Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
A recent study reveals that many companies claim to apply sustainable sourcing practices, but these efforts often have a narrow focus, covering only a small portion of their supply chain. Despite this, companies are more likely to adopt at least one practice when faced with consumer and civil society pressure.
A Northwestern University team has created a new fuel cell with exceptional power densities and long-term stability at optimal temperatures. The discovery enhances the viability of incorporating fuel cells into a sustainable energy future by solving multiple problems simultaneously through electrode, electrolyte, and contact improvements.
A study found that Americans spent more time at home in 2012, saving 1,700 trillion BTU in energy consumption. This increase was driven by decreased travel and non-residential space use, resulting in a net 1.8% national energy savings. The research highlights the impact of advances in information technology on American lifestyle patterns.
Research by NREL found that up to 3% of PEVs on the road (7.5 million vehicles) does not significantly increase residential power demand. However, uncoordinated charging in clusters may overload distribution transformers, requiring infrastructure upgrades.
A new polymer binder allows for a doubling in lithium-sulfur battery capacity even after 100 charge cycles. Researchers designed the polymer to regulate ion transport processes and prevent sulfur degradation.
Microgrids in Alaska provide electricity for over 200 communities, generating more than 2 million hours of operating experience annually. Renewable energy sources reduce energy costs and improve resilience in the face of grid failures or sabotage.
Solar energy can expand without encroaching on farmland and conservation areas, researchers say. Alternative surfaces totaling over 1.5 million football fields in size can accommodate solar installations, generating more than 19,000 terawatt-hours of energy per year.
Researchers created a catalyst that can reduce pollutants at lower temperatures, relevant to advanced engines. The work uses smaller amounts of platinum and presents a new way to create more powerful catalysts.
Researchers use bacteria to convert leftover sugars and acids from Greek yogurt into molecules that can be used in biofuels or safe feedstock additives. The process produces valuable chemicals, including green antimicrobials and potential drop-in biofuels for jet fuel.
Researchers have modified lithium-ion batteries to include slits along the electrodes, potentially mitigating battery failure during automobile accidents. The prototype improved energy density and reduced housing material costs, offering a safer alternative for electric vehicles.
Researchers at NREL have created a novel catalytic process to produce renewable acrylonitrile using 3-hydroxypropionic acid, achieving unprecedented yields and eliminating production of hydrogen cyanide. The new method offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional petroleum-based production processes.
Three MIT Portugal PhD student projects have won the TecInnov Thales competition, focusing on energy, mobility and sustainability. Pedro Fraga's ASIST project aims to reduce inspection costs in critical infrastructures, while Diogo Henriques' indoor air quality monitoring system infers occupancy rates and comfort.
Researchers develop biomimetic drive elements inspired by pine cones, which can open and close without energy consumption. The goal is to optimize building energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Bruna Tavares, a MIT Portugal Program PhD student, has developed an innovative monitoring method that uses advanced sensors to better understand the conditions of the Portuguese power grid. The method aims to increase the quality of service and reduce failures in the electric network.
A new report highlights the need for sustainable solutions to address growing energy demands from emerging middle classes. The study finds that adoption rates of energy-efficient materials and technologies vary greatly across countries due to differences in climate, economic power, and public perception on climate change.
Two INRS professors, Shuhui Sun and Federico Rosei, received international recognition for their groundbreaking work on novel materials. Their research focuses on developing renewable energy technologies, with Professor Rosei's discoveries leading to improved solar panels.
UTSA has launched five innovative research initiatives to support clean energy and climate action, with funding totaling over $2 million from CPS Energy. The projects aim to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create smart buildings that can optimize energy consumption.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have successfully demonstrated the efficient conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and alcohols using artificial photosynthesis. The system achieved efficiencies rivaling natural counterparts, producing ethanol and ethylene with high energy conversion rates.
A new study investigates why US battery material startups are failing under current venture capital funding models. The authors draw inspiration from the pharmaceutical industry, providing recommendations for entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers, and policy-makers to improve commercialization chances.
The New European Wind Atlas aims to reduce overall uncertainties in determining wind conditions by improving competencies on atmospheric flow and data guidelines. The atlas should be able to predict wind conditions with accuracy better than three percent in uncomplicated regions and ten percent in complicated regions.
