Three MIT-affiliated research teams receive $10M in funding to develop novel energy storage technologies for future mobility and autonomous systems. The projects focus on lithium-ion batteries and nanostructured catalysts for oxygen reduction, with the goal of accelerating materials discovery and reducing CO2 emissions.
Researchers observe ultrafast bonding of lithium ions with solvents, challenging existing theory on ion diffusion. The study reveals dynamic restructuring of the solvent shell during ion transport, indicating that electrolytes play an active role in transporting lithium ions.
Researchers at ETH Zurich and IBM Research Zurich have built a tiny redox flow battery that supplies electrical power and cools computer chip stacks simultaneously. The new micro-battery reaches record-high output and has potential applications in lasers, solar cells, and large energy storage systems.
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Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a nanofiber catalyst that improves the efficiency of rechargeable batteries and hydrogen production. The new catalyst, made from double perovskite nanofibers, shows significantly enhanced oxygen evolution reaction capability compared to existing materials.
Biomedical engineers at North Carolina State University have created affordable paper pumps using capillary action that power portable microfluidic devices. These devices hold promise for use in applications ranging from diagnostics to drug testing, offering advantages such as portability, low cost, and disposability.
Researchers at CCNY Energy Institute developed a sustainable, high-energy-density battery using manganese dioxide and copper. The unique material allows for both high cycle life and high areal capacity, making it suitable for practical applications.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed software that allows a swarm of low-cost drones to quickly map an offshore oil spill. The system uses principles from nature, such as flock dynamics, to optimize communication and data sharing among the drones, enabling them to determine the size of the spill in just nine minutes.
The new battery uses hydronium ions as charge carriers, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-based batteries. It has the potential for high-power energy storage and stationary grid storage, making it an attractive option for researchers looking for new alternatives.
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The study investigates the effects of surface area, total pore volume, and pore size distribution on Li-S battery performances. A porous carbon material with a high micropore volume ratio presents improved electrochemical performances, including high initial discharge capacity and cycle stability.
A QUT study reveals that solar PV systems are being acquired by families with lower incomes, contradicting the long-held notion that it is a luxury reserved for high-income individuals. The research found that financial capacity, education status, and home ownership were not the primary factors driving solar uptake.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a small voltaic cell powered by acidic stomach fluids, generating enough energy to run small sensors or drug delivery devices. This innovation could offer a safer and lower-cost alternative to traditional batteries.
Researchers create adaptive lenses made of glycerin and rubber-like membranes to change the focal length, eliminating the need for bifocals or reading glasses. The lenses are controlled by electronics and a battery, allowing users to switch between near and far vision in just 14 milliseconds.
Researchers at the University of Bath have gained important insights to improve the performance of lithium batteries by adding charged metal atoms. This discovery could lead to faster charging batteries for portable electronics and electric vehicles, benefiting consumers and reducing carbon emissions.
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Researchers at UC Riverside developed an innovative energy management system for plug-in hybrids, cutting fuel consumption by over 30% through real-time data analysis. The system combines connected vehicle technology and evolutionary algorithms to optimize power split between engine and battery, achieving greater efficiency.
Duke University researchers have developed a new approach to deep brain stimulation that reduces energy consumption by up to 75% without compromising treatment efficacy. The algorithm uses computational evolution to design tailored patterns for individual patients, leading to improved symptoms and reduced battery replacement procedures.
Researchers found that small solar cells under the skin can generate enough power to fully charge pacemakers or extend their lifespan. This technology has the potential to reduce device replacements and size, saving patients discomfort and stress.
Researchers developed a new setpoint-tracking strategy using fractional calculus to improve the response time and stability of automated systems. The approach outperformed classical integer-order filters in tracking complex paths, offering potential benefits for applications like robotics, self-driving cars, and medical devices.
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Researchers at Binghamton University have created a bacteria-powered battery on a single sheet of paper that can power disposable electronics. The device is self-sustained and requires minimal fabrication time and cost.
A KAUST research team created integrated microsupercapacitors with three-dimensional porous electrodes, achieving high energy density of 200 microwatt-hours per square centimeter. The devices outperform state-of-the-art microsupercapacitors and thin film batteries, offering promising applications for self-powered sensors and IoT systems.
