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New study highlights feasibility and optimization of ammonia-based power generation for carbon neutrality

A recent study evaluates the feasibility of ammonia-based power generation through techno-economic and carbon footprint analyses. The research reveals an impressive energy efficiency rate of 46.7% within the designed power generation process, with costs and greenhouse gas emissions considered.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 8, 2023

Benefits of electric stoves on health and environment in Ecuador

A nationwide program in Ecuador, which replaced gas stoves with electric induction stoves, led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and hospitalization rates. The study found that the program resulted in a 7% decline in liquid petroleum gas consumption and a 5% increase in residential electricity usage.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 15, 2023

Turning waste heat into energy

The team created a thermocell using a hydrogel that reacted to temperature changes, converting latent heat into electricity. This breakthrough supports the idea that various materials can be used for thermoelectric conversion, potentially reducing reliance on other energy sources and improving cooling systems.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2023

University of Illinois study finds turning food waste into bioenergy can become a profitable industry

A new study from the University of Illinois finds that converting food waste into energy and bioproducts can be profitable in Illinois. The study analyzes supply chain logistics and technological and economic factors to determine the feasibility of this solution.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2023

Redox-based transistor as a reservoir system for neuromorphic computing

Researchers develop an ionic device utilizing redox reactions to achieve a high number of reservoir states, enabling efficient complex nonlinear operations. The device demonstrated remarkable performance in solving second-order nonlinear dynamic equations and predicting future values with low mean square prediction error.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 3, 2023

New recipes for better solar fuel production

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.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2023

Dual-wavelength lasing: a new tool for steering High-harmonic generation

Researchers have developed a method to generate mid-infrared pulses with dual-wavelength spectral shaping, enabling flexible tunability in both temporal and spectral domains. This allows for enhanced High-Harmonic generation (HHG) control, opening new possibilities for applications such as electron dynamics and light-matter interaction.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2023

Absolute vs. relative efficiency: How efficient are blue LEDs, actually?

Researchers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that the absolute internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of InGaN-based blue LEDs can be as low as 27.5%, drastically lower than the standard assumption. The study's results suggest a new approach to measuring IQE, providing a more accurate picture of LED performance.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 26, 2023

Small-scale proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A challenging but promising path toward clean energy

Researchers from Tianjin University provide an insightful review of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for small-scale applications. The study highlights the unique attributes of PEMFCs, such as high energy densities and low pollution emissions, making them suitable for portable power generation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalEnergy Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 24, 2023

Signature of spin-triplet exciton condensations in LaCoO3 at ultrahigh magnetic fields up to 600 T

Scientists at the University of Electro-Communications successfully measured the effects of an ultra-high magnetic field on a transition metal oxide, discovering signs of a new magnetic superfluid state. This achievement has significant implications for spintronics technology and potential applications in quantum computing.

SourceThe University of Electro-Communications·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2023

Breaking the heat barrier of computing innovation

Researchers have developed a new technology that could revolutionize computing by moving beyond the limitations of traditional semiconductors. Coherent antiferromagnetic spintronics enables information to travel without generating significant heat, potentially leading to a hundredfold increase in processing speed and energy savings.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 9, 2023

Canadian e-waste has tripled, new study finds

A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that Canadian electronic waste (e-waste) has more than tripled in the last two decades, generating close to a million tons in 2020. E-waste generation per person has increased from 8.3 kg to 25.3 kg between 2000 and 2020.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateMay 8, 2023

New concept for lithium-air batteries

Researchers are working on a new concept for lithium-air batteries that could lead to significant improvements in energy storage capacity. A collaborative project in Germany aims to test new materials and components to enhance the stability of these battery cells. The goal is to overcome technical challenges such as unstable electrolyt...

Pusan National University researchers develop high-adsorption phosphates for radionuclide cesium ion capture

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed high-adsorption phosphates that can efficiently capture radionuclide cesium ions. These phosphates outperform standard adsorbents with record-high adsorption capacities, making them promising candidates for radioactive waste disposal.

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

The inequalities of low-carbon electricity

A UNIGE team analyzed the socio-economic impacts of 248 electricity transition scenarios on 296 European regions, finding that southern and south-eastern regions may be more vulnerable to negative effects. The benefits of a low-carbon electricity sector tend to concentrate in richer northern Europe.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateMay 1, 2023

Assessing the impact of going off-grid on transmission charge and energy market outcomes

A team of researchers found that prosumers, who produce their own electricity, can lower transmission charges when generating less energy. However, when producing a large amount of renewable energy, transmission charges increase. The study suggests levying a per-MWh tax on prosumer consumption to reduce the likelihood of death spirals.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalApplied Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 1, 2023

Creation of thinnest freestanding film with ferroelectric properties ever opens the door to smaller, more efficient devices

Researchers at Nagoya University have successfully synthesized barium titanate nanosheets with a thickness of 1.8 nanometers, the thinnest freestanding film ever created with ferroelectric properties. This achievement paves the way for the development of smaller and more efficient devices such as memories and capacitors.

SourceNagoya University·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateApr 20, 2023

Towards more efficient and eco-friendly thermoelectric oxides with hydrogen substitution

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have discovered a new approach to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials by substituting hydrogen for oxygen. This substitution reduces thermal conductivity while maintaining high electronic conductivity, leading to improved thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2023

Solar cells charging forward

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully created silicon-based photovoltaics at room temperature using a hybrid PEDOT:PSS/silicon heterojunction. This breakthrough technology offers improved production speed and cost, with power generation efficiency above 10%. The new process has the potential to facilitate large-scale diffus...

SourceKyoto University·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2023

Levies on Renewable Energy Profits could serve as a barrier to achieving Net Zero Targets in the UK

The UK government's introduction of a 45% levy on renewable energy profits may undermine investor confidence and deter low-carbon generators from developing in the country. This could potentially hinder the UK's ability to meet its 2050 emission targets, according to Dr Catherine Caine from the University of Exeter Law School.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironmental Law Review·DateApr 5, 2023

Probe where the protons go to develop better fuel cells

A team led by Professor Yoshihiro Yamazaki from Kyushu University discovered the chemical innerworkings of a perovskite-based electrolyte developed for solid oxide fuel cells. By combining synchrotron radiation analysis, large-scale simulations, machine learning, and thermogravimetric analysis, they found that protons are introduced at...

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Generating power with blood sugar

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has created an implantable fuel cell that uses excess blood sugar to generate electrical energy. The device powers artificial beta cells that produce insulin, effectively regulating blood glucose levels.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Storing information with spins: Creating new structured spin states with spatially structured polarized light

Scientists at Tokyo University of Science generate vector vortex light beams and imprint their structure on electron spins in a semiconductor solid, creating helical spatial structures. This breakthrough enables higher information storage capacity by exploiting effective magnetic fields alongside structured light beams.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2023