A discovery by two scientists at NREL could aid the development of next-generation semiconductor devices. They used ultraviolet light to modify the interface between two dissimilar semiconductors, creating a flawless interface and enabling the integration of different classes of semiconductors.
A new method converts tree leaves into porous carbon materials for use in high-tech electronics. The resulting supercapacitors exhibit remarkable electrical properties and potential applications in computer technology and hybrid vehicles.
Researchers found that optimally designed vertical axis wind turbines can financially compete with fossil-fuel based power plants in urban and suburban areas. The study suggests the potential to spearhead net-zero energy buildings or cities through efficient energy harvesting.
Developed by Swansea University and Rice University, the filter removes toxic heavy metals from water using carbon nanotubes immobilized in quartz fiber. The filters can be reused after washing with vinegar and are capable of treating large amounts of contaminated water.
Researchers developed an optimization model that improves solar power integration in residential photovoltaic systems through demand-response applications. The study found that DR applications with 100% PV penetration reduced energy consumption by 32%, network losses by 42%, and improved network utilization by 12%.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh analyzed naturally carbonated springs and found that oxygen's chemical fingerprint is influenced by CO2 gas, not heat from below. This discovery may help scientists narrow their search for sustainable geothermal energy sources.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that cellulosic biofuels can provide a climate benefit, but only if certain conditions are met, including using native perennial species on marginal lands and minimizing nitrogen fertilizer use.
The UT-ORNL led US-China Transdisciplinary Environmental Research Network will identify transdisciplinary research opportunities and collaborations for scientists in the US and China. The project aims to enhance sustainable use of natural resources, address global issues involving food, energy, and water systems.
A new computer model predicts optimal planting designs for specific environments, reducing yield losses up to 10% with double-row spacing. The model incorporates biochemical and biophysical processes to simulate 3D plant growth, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully identified and decelerated runaway electrons in a fusion reactor. This breakthrough could lead to better methods for controlling these high-energy electrons and paving the way for a functional fusion reactor.
A recent study by Seth Werfel at Stanford University found that people who report taking personal energy-saving actions are less likely to support government efforts to address environmental issues. This effect occurs regardless of political ideology and may have implications for other issues as well.
Researchers created new alloys by mixing materials with different atomic arrangements, revealing a predictive route for properties of other alloys. The breakthrough allows for the use of commercial thin film deposition methods to fabricate heterostructural alloys for real-world semiconductor applications.
A Dartmouth study reveals that Big Food companies have little control over the farmers who supply their raw materials, despite ambitious goals to reduce emissions and environmental degradation. The companies' reliance on commodity trading companies for staple ingredients further limits their knowledge and influence.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing up to $6 million in funding for sustainable energy research, focusing on perennial grasses and woody plants. This investment aims to develop more options for producing biofuels and biobased industrial products, creating jobs and rural prosperity.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a flexible and stretchable rechargeable battery that can power wearable sensors. The batteries use commercially available materials and are stable, allowing them to be worn for long periods.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new type of nanocatalyst that can significantly reduce the need for platinum in fuel cells. The nanoalloy allows for mass production, making it suitable for large-scale commercial breakthroughs and potentially replacing fossil fuels.
Researchers developed a high-throughput fabrication technique to print nanoscale imaging probes onto the tip of glass fibers, accelerating production from months to days. This enables the widespread adoption of nano-optical structures with potential applications in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy.
Replacing beef with insect-based foods could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and free up vast areas of land, according to a new study. The researchers found that eating more insects or imitation meat could halve global consumption of animal products, freeing up 1680 million hectares of land.
Researchers created a model to measure the impact of policy on commercial solar photovoltaic adoption in California, providing new insight into energy policy. The study found that government incentives have a greater impact on larger commercial customers and smaller businesses face unique hurdles when adopting solar PV systems.
The article highlights that climate change threatens the sustainability of the fossil fuel industry, with emissions accounting for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions. The industry faces increasing pressures due to carbon-based businesses and economies facing impediments to consumption, according to Jim Krane and Ritchie D. Priddy.
Researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology have discovered solitary perturbations (SP) structures that correlate with pedestal collapse in magnetized toroidal plasma. This finding provides new insights into the mechanisms behind reliable nuclear fusion.
The American Chemical Society's president will focus on critical areas of chemistry, including energy sustainability and LGBT student research, at the annual meeting. The event features a symposium on sustainable energy and another on LGBT graduate and postdoctoral students in chemistry.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a lab model of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) arrangements that can help design and implementation in the future. The study found that closely spaced VAWTs can generate up to 10 times more power per unit of land area than widely spaced HAWTs.
A new study suggests that liquid hydrogen may be a realistic option for future air travel, offering several advantages over traditional fuels. Liquid hydrogen is very light and has a lower boiling point, reducing the risk of accidents and making it easier to handle.
The study aims to assess how siloed municipal water agencies in Texas can transition to an Integrated Urban Water Management model. The Institute for Sustainable Energy will focus on integrated water utility financial modeling, providing recommendations for a viable path to IUWM in Texas.
Patrícia Baptista developed an assessment tool to improve urban mobility, benefiting vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with reduced mobility. The tool allows users to choose the most accessible and sustainable routes, minimizing risk events and environmental impacts.
Scientists from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University developed a turbo expander electric generator operating on high-pressure natural gas. The device converts part of the emitted energy into electrical power, generating sustainable electricity without additional fuel.
The Berkeley Tsinghua Joint Research Center on Energy and Climate Change has received a $5 million donation to support its scientific research and analysis on clean energy solutions for China. The gift also establishes the first endowed chair at Berkeley Lab, the Nat Simons Chair in China Energy Policy.
The University of Utah is part of a national coalition aiming to reduce embodied energy and decrease emissions in US manufacturing. The goal is to achieve a 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2027, saving billions in energy costs and creating new jobs for American workers.
A new crystal structure of organic-inorganic hybrid materials has been discovered, offering promise for the development of optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers. The material displays interesting optical properties, including high photo luminescence, making it a potential candidate for efficient light emission.
A study in China found that monthly income, the number of cars a family owns, sustainability, and vehicle comfort are the most influential factors behind buyers' decisions to purchase electric vehicles. The researchers also discovered that age, marital status, and city of residence play a role in consumers' decision-making process.
Advances in nanomaterials and nanoparticles may lead to effective treatments for infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer. Nanotechnology also holds promise for increasing energy efficiency, producing sustainable energy, and improving food safety.
The Quebec-Iceland agreement aims to stimulate the development of sustainable energy for communities and industrial projects in northern regions. The partnership combines expertise in geothermal electricity and hydroelectricity, leading to a focus on diversifying energy sources, energy recovery systems, and power grids.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab break major barrier in transistor size by creating a gate only 1-nanometer long, challenging the conventional 5-nanometer threshold. The achievement enables electrons to be controlled with smaller gate lengths using carbon nanotubes and molybdenum disulfide.
Researchers have designed a tiny, wireless data center that could be as small as a handheld device and reduce energy consumption. The 'data center on a chip' technology has the potential to run big data applications three times more efficiently than existing platforms.
Scientists at NREL found that perovskites could have great potential for optoelectronic applications beyond photovoltaics, including in quantum computing. The discovery was made by accident while investigating excitons in perovskites and demonstrates the optical Stark effect's promise as an ultrafast optical switch.
The Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy has awarded $2.7 million to 15 faculty seed grant recipients for groundbreaking research on clean energy. Researchers will develop novel technologies, including battery management systems, perovskite solar cells, smart windows, and thermoelectric technologies.
The NSF has awarded $55 million to 11 institutions to build research capacity on pressing issues like the brain, energy, and water. These collaborative projects foster innovation, train a STEM workforce, and develop new tools for neuroscience and sustainable systems.
The median installed price of solar in the US fell by 5-12% in 2015, with residential systems declining 5% and utility-scale projects falling 12%, according to two new studies from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The report attributes recent system price declines to reductions in hardware costs and 'solar soft' costs.
A new Concordia study reveals that climate change may be one of the biggest emerging threats to primates, with 419 species expected to experience 10% more warming than the global average. The researchers identified hotspots of primate vulnerability in Central America, the Amazon, and Southeast Asia.