Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
Scientists identified nanoscale defects as the cause of voltage fade in Lithium-rich NMC cathode materials. By combining experimental and theoretical approaches, researchers showed that heat treating the materials eliminated most defects, restoring original voltage.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a cheap and sustainable way to build solar cells using bacteria that convert light to energy. The cell generated a current stronger than any previously recorded and worked efficiently in dim light, offering a promising solution for regions with frequent overcast skies.
A study by the European Commission Joint Research Centre found that even with strong efforts, residual carbon emissions will reach over 1000 gigatons by the end of the century, exceeding the level needed to achieve the 1.5°C target. Accelerated energy efficiency improvements and electrification are necessary to limit warming.
The study finds that a radical shift towards renewable energy, energy efficiency, and measures to achieve SDGs is needed. Investments in low carbon energy will likely need to overtake fossil fuel investments as early as 2025.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a 'thin triple' super window design that is seven times more insulating than a single-glazed window. The new technology could save $10 billion annually in energy costs, outperforming insulated walls in winter.
Transforming daily activities like transportation, heating, and device use can limit global warming to 1.5°C. This can be achieved through innovations in energy efficiency and low-carbon development, enabling the meeting of UN Sustainable Development Goals while remaining within the climate target.
Researchers at Binghamton University are developing a micro-device using bio-photovoltaic technology to create self-sustaining wireless sensor networks. The project aims to harness energy from biological photosynthesis to improve wireless sensing and communication, with potential applications in various industries.
Top nitrogen researchers discuss potential pathways to achieve radical improvements in nitrogen fixation chemistry, driven by molecular-level understanding and discovery of new catalytic systems. They also present a clean and renewable light-driven process for converting nitrogen to ammonia, a primary component of fertilizer.
Researchers found that local population involvement and fair decision-making processes are critical to successful low-carbon energy transitions. This includes communication channels, information sharing, and addressing concerns of those affected by the change.
Researchers are working to develop commercially valuable products from plant materials, including chemicals, fuels and industrial materials. The goal is to make biobased products more cost-effective by using lignin and other plant components.
A team of scientists has responded to criticisms on the feasibility of 100% renewable electricity systems, finding that technical solutions exist to address concerns about grid stability and variability. The study reveals that these solutions are affordable, especially given the decreasing costs of wind and solar power.
A new study estimates Bitcoin's minimum current energy usage at 2.55 gigawatts, with predictions suggesting it could consume up to 7.7 gigawatts by the end of 2018. The network's growing electricity demand raises concerns about its sustainability and impact on climate goals.
Scientists have developed battery-free 'smart' toys using triboelectric nanogenerators that gather energy from mechanical vibrations. The devices, powered by squeezing or shaking traditional toys, can illuminate LED lights and may pave the way for self-powered medical sensors and wearable electronics.
Researchers propose a novel two-part system combining gas hydrates and membranes to separate impurities from natural gas. The integrated system aims to improve performance, reduce costs and diminish ecological side effects compared to benchmark technologies.
A research team developed a more effective variant of an enzyme that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in bottles. The improved enzyme shows promise in degrading not only PET but also a bio-based substitute, polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF).
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed an artificial leaf that can produce chemicals using sunlight, increasing efficiency by 20%. The 'mini-factory' uses a clever feedback system costing less than 50 euros to automatically adjust production levels.
Researchers recommend integrating smart-sensor-controlled air cleaning technologies with plants to optimize indoor air quality. Plants absorb carbon dioxide, increase humidity, and passively absorb pollutants, making them a potential solution for reducing indoor pollution and saving energy.
A University of Michigan study found that energy-efficient lighting availability and price vary with poverty levels. In high-poverty areas, the upfront cost of LED bulbs is twice as high as conventional incandescent bulbs, limiting access to energy efficiency.
Researchers at Swansea University's Energy Safety Research Institute have found a way to convert CO2 into ethylene, the basis of making plastics, at room temperature. This process has the potential to offset global carbon emissions and utilise half a billion tonnes of emitted CO2 annually.
The High Throughput Experimental Materials (HTEM) Database contains detailed properties and synthesis conditions of inorganic materials, accelerating material science advancement globally. NREL's large-scale database makes it easier for researchers without expensive equipment to explore new materials.
A new study by Terence Saldanha at Washington State University suggests that investing in green technologies can lead to increased energy conservation efforts and profits for companies. The research highlights the importance of timing and technology investments in achieving these benefits.
Researchers create reconfigurable material using liquid tubes, which can be customized into reaction vessels for various uses. The material can conform to surroundings and repeatedly change shape, opening doors for new chemical synthesis and electronic applications.
Researchers from NREL have pinpointed regions on enzymes that can be targeted via genetic engineering to break down cellulose faster. The team has gained a better understanding of the structure-activity relationships of these enzymes, which are crucial for industrial processes such as cellulosic ethanol production.
The US Department of Energy awards a $10.6 million grant to produce more biodiesel and biojet fuel from high-oil content crops like energycane and Miscanthus. The project aims to increase oil production by 15 times compared to soybeans, making it a more sustainable alternative.
Research into polymer solar cells has made significant advances, with increased numbers of publications and patents. However, the technology is unlikely to replace traditional silicon solar cells due to durability and efficiency issues.
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 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.
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.
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.