capturing the complexity of the triple-phase boundary.
A new study from University of Toronto researchers reveals that gasoline-direct injection (GDI) engines, touted for their fuel efficiency, may actually emit more climate-warming black carbon and toxic pollutants than conventional engines. The study found that GDI engines ranked in the 73rd percentile for black carbon emissions, while v...
A study by Naomi Zimmerman and colleagues found that newer fuel-efficient engines may actually increase global warming due to higher black carbon emissions. Installing particulate filters in these engines could help balance this impact, but factors like engine design and location play a role.
A team of researchers from Iowa State University has developed a proof-of-concept three-dimensional paper-based microbial fuel cell that generates power through biofilm formation on the anode. The device produces 1.3 μW of power and 52.25 μA of current, demonstrating its potential for environmentally friendly energy production.
The discovery could lead to more efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity and fuel by minimizing the distance electrons travel through chemical bonds. This finding has implications for both solar fuel devices and biological systems, where understanding electron transfer is crucial.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new method for producing clean hydrogen using photovoltaic water splitting, which can be used to power cars and store excess energy in the grid. The team also designed a novel rechargeable zinc battery with improved stability, enabling grid-scale energy storage.
Researchers have developed a new material that can capture certain gases released during nuclear fuel reprocessing at ambient temperature, potentially saving energy and reducing costs. The material, known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), has the potential to improve nuclear fuel recycling and waste reduction.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have discovered a new phase transition in an oxide material, enhancing the performance of solid oxide fuel cells. This breakthrough could lead to more robust and efficient fuel cells with reduced emissions.
A new membrane inspired by cacti can improve fuel cell efficiency by up to four times in hot and dry conditions. This technology could transform the electric vehicle industry by reducing water management issues and increasing performance.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that a protein complex called AMPK plays a critical role in monitoring and managing cells' energy processes during development. The discovery sheds new light on cancer and diabetes pathways, offering potential insights into stem cell therapies and cancer treatments.
A Midwest bakery's switch to propane from diesel resulted in significant petroleum displacement and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Alpha Baking Company saved seven cents per mile on fuel costs with the new vehicles.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a miniature fuel cell that can generate electricity from urine, offering an affordable and carbon-neutral way to produce power. The device has the potential to provide much-needed electricity to remote areas at low cost.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that enables the production of fuel-grade oil from plants, a breakthrough that could lead to sustainable energy solutions. The enzyme, lycopaoctaene synthase (LOS), is capable of initiating the production of hydrocarbons, which can be used to make fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
Researchers at MIT propose a hybrid system that combines coal gasification and fuel cells to boost efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The system achieves efficiencies up to 55-60%, compared to conventional plants' 30% efficiency.
University of Utah engineers developed a handheld scanner that can detect small traces of alkane fuel vapor, crucial for preventing oil pipeline leaks and detecting explosives. The portable device will be used to locate leaks in pipelines, airplane fuel tanks, and security threats, providing real-time warnings.
Engineers at the University of Missouri have developed a method to transfer energy sources to virtually any shape using an efficient laser-writing technique. This technique enables the fabrication of microbatteries and micro fuel cells that are more environmentally friendly, highly designable, and thin.
Researchers have developed smaller, cheaper microbial fuel cells that can efficiently produce bioenergy from urine. The new design increases power output and reduces costs compared to traditional models.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that fuel-starved light receptors contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration. The researchers discovered that photoreceptors need lipids, not just glucose, to function properly and that blocking a specific receptor can prevent abnormal vessel growth.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a new materials recipe for a battery-like hydrogen fuel cell, pushing its performance forward in key areas. The graphene-encapsulated magnesium crystals act as 'sponges' for hydrogen, offering a compact and safe way to store hydrogen.
Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a new method for creating uniform, highly active gold nanoparticle catalysts for fuel cells. The novel approach involves wrapping a graphene support in a specially prepared polymer, resulting in the lowest overpotential ever reported for this type of reaction.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a miniaturized solid oxide fuel cell that can power drones for more than an hour. The fuel cell's high power density and durability make it suitable for portable electronic devices, including smartphones and laptops.
A study found that 4% of agricultural land and 3-4% of fresh water are used for biofuel production, which could feed 280 million more people if used for food. The increasing competition between fuel and food production threatens global food security due to the growing world population.
Researchers at Boston University found that urban soils in metropolitan areas surrounding the city core release significant amounts of CO2 through a process called soil respiration. This discovery highlights the importance of considering biological emissions in assessments of climate action programs.
UTA researchers have developed a new hybrid material that demonstrates improved efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in solar fuel generation. The material uses ultra-long carbon nanotube networks with copper oxide nanoparticles, generating five-fold higher electrical conductivity and three-fold increase in photocurrents.
A UK study found that improved fuel efficiency leads to a 20% increase in driving due to cheaper fuel, eroding energy-saving benefits. The 'rebound effect' has significant implications for public policy and transportation planning.
For the first time, researchers have directly converted carbon dioxide from the air into methanol at relatively low temperatures. This process uses renewable energy to transform the greenhouse gas into a clean-burning fuel for internal combustion engines and fuel cells.
Researchers develop technique to 'see' energy delivery in fast ignition, achieving record high efficiency. The new approach enables better understanding of energy flow and investigation of experimental designs.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a low-cost nickel-based catalyst that can power fuel cells with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough could make hydrogen fuel cell cars truly affordable, potentially priced around $23,000 for a Toyota Mirai.
Researchers at MIT have developed a queuing model that predicts taxiing time, allowing air traffic controllers to direct departures more efficiently. The model led to significant fuel savings in tests at various US airports, with each gate-held aircraft saving 16-20 gallons of fuel.
