Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
Scientists at NREL have fabricated a solar cell with an efficiency of nearly 50%, setting two world records for the highest solar conversion efficiency. The six-junction solar cell can be used in concentrator photovoltaics to reduce material usage and increase efficiency.
Researchers have created an all-organic proton battery with the ability to charge in seconds and retain capacity down to -24°C. The battery uses quinones as active material and an acidic aqueous solution as electrolyte, providing a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional batteries
Researchers have developed a graphene system that combines superconducting, insulating, and ferromagnetic properties, enabling new physics experiments and potential applications in quantum computing. The device was created using an ultrathin trilayer graphene structure with boron nitride layers.
Scientists have successfully manipulated individual atoms to exhibit collective behavior, a crucial step towards creating room-temperature superconductors. The study uses atomic manipulation to place cobalt atoms on copper surfaces in a perfectly ordered pattern, demonstrating the potential for higher temperatures.
Researchers have designed a new approach to power system operation that uses multiple microgrids to provide electricity to smaller areas, reducing the risk of power outages. By conserving energy and using locally available generating reserves, these islanded systems can keep the lights on for longer periods.
A research team, led by Caroline Krejci, is developing a framework to analyze food, energy, and water systems in the Des Moines area. The project aims to test the impact of different policies on farmer and consumer decisions, with the goal of promoting sustainable cities.
Researchers found that seasonal pumped hydropower storage has considerable potential for highly competitive energy storage costs, with estimated global energy storage potential of 17.3 PWh. The study also addresses environmental concerns related to traditional hydropower plants, suggesting a more sustainable solution for renewable ener...
A Swansea-led team will assess the impact of integrating renewable energy sources on the UK power grid, focusing on harmonic generation and transfer. The research aims to develop accurate models for devices and power systems, combining detailed converter models with simplified representations.
By combining pump-probe measurements with theoretical simulations, researchers can now observe the energy flow in acetone at a key energy window between closely related states. This synergy of experimental and theoretical methods provides new insights into light-matter interactions and molecular dynamics.
African charcoal production supports nomadic lifestyles, while its large-scale use contributes to deforestation. Despite efforts to regulate, charcoal remains a significant source of energy worldwide, with millions of metric tons produced annually.
Research shows that personal energy choices can be contagious, influenced by social norms, observation, word-of-mouth communication, and trusted community leaders. The study identifies factors that affect the impact of peer influence, including individual characteristics, relationship strength, learning processes, and behavior complexity.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new product that converts biomass-derived acetone into a cyclobutane, a high-energy-density fuel additive. This process reduces the need for hydrogen treatment and generates carbon dioxide, offering environmental benefits and improving US energy security.
Researchers have developed a coating that releases water vapor to dissipate heat from running devices, outperforming existing strategies in cooling efficiency. The coating uses metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and can absorb moisture from the air, providing effective cooling and quick recovery.
A new device uses specialized polymer electrodes to reduce arsenic in water by over 90% while using less energy than traditional methods. The process is powered by electrochemical reactions, making it suitable for field deployment in areas with limited electricity.
Researchers used Life Cycle Assessment to identify environmental hotspots in the production of lactic acid, a key bioplastic. The study found that heavy solvent usage and black energy consumption can negatively impact sustainability. Additionally, the development phase is crucial for identifying and addressing these hotspots.
Researchers at University of Leeds and Procter & Gamble found that shorter, cooler washes can significantly extend garment lifespan and reduce microfiber release by up to 52%. This reduces environmental impact, as microfibers contribute to ocean pollution.
The global low-carbon revolution faces a significant threat unless new governance mechanisms are established to ensure a sustainable supply of rare minerals and metals. The extraction and processing of these materials poses environmental and social risks, and their growing demand could lead to shortages and market instability.
A series of five-year tests measured solar panel performance, providing data for better error correction factors and choosing the most efficient panels. The results highlight a simple data aggregation method that yields reasonable results without bias.
Researchers at NREL have discovered a novel oxygenate molecule that can be produced from biomass, showing promise as a blend for diesel fuel. Initial results suggest improved ignition quality, reduced sooting, and fuel economy gains.
Scientists developed a two-scale coupled momentum balance method to simulate wind farm aerodynamics, accounting for the impact of turbine towers. This updated model helps understand the potential impact of wind turbine support structures on the wind farm blockage effect.
