Articles tagged with Fuel
A new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that modern off-grid lighting could create 2 million potential new jobs globally. The transition to solar-LED systems would replace fuel-based lighting, providing better job quality and stability.
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.
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.
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...
A new study reveals that Southern California wildfires have two distinct personalities, with Santa Ana winds-driven fires being more damaging due to faster spread, urban burns, and higher economic losses. Climate change is expected to fan flames for the region, increasing fire risk from hot summers.
Researchers aim to develop more efficient fusion reactions using laser technology, leveraging Sandia's Z accelerator and LLE's OMEGA laser facility to study intermediate-density plasmas. The goal is to improve techniques for compressing and heating fuel to increase efficiency and understand subsidiary processes.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a nanogenerator that converts wasted friction energy into electricity, potentially increasing gas mileage by up to 10%. The device uses the triboelectric effect to harness energy from tire friction, providing an innovative way to reuse energy and reduce waste.
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.
Scientists from Harvard University have developed a system that harnesses solar energy and converts it into a liquid fuel using bacteria. The 'bionic leaf' uses an artificial catalyst to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which is then converted by a bacterium into the liquid fuel isopropanol.
A new study from Harvard University compares the design of fuel systems for soft robots, assessing various types of pneumatic energy sources and their benefits for specific applications. The study provides a framework for configuring fuel systems in soft robotics.
Researchers at Optica have developed a hybrid approach that integrates laser-ablation propulsion with gas blasting nozzles, increasing thrust efficiency. This innovation enables supersonic speeds for launching small satellites and accelerating aircraft to Mach 10 and beyond.
A Scottish startup is scaling up its whisky waste-to-fuel process, converting draff and pot ale into ethanol and 1-butanol. The company has secured funding from the UK government and private investors to move towards a commercial plant.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released an updated compendium of experimental cetane numbers, which provides vital information for the development of new, low-carbon fuels and compatible engines. The update includes additional measurements on a larger number of compounds, along with data quality assessments.
Interdependent networks, such as energy production systems, are more vulnerable to cascading failures due to one-directional connections. The study found that redundancy in connections can impact robustness, with less reliable systems operating near critical thresholds.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed an efficient method for harnessing sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into formic acid, a potential alternative fuel. The process achieves nearly 2% energy efficiency, twice that of natural photosynthesis, and has the potential to store solar energy in fuel cells.
A recent study by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that using a rooftop cargo box can decrease fuel economy by up to 9% and driving with all four windows down can lower it by 4-8.5%. The study tested various configurations, including underinflated tires and towing a trailer.
Berkeley Lab researchers found that hybrid cars are significantly more fuel-efficient in India and China than in the United States. In India, hybrids use up to 47-48% less fuel, while in China, they use up to 53-55%. The study's findings have important implications for countries with growing personal vehicle markets like India.
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have achieved an order of magnitude improvement in yield performance over past experiments on the National Ignition Facility. The boot-strapping process has been demonstrated to increase the rate of fusion reactions, producing more alpha particles and further heating the fuel.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories successfully reduced magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities by adding a secondary magnetic field created by a Helmholz coil to their experiments. This modification allowed the liner to compress fuel more effectively, potentially leading to controlled nuclear fusion.
Researchers have discovered that introducing plasma to combustion reactions can sustain flames in conditions where they would normally be extinguished. This technology could significantly improve the efficiency of military jets, passenger planes, and unmanned drones by conserving fuel and extending flight times.
The University of Texas at Arlington has been awarded $49 million in grants from the National Science Foundation for sustainable chemistry and engineering projects. Researchers Fred MacDonnell and Qiming Zhang are working on converting carbon dioxide to methanol using solar power and developing more efficient solar cell technologies.
Researchers found that biomass pellets released lower levels of mercury when burned, reducing environmental concerns. The study suggests that switching to biomass pellets could be an effective way to decrease mercury emissions in China.