A Stanford University study compared battery electric vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in a hypothetical future scenario. The results showed that investing in all-electric battery vehicles is a more economical choice for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Battery electric vehicles offer higher energy efficiency and lower costs...
A UCF scientist has developed filaments that can harness and store sunlight, weaving them into textiles for a breakthrough in wearable technology. The innovation could revolutionize military and civilian applications, including powering smartphones and electric cars.
Sodium-oxygen batteries have shown improved cycle life and rechargeability thanks to a highly concentrated electrolyte solution. The new approach stabilizes DMSO in the presence of sodium, resulting in a passivating protective layer that enhances battery performance.
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Chinese scientists have designed a solid composite membrane that mimics biological ion channels with molecular sieve technology to effectively separate lithium ions from contaminants in brines. The approach allows for fast lithium ion flux and selectivity over other ions, making it a promising method for improved lithium extraction.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a steel-brass battery that can store energy comparable to lead-acid batteries and charge/dischcharge at rates comparable to ultra-fast charging supercapacitors. The secret lies in anodization, a common chemical treatment used to give aluminum a durable finish.
Researchers at NYIT will study new techniques for secure and energy-efficient smartphone authentication. They aim to reduce the battery drain on smartphones while protecting user identity and privacy.
Researchers have created a new type of switch that can instantly connect and disconnect electrical flow, reducing power waste by up to 50% in devices like smartphones and laptops. This technology has the potential to significantly improve energy efficiency and prolong battery life.
Researchers developed a new method to model microgrids using Hybrid Petri Net (HPN), allowing for efficient operation under various conditions. This analysis helps engineers estimate time and cost required for grid component switching, enabling improved microgrid design.
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Researchers at Oregon State University have found that organic compounds traditionally known as pollutants can function as a low-cost, long-lasting cathode in dual-ion batteries. The discovery has promising characteristics for storing electricity from wind and solar energy, addressing a key constraint to wider use of clean energy systems.
Researchers developed a fractional order model to estimate Lithium-ion battery charge, reducing errors of up to 1% compared to traditional methods. The model replicated the battery's performance and provided accurate results, promising to reduce drivers' anxiety on the road.
Disney Research has developed a one-legged hopper that runs on battery power, breaking its dependence on off-board power. The robot weighs less than five pounds and can maintain its balance for approximately seven seconds.
Researchers created fibers that can capture and release solar energy, forming a flexible textile for powering small electronics like tablets and phones. The new materials were woven into a 'smart garment' that can be cut and tailored to store power from sunlight.
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Researchers at HZDR propose a new mechanism linking planetary tidal effects to the Sun's dynamo, which could drive the 11-year solar cycle. The theory suggests that small forces from Venus, Earth, and Jupiter can initiate oscillations in the alpha effect, leading to polarity reversals.
A new study developed a mixed metal catalyst that enables both charge and discharge reactions in lithium-air batteries, overcoming key barriers to their development. This breakthrough offers opportunities for future research and potential applications in sustainable energy storage.
Chemists have created a new technique to yield highly detailed, three-dimensional images of battery interiors. This approach uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor the condition of batteries in real time, potentially leading to more efficient and safer power sources.
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Berkeley Lab scientists create direct method to study electrochemical double layer using 'tender' X-rays, revealing changes in electric potential and charge properties. This breakthrough advances materials design and development of improved electrochemical systems.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new method for producing metal antimony using electricity, which could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly metal production systems. The process uses electrolysis to separate the metal from a compound, reducing pollution and energy costs.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new radio technology called Braidio that allows small mobile devices to offload energy consumption to larger devices, potentially extending battery life hundreds of times. This technology enables proportional sharing of power between devices, reducing the size and weight of wearable devices.
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A Northwestern University team has developed a nanomaterial that can store large amounts of electrical energy like a battery and charge rapidly like a supercapacitor, promising to improve electric car efficiency. The material's stability allows for 10,000 charge/discharge cycles, making it suitable for commercial applications.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed non-toxic, edible batteries using melanin pigments that can power low-power, repeat applications like drug-delivery devices. The batteries can be used to diagnose and treat diseases with minimal toxicity.
Dr. Jaephil Cho, a top researcher in secondary batteries, has been selected into the list of 'Most Cited Researchers' in Materials Science and Engineering, with eight Korean researchers and five institutions including UNIST making the cut. His research focuses on high-energy-density cathode and anode materials.
