Articles tagged with Fuel
The University of Central Florida is establishing itself as a leader in hypersonics and space propulsion research with substantial new funding from the US Department of Defense. The funding will support the construction of a hypersonic testing facility, flight experiments and further advancements of the technology.
Researchers at RIKEN have improved the stability of a green hydrogen production process by using a custom-made catalyst, increasing its lifetime by almost 4,000 times. The breakthrough uses earth-abundant materials, making it more sustainable and potentially cost-effective for widespread industrial use.
Researchers from USP produced maps showing areas of highest air pollution concentration and peak emissions periods; bus drivers have higher exposure levels than car or subway users. The study also found that green spaces have the best air quality, while high-rise buildings negatively affect dispersion.
A new study published in Nature Sustainability suggests that decommissioned offshore structures may only provide limited long-term ecological benefits. The research analyzed over 530 scientific studies on the effects of marine artificial structures and found no conclusive evidence to support their use as artificial reefs.
Cranfield University has secured over £25 million to establish two new Centres for Doctoral Training, focusing on advancing water security and net zero aviation. The centres will equip students with high-level skills and technologies to drive positive change in these critical areas.
Researchers engineered the electron density of Pd single atoms with twinned Pd nanoparticles, creating strong electronic metal-support interactions for efficient CO2 photoreduction. The team found that Pd-TPs served as an electron donor, enriching electron density on catalytic centers and accelerating carbonyl desorption.
A new study reveals that introducing a simple, renewable chemical to the pretreatment step can make next-generation biofuel production cost-effective and carbon neutral. A CELF biorefinery can more fully utilize plant matter than earlier methods, resulting in sustainable aviation fuel at a break-even price of $3.15 per gallon.
A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the production and use of ammonia as a marine fuel can lead to eutrophication, acidification, and emissions of potent greenhouse gases. Researchers warn that the pursuit of low-carbon fuels may create new environmental challenges.
Scientists at Kyushu University use machine learning to identify promising green energy materials, accelerating the search for hydrogen fuel cell efficiency and expanding material discovery capabilities. Two new candidate materials with unique crystal structures have been successfully synthesized.
Researchers will investigate high-entropy materials to create more sustainable and durable catalysts. The goal is to improve the efficiency of electrocatalysis, paving the way for a new generation of catalysts and reducing the reliance on rare and expensive materials.
Recent research highlights the excellent electrochemical performance of critical 3D printing materials in rechargeable batteries. The study outlines the typical characteristics of major 3D printing methods used in fabricating electrochemical energy storage devices and discusses crucial materials for 3D printing of rechargeable batterie...
Researchers at Washington State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the Fischer Tropsch process, a key step in converting coal, natural gas, and biomass into liquid fuels. The team found that the process exhibits self-sustained oscillations, which can be harnessed to enhance reaction rates and product yields.
Scientists at the University of California - Riverside have developed a fire-safe fuel that cannot ignite without an external electrical current. This breakthrough could significantly reduce the risk of wildfires and improve energy efficiency.
Researchers developed a new type of battery using sheet-like hard carbon and activated carbon with improved structural stability. The materials showed high specific energy and power output, lasting almost no loss in performance after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles.
Researchers demonstrate critical roles of metal cocatalysts in modulating surface oxidation kinetics and selectivity in methane oxidation. Metal cocatalysts play a key role in promoting CO2 production over C2H6 formation.
The UK Research and Innovation has awarded £53 million in funding to six research centers to boost knowledge, create innovative green technologies, and reduce energy demand. The focus is on developing game-changing ideas to improve domestic, industrial, and transport energy systems.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a faster way to synthesize CoSn(OH)6, a powerful catalyst required for high-energy lithium–air batteries. The new method uses solution plasma-based synthesis and achieves highly crystalline CSO crystals with improved catalytic properties.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology reveals that the marine environment is at risk due to ship emissions, particularly from scrubber discharge water and antifouling paint. The cumulative environmental risk in ports was found to be five and thirteen times higher than acceptable limits.
A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.
MethaneMapper is an artificial intelligence-powered hyperspectral imaging tool that can detect real-time methane emissions and trace them to their sources. With a performance accuracy of 91%, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we monitor oil and gas operations and curb climate change.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab used pulse radiolysis to study a key class of water-splitting catalysts, revealing the direct involvement of ligands in the reaction mechanism. The team discovered that a hydride group jumped onto the Cp* ligand, proving its active role in the process.