Scientists have developed a new way to predict turbulent flow near walls, which could reduce drag by 30% and save the global economy billions in fuel costs. This breakthrough has the potential to optimize vehicle performance and reduce emissions.
Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.
A team of astronomers has spotted a distant galaxy consuming nearby gas, which fuels star formation and drives rotation. This discovery supports the theory that galaxies pull in material to grow and form stars.
The study aims to investigate how men's and women's hearts use fat for energy differently, with potential consequences for heart disease diagnosis and treatment. Changes in fat metabolism may affect insulin production and lead to diabetes, as well as cause stiffness in heart cells.
New simulations uncover flaw in using hollow cones to guide energetic electrons to fuel pellets for laser-driven fusion. Researchers at Ohio State University found that thicker cones hinder the process due to neutralizing effect of free electrons in dense plasma.
Researchers have made significant progress in producing hydrogen fuel from water using enzymes inspired by bacteria. Their artificial catalyst is stable and efficient, making it a cost-effective way to produce hydrogen.
Researchers have developed self-powered sensors that can harness heat from nuclear reactors to transmit data, addressing a critical monitoring issue. The sensors use thermoacoustic technology, exploiting the interaction between heat and sound waves to operate without electronic power or moving parts.
The University of Tennessee will participate in two Department of Energy projects worth over $9 million to enhance nuclear energy safety and efficiency. Researchers aim to develop new materials and designs that can prevent accidents, such as those seen at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have successfully conducted dry-run experiments on a key aspect of their MagLIF nuclear fusion concept. The experiments tested the durability of cylindrical beryllium liners under intense magnetic fields, with promising results that suggest the concept is moving closer to achieving scientific...
A new analysis reveals that pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) power-generating stations could meet the energy needs of half a billion people by tapping into the global potential of rivers flowing into the sea. This sustainable process requires no fuel and releases no greenhouse gases.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a method to store electrical energy as chemical energy in higher alcohols, which can be used as liquid transportation fuels. They genetically engineered a microorganism to produce isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol using carbon dioxide and electricity.
Researchers from University of Michigan and MIT create 3-D images of vitamin B12 and its partner molecules twisting and contorting during a crucial reaction called methyltransfer. This process is vital for human health and has potential implications for alternative renewable energy sources.
A year after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, scientists are lacking fundamental knowledge about how nuclear fuels behave under extreme conditions. A review article calls for a long-term national research program to study this topic.
Researchers analyzed over 4,000 studies on MOFs, concluding they have immense potential for various applications. The special issue of Chemical Reviews presents the latest advances and prospects for commercial applications of these materials.
Researchers use metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to remove volatile radioactive gas from spent nuclear fuel, reducing waste and increasing the possibility of clean nuclear energy production. The discovery could be applied to nuclear fuel reprocessing or cleanup of nuclear reactor accidents.
Research found that clearing trees and shrubs within 40 meters of houses afforded the greatest protection against house loss during Black Saturday fires. However, intensive fuel reduction can be expensive and have environmental impacts, and is not a guarantee of safety.
The Ground Renewable Expeditionary ENergy System (GREENS) provides continuous power to Marines in the field, reducing the need for fuel transport and minimizing logistics expenses. Developed by ONR, GREENS is a portable, lightweight, and modular system that uses solar power to generate electricity.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that CAFE standards can create a financial incentive for automakers to produce larger vehicles, leading to increased carbon emissions. The study suggests that the policy can be adjusted to reduce these unintended incentives.
The Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) can reduce a standard 50-gallon bag of waste to a half-pint jar of harmless ash. Developed by the Office of Naval Research, MAGS is environmentally friendly and fuel efficient, using thermally converted energy from biomass.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new technology that combines conventional fuel with lower-temperature steam produced by solar power, allowing power plants to operate with 25-50% green energy. This hybrid cycle is highly efficient and uses cost-effective materials, making it a more realistic option for the short-term.