The Battery500 consortium is a five-year, $50M project led by PNNL to improve upon today's electric vehicle batteries. The goal is to develop lithium-metal batteries with almost triple the specific energy of current EV batteries, resulting in smaller, lighter and less expensive batteries.
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Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a new garnet-type fast ionic conductor that can be used in all-solid-state lithium batteries. The material exhibits high lithium-ion conductivity and chemical stability, making it suitable for large-scale power sources.
Researchers at Harvard have discovered a whole new class of high-performing organic molecules that can store electricity safely and efficiently in large batteries. These molecules are inspired by vitamin B2 and offer improved stability and solubility compared to previous discoveries.
The ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship has selected three recipients to pursue innovative research in green energy technology. The fellows will receive a minimum of $50,000 each and a one-year complimentary ECS membership.
Borophene exhibits an ultrahigh sodium diffusivity of over a thousand times higher than conventional materials. This leads to a significant improvement in the rate capability of sodium-based batteries. Additionally, borophene maintains good electronic conductivity and stable cyclability during charge and discharge.
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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 developed GreenWeb, a new open-source framework that enables web developers to control energy consumption on mobile devices. The tool reports energy savings of 30-66% over Android's default mode, extending battery life by 20-40%.
A new study by MIT researchers found that certain energy storage systems, such as pumped hydroelectric storage, can add significant value to solar and wind installations in various locations. The study demonstrated that despite regional variations in prices and demand fluctuations, the optimal storage technology is similar across locat...
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The Materials Project has released a vast dataset of material properties, including 1,500 compounds and 21,000 organic molecules, to accelerate battery research. The data enables computationally driven design and discovery of new materials with improved performance and energy density.
Engineers at Binghamton University have developed a disposable microbial fuel cell powered by bacteria available in dirty water, which can power biosensors for up to 20 minutes. The new design boasts increased power density and voltage compared to previous origami batteries, offering potential for use in resource-limited regions.
Scientists have developed a new nanoscale probe to study electrochemical properties, which could lead to significant improvements in battery and fuel cell performance. The device can measure local variations in material properties, allowing researchers to better understand how electrochemical systems work.
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Researchers at MIT and partners developed a tiny origami robot that can unfold from a swallowed capsule and remove stuck objects or patch wounds. The robot uses external magnetic fields to navigate and is made of biocompatible materials, enabling potential medical applications.
Researchers at Disney Research and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a framework called RapID that interprets RFID signals by weighing possibilities, reducing lag times from two seconds to less than 200 milliseconds. This enables the use of low-cost RFID tags in interactive objects, such as games, toys, and physical interfaces.
A €2.4 million project aims to make embedded software safe, customizable, and open source by developing new tools and making existing ones transparent. The project, led by Holger Hermanns at Saarland University, focuses on power management software for mobile devices like smartphones and e-bikes.
The new ion soft-landing technique resulted in electrodes that could store a third more energy and had twice the lifespan compared to conventional methods. The team also found that the POM hybrid electrodes used the active material extremely efficiently, with the lowest amount of POM required to reach their highest capacity.
Scientists at NIST have made significant advances in creating safe and efficient solid-state rechargeable batteries. By modifying the chemical makeup of promising compounds, they increased their current-carrying capacity and enabled them to operate within a wider temperature range.
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Researchers at Michigan State University created a lighter, cheaper moth trap using LED lights and everyday materials. The new trap is effective but less abundant in insect capture compared to traditional mercury vapor black light traps.
Researchers at Southwest Jiaotong University developed an improved algorithm to estimate lithium ion phosphate battery state of charge by separately measuring charging and discharging states. This allows for more accurate estimation amidst initial inaccuracies and varying dynamic characteristics among batteries in series.
Researchers from Brown University found that repeatedly crumpling sheets of graphene can improve its water-repelling properties and electrochemical behavior. The process creates complex architectures with interesting patterns, including superhydrophobic surfaces and enhanced electrodes for batteries and fuel cells.
Scientists have developed a method to transform CO2 from smokestack emissions into high-value materials for lithium and sodium batteries. The process produces carbon nanotubes with stable performance, offering a potential solution for reducing environmental impact of current power plants.