A McGill-led study found that people's reluctance to give up traditional stoves is linked to factors like age, education, and self-reported health. The study highlights the need for better understanding of household motivations to encourage a successful transition to clean energy.
A new policy brief highlights the risks of an uneven low-carbon energy transition and provides concrete proposals to prevent such risks. The authors recommend focusing on 'just transitions', accelerating technology transfer initiatives, and coordinating financial flows for energy transitions in developing countries.
Expert survey reveals conflict between renewable energy and bat protection, with most stakeholders agreeing that ecosystem sustainability is crucial. Possible solutions include accepting reduced wind turbine efficiency to compensate for shutdown times and prioritizing bat conservation over green electricity production.
A new analysis by ORNL and collaborators found that a single-step catalytic conversion process can produce blendstocks at $2/gigajoule and $1.44/GJ in the future, competitive with conventional jet fuel. The process uses a zeolite catalyst to directly convert wet ethanol into hydrocarbon chains.
A survey of stakeholders in the wind energy field reveals a consensus on prioritizing biodiversity protection over climate change concerns. Stakeholders agree that measures to make wind energy production ecologically sustainable should be taken, with most suggesting increased research and improved efficiency.
The American Chemical Society has identified 10 emerging start-ups revolutionizing the field of chemistry, from pharmaceuticals to green chemistry processes. These companies are addressing global issues such as microcontaminant removal, sustainable materials, and climate change.
The Dartmouth team aims to create sustainable technological solutions that will benefit communities worldwide, focusing on renewable energy and reducing dependence on diesel and fossil fuels. The four-year project is expected to improve living standards while promoting a more sustainable society.
The five-year grant, awarded by the USDA, aims to transform nutrition and water use in the poultry industry. Researchers will explore alternative feed proteins, such as microalgae, to improve production efficiency and quality while reducing competition with food sources.
China's annual carbon emissions growth declined significantly from 10% to 0.3% between 2002-2012 and 2012-2017, respectively. The slowdown is attributed to China's focus on high-quality development, improving energy efficiency, and shifting consumption patterns.
The study uses a unique processing technique to create a polymer film capacitor with record-high energy density, promising a step change in the field of dielectric capacitors. This innovation could enable efficient and low-cost electric energy storage systems for intermittent renewable energy sources.
Researchers from RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science have found that optimal binding energies can deviate from traditional calculations at high reaction rates. This discovery may lead to the development of novel catalysts using less expensive and environmentally friendly materials.
A new standard of reference for assessing solar forecast has been proposed, combining climatology and persistence methods to gauge forecaster performance. The combined approach provides a way to compare forecasters' skills and determine the best forecasting methods.
A Michigan State University study found that fundamentalist Christians are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors such as conserving water and energy. However, their willingness to sacrifice for the environment does not extend to addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.
A team of researchers led by Ohio University's Jason Trembly has received a $2 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop coal-based composite decking boards. The project aims to utilize coal in the manufacture of construction composite building materials, resulting in lower energy consumption and emissions.
Researchers at UTSA will develop a solar tracking system to optimize solar energy collection and regulate energy flow between indoor and outdoor environments. They will also work on a prototype of a clean energy technology for steam turbines using supercritical carbon dioxide, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce water usage.
A study by Aalto University and international partners predicts a 35-fold increase in global cooling demand by the end of the century, driven by rising temperatures and economic prosperity. The researchers estimate that solar power can meet this growing demand, with the potential to power entire countries like France or India.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed new technologies that combine light-gathering semiconductors and catalytic materials to produce clean fuel. The technologies use solar energy to drive chemical reactions capable of producing fuels, which store the sun's energy in chemical bonds.
The world faces an urgent need for a global agenda to manage sand, a key ingredient in modern life. With rapid urbanization and population growth driving high demand, the global sand extraction rate is projected to increase by 300% between 2000-2100.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an historically accurate solar energy model with global, regional and local level performance data made available via open license. The model will help in optimizing future sustainable energy systems by analyzing photovoltaic installations.
Researchers mapped radiative cooling resource maps to determine the best climates for large-scale deployment of passive cooling technologies. Locations with drier atmospheres and most frequent clear skies show great potential for reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.
