Articles tagged with Fuel
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.
A new study led by CU-Boulder found that only 11% of fuel-reduction activities took place within 1.5 miles of the wildland-urban interface, where fires pose the greatest risk to homes and people. The research suggests federal wildfire treatments are minimally effective at mitigating wildfire threat.
Researchers at NYU and Harvard created a bipedal, autonomous DNA walker that can move on its own using two fuel strands. The device forms base pairs as it moves along a track of DNA, creating energy for movement.
Researchers have designed a new rear spoiler that can reduce drag and lift significantly, resulting in improved fuel consumption and vehicle handling. The spoiler's unique design can improve fuel efficiency by up to several miles per gallon and lower carbon emissions.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have created a computer model that maps the metabolism of Nostoc bacteria, revealing a previously unknown link between energy production and nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough could lead to improved hydrogen production and further investigation into synthetic biology.
The Argonne-developed Diesel DeNOx Catalyst can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel-fueled engines by 95-100 percent. The technology uses inexpensive metals and diesel fuel as a reductant, making it economical to produce and use.
Scientists have created a new generation of nanomotors that are up to 10 times more powerful than existing motors, with top speeds reaching 94-200 micrometers per second. The innovation uses carbon nanotubes to boost the speed and efficiency of the motors.
Researchers have developed a cubic-meter-scale antineutrino detector that can quickly and precisely monitor the operational status and thermal power of nuclear reactors over hour-to-month-time scales. This new tool provides a direct measurement of reactor performance, enabling nonproliferation efforts by detecting fissile material inve...
A team of researchers from INL and partner institutions has successfully improved coated-particle nuclear fuel performance by reaching a burnup of 9% without any fuel failure. The breakthrough increases the efficiency of the reactor system, reducing fuel requirements and waste generation.
Nectar-feeding bats have the highest metabolic costs among mammals, requiring them to fuel up directly from sugary nectars. This direct metabolism method saves energy by avoiding storage conversions, but also makes them highly vulnerable to environmental changes affecting their food supply.
A UCLA study suggests that lactate may be a key fuel for the brain after traumatic injury, potentially replacing glucose. Researchers found that the brain takes up and utilizes lactate more than at any other time after injury, making it a faster and more efficient source of energy.
The new Georgia Tech satellite engine uses solar power and fine-tuned exhaust velocity to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 percent. This allows for more payload in orbit and potentially lower launch costs.
New measurements reveal that traditional cook stoves produce twice as much smoke particles as previously thought, leading to a significant impact on global climate change. The researchers found that these dark particles have a climate warming effect due to their ability to absorb solar energy and heat the atmosphere.
The Stagnation Point Reverse Flow Combustor reduces NOx and CO emissions by burning fuel in low-temperature reactions, eliminating high-temperature pockets. The design can be adapted for various applications, including aircraft engines and power-generating gas turbines.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new nuclear fuel that conducts heat better than conventional fuels, promising to be safer and last longer. The fuel is made by interlacing uranium oxide with beryllium oxide, which increases thermal conductivity by 50%, reducing the risk of catastrophic accidents and allowing for more e...
Researchers propose Assured Nuclear Fuel Services Initiative (ANSFI) to provide nuclear fuel services to countries without enrichment capabilities. The initiative aims to prevent proliferation by making it economically attractive for countries to join, reducing the risk of weapons development.
A team of researchers from Penn State University has developed a bacteria-driven cell that produces hydrogen for fuel while simultaneously cleaning wastewater. The innovation utilizes a microbial fuel cell to harness the power of microorganisms to generate electricity and purify water.
Termite guts have been found to convert cellulose into ethanol, a potential solution for the world's energy supply and storage problems. Chu believes that biology can be used as a solution to pressing environmental issues.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed aerodynamic improvements and flow control techniques that can reduce fuel consumption in heavy trucks by as much as 11-12 percent. The technologies, inspired by systems originally developed for jet aircraft wings, also enhance braking and directional control, potentially imp...
Solid fuel particles may be a safer alternative to gaseous fuels for use in hazardous environments on Earth, as they burn more efficiently in microgravity. Researchers used the NASA 'Vomit Comet' aircraft to simulate weightlessness and measure burning characteristics of various solid fuel particles.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon develop Fe-TAML activators that rapidly convert recalcitrant sulfur compounds into easily extracted substances, resulting in nearly sulfur-free fuel. The technology has the potential to aid in the development of cleaner burning and more fuel-efficient automobile engines.
The PNNL-developed microscale fuel processor, the smallest integrated catalytic fuel reformer in the world, provides a low-watt power source for hand-held devices. This compact system enables soldiers to operate essential electronic equipment without added weight or bulk.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new microfluidic fuel cell that can generate electricity under pulsating conditions, mimicking the flow of blood. This design could help power medical implants and eliminate the need for frequent glucose level monitoring in diabetics.
A DNA-based computer, award-winning for smallest biological computing device, processes input molecules using spontaneous energy releases to carry out computations without external power. The device contains 15,000 trillion computers performing 330 trillion operations per second with high accuracy.
Researchers at Sandia National Labs successfully achieved symmetrical implosions and significant neutron production using intense x-rays to squeeze millimeter-scale fuel capsules, a crucial step towards nuclear fusion energy. The experiments demonstrate the potential for scaling up fusion reactions.
A year-long evaluation of hybrid buses in NYC's fleet found a 10% higher in-service fuel economy and 36% lower oxides of nitrogen emissions. However, maintenance costs were significantly higher due to the maturity level of the technology, but are expected to decrease as it advances.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel X-ray camera capable of capturing microsecond images of events hidden to optical cameras. The camera successfully imaged shock waves generated by high-pressure fuel sprays, providing new insights into the distribution and atomization of diesel fuel.
A Kenyan study found a significant link between exposure to particulate matter (PM10) from biomass fuels and acute respiratory infections. The researchers estimated the public health benefits of reduced PM10 exposure, with the greatest impact seen for average exposures below 1000-2000 mg/m3.
A recent field study found that use of ethanol fuels leads to increased levels of toxins called aldehydes and peroxyacyl nitrates (PAN), which can last for many days in the air. PAN is highly toxic to plants and a powerful eye irritant, posing health and environmental risks.