Researchers have created a new type of membrane that can efficiently convert chemical reactions into electrical current, potentially revolutionizing the fuel cell industry. The development has the potential to replace internal combustion engines and reduce harmful emissions.
A new study from the University of Washington and MIT found that US fuel economy improvements are on par with those achieved in the 1970s, but may not be enough to meet future climate commitments. The research suggests that automakers have been unable to deliver sufficient levels of innovation since the 1990s, highlighting the need for...
Researchers have created more efficient nanoparticles in fuel cells, improving the conversion of methanol into electrical energy. The study provides guidelines for controlling the charge of nanoparticles, a crucial step in optimizing catalytic efficiency.
A pair of socks embedded with microbial fuel cells powered by wearer's urine has successfully transmitted signals wirelessly. The system opens possibilities for using waste as a power source in portable and wearable electronics.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to producing cleaner diesel by optimizing molecule interactions between metal and solid-state acid catalysts. This method can significantly reduce particulates and CO2 emissions from cars.
Scientists have reported a high-performance nanoparticle electrocatalyst for fuel cells, featuring durable and active PtFe nanoparticles coated with nitrogen-doped carbon shells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and affordable fuel cell technology.
A new MIT study proposes refueling on the moon to reduce launch mass for a Martian mission, with the potential to save 68% of cargo. The research suggests that establishing an infrastructure in space could enable sustainable travel between planetary bodies.
A new concept correlates geometric and adsorption properties in catalyst design. Researchers developed a platinum-based catalyst for fuel cell applications, showing up to three and a half times greater catalytic activity than existing ones.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new, efficient catalyst using molybdenum disulfide that can produce four times the amount of hydrogen as before. The catalyst's action can be triggered by sunlight, making it an off-the-grid means of securing hydrogen fuel.
A new material with extremely long polymer chains has been developed to reduce fuel misting and consequential explosiveness. The polymers can break apart when sheared during flow but reassemble into super-long chains needed to prevent misting, resulting in significant reductions in misting and explosiveness.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a polymeric fuel additive that reduces the intensity of postimpact explosions in jet engines, without affecting fuel performance. The additive works by inhibiting droplet breakup under impact conditions, thereby reducing explosion size and turbulence.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new DNA-templated gold nanocluster that enhances electron transfer in enzymatic fuel cells. The AuNC facilitates oxygen reduction reactions, lowering overpotential and increasing electrocatalytic current densities.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have made breakthroughs in manipulating photosynthesis to create a robust and renewable energy source. By storing sunlight in chemical bonds, they can produce hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that could power cars and households.
Researchers at OIST have developed a way to prevent noble metal nanoparticles from compacting by encapsulating them individually in a porous shell made of a metal oxide. This technique improves the rate of electrochemical reactions in methanol fuel cells, leading to more efficient fuel cell performance.
The US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has found that butanol can be used as a safe and effective alternative fuel for recreational boats. This new blend, which includes 16% butanol, was demonstrated to outperform ethanol at 10% in terms of performance, efficiency, and emissions.
Sandia National Laboratories is helping Red and White Fleet design, build, and operate a high-speed hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry and hydrogen refueling station. The project aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality in harbor areas.
Researchers have developed a new fabrication technique to produce ultra-thin hollow nanocages with platinum walls, which can increase the utilization efficiency of the metal by up to seven times. The new structures can use smaller amounts of platinum, making fuel cells more economically viable.
The increasing levels of fossil fuel emissions could dilute radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere, artificially raising its age. This could impact various applications of radiocarbon dating, including archaeology, art authentication, and neurological research, potentially affecting results by the 2020s.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a novel solar fuel cell that produces hydrogen gas from liquid water using gallium phosphide nanowires. The yield is increased by a factor of ten, and the material usage is reduced to 10,000 times less.
A Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) study found that fuel cells for cars are only ecologically sound if they run on hydrogen from renewable energy sources. Electric cars powered by EU electricity also produce more environmental pollution than gasoline-powered cars.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have introduced a new approach to molecular fuel cell catalysts, which uses nitroxyls and nitrogen oxides for more efficient energy storage. The catalyst achieves comparable efficiency to platinum while offering advantages in terms of modifiability.
Research teams have developed new materials to improve water splitting and oxygen reduction reactions, crucial steps in hydrogen fuel cells. These advancements could lead to more efficient and cost-effective production of hydrogen-powered cars.
Leading doctors and academics call for divestment from fossil fuel companies, citing the need to prevent runaway climate change and unprecedented harm to global health. The authors argue that shareholder engagement is ineffective in switching dependence on fossil fuels with renewables.
A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that the US Department of Defense overspends on fuel costs by $1-9 billion annually, with a volatile crude oil market exacerbating the issue. Improving planning and budgeting practices could help mitigate these risks, according to the study.
Researchers at NIST have created a fast process for making platinum nano-raspberries, which can act as catalysts in fuel cells. The nano-raspberries exhibit high surface area and stable clumping behavior, encouraging efficient reactions. This breakthrough could lead to more practical fuel cell technology.
Researchers at Mascoma and BESC have developed a revolutionary strain of yeast that can efficiently convert biomass sugars into fuel, setting a new standard for biofuel production. The microbe achieves 97% conversion of xylose and glucose in less than 48 hours, significantly increasing ethanol yield.
A new study found emissions of ozone-forming compounds at an Illinois ethanol refinery are 30 times higher than government estimates. Emissions from other refineries in the US may also be underestimated, potentially making them a larger source of VOCs than currently thought.
The 'GESTOIL' system enables significant fuel savings of up to 25% in troll fishing and 10% in purse-seine vessels. Energy audits on fishing vessels help optimize energy consumption through technical and operational improvements.