A new analysis reveals that energy availability and benign climate conditions played a crucial role in shaping societal development over the past 10,000 years. The study found that abundant energy led to societal expansion and prosperity, while declining energy sources resulted in contraction and collapse.
The €2m High Performance Computing (HPC) project aims to optimise the sustainable exploitation of wind power. Annual energy production by wind turbines reached around 10.4 per cent in the EU, with Brazil experiencing over 10 per cent annual growth.
Researchers have integrated power grid considerations into the model of a newly planned net-zero energy district, enabling expansion of sustainable urban areas. The study found that centralized planning provides a means to proactively ensure reliable electricity service and mitigate daily and seasonal fluctuations.
Researchers have developed a method to produce diesel fuel and hydrogen by harnessing light energy and biomass-derived feedstocks. The process uses light energy to drive the valorization of downstream biomass products, resulting in high-light transformation efficiencies and higher rates of hydrogen production.
A new study found that humans can only burn calories at 2.5 times their resting metabolic rate before the body starts breaking down tissues to make up for the caloric deficit. This limit is linked to the digestive process and applies to various endurance activities, including marathons, ultra-marathons, and pregnancy.
Researchers have developed a strategy for using floating ocean devices to provide emergency electricity to affected areas, potentially reducing recovery time. The new approach uses variational calculus to optimize the deployment of multiple wave energy devices in a daisy chain configuration.
Engineers have released a freely available quality-controlled dataset from 1,287 residential installations across Australia to improve solar forecasting and grid management. The dataset provides six months' worth of measurements from three different cities, allowing for controlled analysis and spatial analysis.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered engineered electroactive microbes that can borrow electrons from solar or wind power to break down carbon dioxide molecules. These microbes can then produce biofuels like isobutanol or propanol, which could be used as an alternative energy source.
A collection of papers by industry and academia experts explores the implications of FERC Order 841 on energy storage in the Midwest. The analysis reveals the region's potential as a case study for bringing energy storage to scale, with benefits including increased capacity value of renewables and reduced variability.
DGIST and CNR-ITAE agreed on a memorandum of understanding to share energy research information and promote human resource exchanges. The two institutions will focus on sustainable energy applications and technology-intensive energy use.
Two papers by Michigan State University scientists introduce a new framework to analyze the complex interactions between global water and energy trade. The nexus approach reveals unexpected impacts, including provinces losing one resource while gaining another, and virtual energy transfers driving inequality.
A novel fluorescence probe technique reveals the distribution of active lithium on lithium metal anodes, enabling differentiation between dendrites and dead lithium. This technique aids in understanding battery malfunctions and optimizing new battery structures.
A new recycling process regenerates degraded cathodes from spent lithium-ion batteries, restoring their original capacity and cycle performance. The method uses eutectic lithium salts to dissolve degraded materials without adding pressure, reducing costs and safety concerns.
A University of Michigan study found that self-driving cars could partially or completely offset energy savings due to induced driving miles. The researchers estimated that a 38% reduction in perceived travel time cost would eliminate fuel savings, suggesting the possibility of 'backfire' and net increases in energy consumption.
A new study assesses the environmental sustainability impacts of flying cars and finds that they could outperform ground-based cars for longer trips. For trips over 100 kilometers, fully loaded VTOLs carrying a pilot and three passengers had lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles.
Patel's work has ushered in possibilities in sustainability and health, enabling widespread adoption of systems that monitor individual health with smartphones. His research closed the gap between science fiction and reality in ubiquitous computing for sustainability and health.
The Cool Coalition aims to inspire ambition and accelerate action on the transition to clean and efficient cooling. By addressing the growing demand for cooling, the coalition seeks to cut global warming, improve people's lives and make huge financial savings.
A novel refrigerator design using a loop thermosyphon has shown promising results in reducing energy consumption, with an estimated 30% saving. This sustainable energy technology could lead to a significant decrease in household energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
A new class of branched single chain surfactant has been reported to improve oil recovery by 72% in both low and high brine solutions. This efficient surfactant reduces surface and interfacial tension, enabling effective wettability alteration and aggregation structure maintenance under extreme conditions.
Researchers discovered how naturally occurring microbes like Rhodopseudomonas palustris use electrons from conductive substances to fix carbon dioxide. The process is connected to the microbe's ability to store and discharge electrons, similar to a rechargeable battery.