Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed an eco-friendly method to precisely mix fluorine into olefins using natural enzymes and light, offering a more efficient strategy for creating high-value chemicals with potential applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable fuels and more.
Researchers create fast and sustainable method to produce hydrogen gas using aluminum, saltwater, and coffee grounds. They find that adding caffeine speeds up the reaction, producing hydrogen in just five minutes.
The MEASURES project in Ghana provides insights into the impact of informal economy, climate migration, and rising temperatures on energy system planning. The researchers developed an energy system model for Accra, which yielded cost-, carbon- and resilience-optimized energy system capacity and operational planning decisions.
The study analyzed four biofuels crops and found that each feedstock performed best in a specific region of the rainfed United States. The researchers identified miscanthus and switchgrass as the most environmentally friendly options, while energy sorghum was the cheapest to produce.
A team of researchers led by Professor Beom-Kyeong Park has made a breakthrough in enhancing solid oxide fuel cell efficiency with a rapid PrOx coating method. The study demonstrated significant enhancements in SOFC electrode performance, reducing polarization resistance and boosting peak power density.
Researchers have developed low-cost micro-sized silicon anodes from recycled photovoltaic waste using a novel electrolyte design. The new anodes exhibit remarkable electrochemical stability, maintaining an average coulombic efficiency of 99.94% after 200 cycles. This breakthrough addresses the major challenges facing micro-sized silico...
The study uses machine learning framework to estimate global rooftop area growth, projecting a 20-52% increase by 2050. Rooftop solar power holds significant potential for emerging economies, driving sustainable development and prosperity.
A recent study from the University of Illinois suggests that Illinois' clean energy transition has led to a lack of equity in the distribution of renewable power benefits. The state prioritized historically marginalized communities but failed to consider the burdens on rural, white communities, resulting in perceived injustices and opp...
New studies from Chalmers University of Technology suggest that hydrogen-powered aircraft could meet the needs of 97% of intra-Nordic flights and 58% of Nordic passenger volume by 2045. A novel heat exchanger technology has shown promise in reducing fuel consumption by almost eight percent.
The new COMET centre Battery4Life aims to enhance the safety, lifespan, and eco-friendliness of batteries. By leveraging artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art test facilities, researchers will develop methods for assessing used battery safety and exploring sustainable reuse options.
Researchers propose two strategies to reduce energy loss and increase efficiency: adjusting irrigation schedules to daytime hours when solar energy is produced, and selling surplus energy. These approaches aim to create a sustainable irrigation model that combines environmental protection with economic profitability.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a simple mechanism for optimal light-use efficiency of photosynthesis inspired by giant clams. This discovery could lead to the development of more efficient solar cells and renewable energy systems.
Researchers found that planting energy crops on existing agricultural land in Central Europe and China minimizes harm to biodiversity. This approach allows for restoration of natural habitats, maximizing biodiversity benefits.
Researchers developed a one-dimensional model to predict soil temperatures around energy piles in Southeast Asia. They found that temperature distribution remained stable despite changes in soil thermal conductivity, indicating GSHP systems can be designed flexibly.
Researchers found raw material demand for electric vehicles will nearly double by 2050 if current trends continue. Implementing circular economy strategies such as ride-sharing, recycling, and solid-state batteries can halve resource demand or maintain it at 2015 levels.
Researchers have developed a novel perovskite-based anode material with mixed hole–proton conduction, achieving high efficiency at low and medium temperatures. The breakthrough could pave the way for important technological advancements in energy technologies.
The study introduces a new method for selectively oxidizing alcohols into aldehydes without secondary reactions, using gold-coated ball mills. This approach reduces the formation of unwanted byproducts and minimizes environmental impact, making it more sustainable and cost-effective.
Leading academics recommend extending Sustainable Development Goals to 2050, addressing climate and biodiversity targets, and incorporating AI impact, community input, and inclusive consultations. They also suggest reforming global finance architecture and framing goals as missions with clear targets.
Griffith University researchers have developed a novel eco-friendly quantum material that converts methanol into ethylene glycol efficiently under mild conditions. This process utilizes solar-driven photocatalysis, minimizing waste and maximizing renewable energy use.
