Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Helping general electric upgrade the US power grid

Researchers at General Electric and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have collaborated on designing a plasma-based power switch, which could contribute to the US power grid's advancement and reliability. The switch utilizes a compact, low-cost design, potentially reducing utility bills and enhancing grid efficiency.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Controlling thermal conductivities can improve energy storage

Scientists have developed a way to modulate the thermal conductivity of lithium cobalt oxide, a key material for rechargeable batteries. This breakthrough enables dynamic control of heat evolution and dissipation, leading to improved performance and safety.

Enhancing battery performance

Researchers from Japan have developed a new method to align the individual grains of lithium cobalt oxide in a cathode, resulting in improved Li-ion battery performance. The aligned structure allows for easier access for lithium ions, reducing stress and increasing efficiency, making it a major breakthrough in Li-ion battery technology.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Fuel cell innovation by Korean researchers

A Korean research team developed a new cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that performs well even at the intermediate temperature range. The material has excellent oxygen reduction reaction and surface oxygen exchange, leading to improved efficiency and reliability.

'Popcorn' particle pathways promise better lithium-ion batteries

Sandia National Laboratories researchers found that charging and discharging rates are limited by phase transformation initiation, contradicting previous assumptions. They used X-ray microscopy to study ultrathin slices of a commercial-grade battery, revealing a mosaic pathway of lithium-ion movement.

Metal-free catalyst outperforms platinum in fuel cell

Researchers have discovered an inexpensive and easily produced metal-free catalyst that performs better than platinum in oxygen-reduction reactions. The catalyst is more stable and tolerant of carbon monoxide poisoning and methanol crossover.

New all-solid sulfur-based battery outperforms lithium-ion technology

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have designed an all-solid lithium-sulfur battery with approximately four times the energy density of conventional lithium-ion technologies. The battery's use of abundant low-cost elemental sulfur addresses flammability concerns, while also increasing safety by eliminating liquid electrolytes.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Rice cultivates green batteries from plant

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that the madder plant's purpurin can be used as a natural cathode for lithium-ion batteries, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional batteries. The team has built a half-battery cell with a capacity of 90 milliamp hours per gram after 50 charge/discharge cycles.

Stanford-SLAC team uses X-ray imaging to observe running batteries in action

Researchers used high-power X-ray imaging to study a working lithium-sulfur battery, finding that sulfur particles largely remained intact during discharge. This challenges previous experiments that found sulfur was chemically transformed into Li2S-polysulfide sheets, which prevented the battery from operating.

Waste to watts: Improving microbial fuel cells

Researchers at Arizona State University improved microbial fuel cell efficiency by modifying cathode materials and adjusting pH levels. By enhancing hydroxide ion transport, they increased power densities and reduced losses in MFC performance.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Argonne researchers receive 4 R&D 100 awards

Four Argonne National Laboratory-developed technologies have been awarded R dashD 100 honors, including Globus Online for big data research and three battery materials for plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles.

Renewable battery cathode formed from waste

Scientists have designed a battery cathode made of lignin byproducts, which may lead to cheaper and safer electrodes. The new cathode is comparable to those that require precious metals or rare raw materials.

Nanopower: Avoiding electrolyte failure in nanoscale lithum batteries

Researchers at NIST and partners have demonstrated that the thickness of the electrolyte layer is crucial in determining the performance of nanoscale lithium batteries. The team found that below a threshold of 200 nanometers, electrons can cause a short circuit, leading to rapid discharge and breakdown of the electrolyte.

Rice scientists build battery in a nanowire

Researchers at Rice University have developed a hybrid energy storage device packed into a single nanowire, which shows promise as a rechargeable power source for nanoelectronics. The devices have good capacity but require further optimization to improve performance.

How batteries grow old

Ohio State University researchers conducted experiments to test commercially available Li-ion batteries thousands of times, finding irreversible changes at the nanoscale that lead to battery loss of charge. The study suggests that coarsening of electrode materials may be responsible for this loss.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

MIT virus battery could power cars, electronic devices

Researchers at MIT have successfully engineered viruses to build a cathode material, leading to the creation of a highly powerful and conductive lithium-ion battery. The virus-produced batteries demonstrate improved energy capacity and power performance compared to traditional rechargeable batteries.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

World's smallest radio fits in the palm of the hand...of an ant

A team of researchers crafted a working radio from a single carbon nanotube, performing four critical roles: antenna, tunable filter, amplifier, and demodulator. The tiny device could have applications in radio-controlled devices, cell phones, and other fields.

Two bacteria better than one in cellulose-fed fuel cell

A team of Penn State researchers successfully created a microbial fuel cell that consumes cellulose and produces electricity by pairing two types of bacteria. The fuel cell achieves a maximum power density of 150 milliwatts per square meter, which is lower than current designs but shows promise for future improvements.

Brush anode and tubular cathode scale up microbial fuel cells

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new microbial fuel cell system that uses brush anodes and tubular cathodes to produce more power from wastewater. The system, which uses naturally occurring bacteria, can clean water while generating electricity, reducing the need for energy consumption.

A boost for hydrogen fuel cell research

Researchers have identified a new variation of a platinum-nickel alloy that significantly increases oxygen-reduction catalysis on the cathode in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This breakthrough could eliminate existing limitations and make PEM fuel cell technology more viable for transportation applications.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Chemical screening system helps evaluate PEM fuel cell materials

Researchers are developing a new combinatorial toolkit to evaluate hundreds of potential PEM fuel cell materials in a single experiment. The goal is to double membrane durability and cut costs in half. This project involves creating low-cost, thermally stable membranes using a 'formulation approach' that combines different polymers.

Cheaper wastewater-fueled device produces more electricity

The Penn State team has developed a cheaper microbial fuel cell that produces more electricity from wastewater, with the potential to power small devices. The new design uses carbon paper instead of a proton exchange membrane, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Fuel-cell microbes' double duty: treat water, make energy

A single-chambered microbial fuel cell prototype has been developed to efficiently treat wastewater and generate electricity. The design reduces energy demands and creates a continuous flow-through system, making it a promising approach for affordable wastewater treatment.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

An 'AAAAAAAAA' battery? UF researchers make progress on tiny cell

Researchers have made significant progress on a new approach to batteries inspired by nanotechnology, which could power miniature devices and enhance portable electronics. The nano-battery approach seeks to replace traditional batteries with particles measured in billionths of a meter, potentially enhancing power storage and production.

MIT Team Creates New Battery Material

A team of MIT researchers has identified a new battery material that is cheap, light, and powerful. The breakthrough was achieved by predicting the composition of the material via computer models and testing it successfully, paving the way for the widespread use of electric cars.