The University of Houston is testing Metro's hybrid and regular buses for fuel efficiency, measuring emissions under controlled conditions. Researchers will track fuel economy and emissions using the university's chassis dynamometer test cell.
Three Penn State-led projects have received more than $1.6 million in combined research and development grants to improve nuclear fuel safety and develop new alloys for extended service. The projects focus on understanding corrosion protectiveness, detecting damage before fatigue cracks, and developing advanced monitoring methods.
Researchers at University of California, Riverside are developing a comprehensive driver feedback technology to cut fuel consumption and emissions. The project aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 30%, leveraging existing technology and integrating features like trip planning, improved driving efficiency, and periodic reporting.
Countries with nuclear power programs need a medium-term strategy for spent fuel storage, according to Allison Macfarlane. The disposal of high-level nuclear waste is possible, but planning ahead is crucial to ensure public safety and sustainability.
Researchers have developed a method to boost algal hydrogen production by 400% using bioengineered proteins, demonstrating the competition between sugar and hydrogen production in algae. This discovery paves the way for large-scale hydrogen fuel manufacturing using water and sunlight.
ScienceBuddies.org engages students in hands-on science, attracting 9.8 million unique visitors in 2010. The site offers personalized learning tools and features over 1,000 project ideas to ignite passion for learning.
Researchers have developed a new laser system that can ignite engine air-fuel mixtures more efficiently than traditional spark plugs. The laser system is made from ceramics and promises less pollution and greater fuel economy, but further testing is needed to make it commercially viable.
Materials scientists at Harvard have successfully demonstrated the first macro-scale thin-film solid-oxide fuel cell, overcoming structural challenges to achieve comparable power density to micro-SOFCs. The breakthrough uses a metallic grid to support a large membrane, enabling scalability for practical clean-energy applications.
Researchers at Arizona State University and the UK have created a platform using biological nanowires to funnel excess energy from photosynthesis directly into fuel production. This innovation aims to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis, enabling the production of sustainable bioenergy.
The US lags behind other countries in nuclear fuel recycling due to unfounded concerns and myths. Reprocessing spent fuel can recover significant energy value and reduce high-level nuclear waste volume.
A study reviews nuclear power economics and concludes that the current fuel cycle is unsustainable due to uncertainty about waste management. Reprocessing and recycling of spent fuel is an alternative, but its implementation is controversial due to proliferation risks and high costs.
Scientists at MIT find molecular mechanism for storing and releasing heat on demand, enabling potential for rechargeable batteries and fuel, and opening door to more abundant materials.
A University of Michigan researcher proposes a 'revolution by evolution' to boost fuel efficiency in gasoline-powered cars. By prioritizing efficient combustion engines and hybrid drives, the target is to reach 52 mpg by 2025 and 74 mpg by 2035.
Researchers have developed a microbial fuel cell that can generate electricity from mud and wastewater using the tiny Geobacter microbe, which uses its hair-like extensions to produce power. The technology has potential applications in powering autonomous underwater vehicles and tracking ocean life.
A study by the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service found that the air in broiler house attics can be as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than outside, reducing the need for heating fuel. This technology uses ceiling inlets to circulate solar-heated attic air within the chicken houses.
This study investigates the effects of low sulfur diesel fuel on ultrafine particle emissions from a compression-ignition engine. The results show that the fuel reduces both mass concentration and number concentration of particles, which can help mitigate respiratory problems. The composition of nanoparticles emitted from ordinary dies...
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that microcrystalline cellulose can partially replace silica as a reinforcing filler in tire manufacture, decreasing energy required and costs. The new material shows comparable traction on cold or wet pavement and provides higher fuel efficiency than traditional tires in hot weather.
A Florida State University research group has received a $1 million grant to develop new theoretical models for studying the microstructure of nuclear reactor fuels. The goal is to improve fuel reliability and performance, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and radioactive element release.