A new alkaline thermal treatment (ATT) technology produces hydrogen from biomass with significant potential for negative carbon emissions. The study highlights the importance of alkali and catalysts in the reaction mechanism, suggesting strategies to enhance efficiency and overcome kinetic limitations.
Researchers at Cranfield University are developing a new generation of lithium-sulfur batteries that offer improved performance and reduced weight compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The technology has the potential to support electrification of short-haul aircraft, light goods vehicles, and passenger vehicles.
The study found that the US uses mostly synthetic graphite, which is produced from fossil fuel industry by-products, while natural graphite is sourced from mines and imported. The researchers suggest increasing domestic production and recycling of graphite-containing products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a new technique that captures real-time movies of copper nanoparticles as they convert carbon dioxide into renewable fuels and chemicals. The study reveals that metallic copper nanograins serve as active sites for CO2 reduction, paving the way for advanced solar fuel technology.
A team from the University of Cambridge has created a solar-powered reactor that can transform two waste streams, CO2 and plastics, into valuable products. The system produces syngas for sustainable liquid fuels and glycolic acid for the cosmetics industry, offering a promising step towards a circular economy.
Researchers develop AI model to predict exhaust gas emissions from ships under different air-to-fuel ratios. The ensemble dataset and double ensemble models produce the most accurate emission predictions for CO2, NOx, and SO2 gases.
A team led by prof. Sashuk created a semirotaxane molecule that can control the position of another molecule on its axis, regulating the rate of a particular chemical reaction. When exposed to blue light, the system accelerates the C-N coupling reaction by up to 5.4 times.
Researchers designed a bifunctional high entropy metal oxide/carbon nanofibers interlayer via simple electrospinning to improve lithium sulfur battery performance. The unique structure and function of the interlayer reduce shuttle effects and limit lithium polysulfides crossover, resulting in superior electrochemical performance.
A team at the University of Manchester has received funding to develop a novel hydrogen separation technique, which could make clean energy production cheaper and more sustainable. The project aims to overcome cost barriers for commercial hydrogen extraction from unrecyclable wastes, supporting ambitious clean energy targets.
Researchers have developed an intermetallic palladium-zinc alloy with high corrosion resistance and improved catalytic activity. The alloy's unique structure creates a protective skeletal shell around the zinc atoms, preventing leaching and increasing its durability as an electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation reactions.
A team of researchers developed a power sector model to analyze pathways to full independence from Russian natural gas imports. The study found that Europe can eliminate reliance on Russian gas by augmenting REPowerEU plans with temporary boosts in coal and recalibrated gas storage.
The researchers used a new technique to capture the first cross-sectional images of carbon dioxide in the exhaust plume of a commercial jet engine. The images show a ring-structure of high carbon dioxide concentration and a raised region in the middle of the plume.
Researchers have created exceptionally thin nanomembranes that can separate hydrocarbons from crude oil with 90% less energy than traditional distillation columns. The membranes' high permeance and selectivity enable rapid processing of crude oil, reducing plant footprint and energy consumption.
A team of researchers has created a novel catalyst with single gold atoms that selectively converts carbon dioxide into methane. The catalyst, which anchors to an ultrathin zinc–indium sulfide nanolayer, exhibits high activity and CH4 selectivity when exposed to sunlight.
Researchers developed a new analytical instrument using an ultrafast laser to measure hydrogen concentration and temperature, advancing greener hydrogen-based fuel studies. The instrument's capabilities will help develop more environmentally friendly propulsion engines.
A recent investigation by The BMJ reveals that hospital trusts in England are bracing for a significant increase in energy bills this winter, with some anticipating a rise of over 200% in fuel costs. This would result in reduced patient care and staffing levels, posing a major challenge to the NHS's ability to operate effectively.
Researchers create new 'roadmap' for turbulence by analyzing weak turbulent flow between two independently rotating cylinders. They discover that turbulence follows a predictable pattern of recurrent solutions, which explain the emergence of coherent structures in turbulent flows.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed ultra-thin, flexible devices that can convert sunlight into fuels as efficiently as plant leaves. The devices, inspired by photosynthesis, could be used on polluted waterways, in ports or even at sea to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
A plasma-based approach may one day convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and produce fuels, fertilizers on the red planet. The system could play a critical role in life-support systems and future human settlement on Mars.
Researchers have developed a novel dual-atom catalyst design that can reduce the environmental impact of ammonia production. The new design uses a hybrid of iron and molybdenum to activate dinitrogen, resulting in a more efficient and eco-friendly method for ammonia synthesis.
Researchers at KAUST have found that molybdenum plays a central role in electrochemical hydride transfer, a process for producing valuable chemicals or carbon-free fuels. The discovery could enable more sustainable production of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
A University of Central Florida researcher has been awarded $800,000 by the US Department of Energy to investigate elusive chemical compounds known as Criegee intermediates. The research aims to develop more efficient low emission fuel architectures and engine technologies to reduce combustion's impact on the environment.
Researchers have developed a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) to separate propane and ethane from methane, offering a promising alternative to traditional cryogenic distillation. The Cu-MOF exhibits high adsorption capacity and selectivity for C2-C3 hydrocarbons.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a method to make shipping industry significantly greener by using hydrofoils to reduce water resistance. The new technology can increase the range of electric vessels and reduce fuel consumption by up to 80%.
A new membrane stabilizes lithium electrodes by regulating the ion electrodeposition process, leading to improved battery performance. The study demonstrates a significant step towards developing safer and more efficient lithium metal batteries.
Researchers at Ritsumeikan University in Japan have developed a new method to fabricate cadmium-free thin-film solar cells with improved energy conversion efficiency. The process replaces toxic materials with native buffer layers formed through air-annealing, reducing waste and increasing the potential for large-scale manufacturing.
Sandia researchers have designed a reliable and resilient microgrid for NASA's Artemis lunar base, which will sustain astronauts, mining, and fuel processing. The system utilizes distributed energy resources like solar panels and wind turbines, with a focus on efficient power management and scalability.
Researchers have successfully stored liquid fuels like ethanol in polymeric gels, drastically reducing evaporation rates and flammable gas mixtures. The development of this method aims to create safer work environments in industries that use liquid fuels.
Researchers have discovered that lunar soil can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuels, paving the way for sustainable space exploration. The team proposes an 'extraterrestrial photosynthesis' strategy using lunar soil to electrolyze water and produce desired products.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered key structures controlling methane conversion in methane-eating bacteria, enabling potential human-made biological catalysts. The findings may lead to biotechnological applications such as harnessing methane from fracking sites or cleaning up oil spills.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a low-cost method to generate carbon-free fuels by coating a metal foam with iron and cobalt nanomaterials. The device splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, a potential green fuel, using renewable electricity.
Researchers found that desert microbes produce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in arid soils after rain, contradicting the long-held assumption that it comes from fertilized agricultural fields. The study reveals a new source of nitrogen pollution in deserts, driven by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed a method to improve the efficiency of electrolysis for converting CO2 into fuel, reducing unwanted by-products and increasing production by 18 times. The new concept relies on enzymes isolated from bacteria and fine-tunes the local environment to optimize their performance.
A chemical used in electric vehicle batteries can also power rockets and satellites, reducing CO2 emissions and requiring less storage. The new fuel, ammonia borane, releases more energy than traditional hydrocarbon fuels and has no environmental impact.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a way to convert carbon dioxide into fuel using solar energy, creating a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process uses advanced materials and ultra-fast laser spectroscopy, allowing for the conversion of CO2 to carbon monoxide.
Researchers found that fuel poverty leads to higher levels of inflammation, affecting physical health, and lower life satisfaction, impacting wellbeing outcomes. The study's findings highlight the need for policies to support low-income households struggling with fuel poverty.
Recent experiments achieved a burning plasma state in fusion, helping steer fusion research closer to its ultimate goal of a self-sustaining reaction. The results showed gradual improvements that could keep more energy inside the reaction, representing a significant step toward self-sustaining fusion.
Research provides first direct evidence of volatilization of control rods during the FDNichi meltdowns, suggesting that boron remains in the fuel debris. This could limit fission reactions, but extensive follow-up studies are needed to characterize boron species across debris fragments.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new neutron-based method to detect clogs in underwater pipelines non-destructively. This approach uses prompt gamma neutron activation analysis to measure hydrogen concentration, allowing for the detection of blockages and hydrate formation.