Researchers developed a crystalline carbon nitride membrane that outperforms traditional polymer membranes in separating lithium ions from magnesium ions in salt-lake brine. The innovative design mimics biological ion channels, achieving an impressive selectivity ratio of 1,708 for highly dilute lithium ions.
The article explores how AI can be applied to the electric power and energy industry, demonstrating its potential as a valuable technology for asset management. Machine learning techniques are showcased as a solution to improve efficient and sustainable energy networks.
The Goethe SDG Contest recognized three award-winning start-up teams: HOPES Energy, MySympto, and CERES FieldCheck. These innovative projects leverage AI and sustainable products to address pressing global challenges, including energy storage, healthcare efficiency, and environmental conservation.
Concordia researchers develop micro photosynthetic power cells that harness algae's photosynthesis to generate electricity. The system can power low- and ultra-low power devices like IoT sensors, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing only water as a byproduct.
Researchers at WVU are exploring the potential of solar panels to generate energy on grazing lands, diversifying farmers' income streams and promoting more sustainable practices. The study aims to understand how dual-use solar systems impact soil health and animal performance.
A new Pt-Co@NCS catalyst achieves exceptional performance in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction, overcoming slow water dissociation. The unique porous structure and nitrogen-rich surface enhance hydrophilicity and catalytic interaction, promoting efficient water dissociation.
Erin Webb, lead at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, elected Fellow of ASABE for significant contributions to sustainable agricultural and forest resource use. Her research focuses on biomass supply chain and logistics, circular agriculture, and renewable energy.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin discover that eggshell waste can effectively absorb and separate rare earth elements from water, offering a new environmentally friendly method for their extraction. The innovative approach could help meet growing demand for rare earth elements while reducing environmental harm.
A study from IIASA researchers highlights the potential of demand-side measures to reduce energy and resource consumption without restricting fossil fuel use. These strategies include improving resource efficiency, promoting shared mobility, reusing materials, and thermal refurbishment of buildings.
Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have developed a high-resolution neutronics model that increases <sup> 238 </sup> Pu yield by close to 20% in high-flux reactors, reducing costs. The refined production process supports deep-space exploration and life-saving medical devices.
University of Illinois Chicago engineers have designed a new method to make hydrogen gas from water using only solar power and agricultural waste, reducing the energy needed to extract hydrogen from water by 600%. This process creates new opportunities for sustainable, climate-friendly chemical production.
A global review of wind energy found that offshore turbines can prevent meltdowns like Fukushima and are more resilient to earthquakes. The study also shows wind power is cheaper than new nuclear power stations, with a lifetime cost of £44/MWh compared to £92.50/MWh for Hinkley Point C.
Researchers found that plants produce electric potential in sync with their daily cycles, which can be harnessed as a renewable energy source. The study discovered that the electric streaming potential increases with decreased ion concentration and increased pH.
Researchers at HKUST have developed a sustainable and controllable strategy to manipulate interfacial heat transfer, enhancing the performance of eco-friendly cooling in various applications. By leveraging a water adsorption process, they increased thermal energy transfer across interfaces by up to 7.1 times.
Researchers have developed a machine learning model to identify high-performance multicomponent metal oxide electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. The study found that certain features, such as itinerant electrons and configuration entropy, are critical for achieving high current density in ORR.
A new resource has been created to provide a deeper understanding of the bioenergy crop sorghum and its potential for genetic modification. The study identified gene expression patterns in sorghum stem cells, which can help researchers design cell-type specific promoters for targeted gene expression.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking data-driven model to predict dehydrogenation barriers of magnesium hydride, a promising material for solid-state hydrogen storage. The model offers a faster, more efficient way to assess the performance of hydrogen storage materials, bridging the knowledge gap left by experimental techniques.
Dr. Hemali Rathnayake has developed a cost-effective and efficient lithium refining process for converting lithium into battery-grade lithium carbonate. The grant funding will support her ongoing research to boost North Carolina's sustainable domestic supply chain for lithium-based products.
A new study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand found that wind farms can offset their carbon emissions within two years. The research used data from a Harapaki onshore wind farm in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, and found that the turbine can generate all the energy consumed across its life-cycle within six months.
A novel multifunctional catalyst has been developed to convert methane into valuable hydrocarbons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The catalyst's spatial distribution of Cu and acid sites determines the final products, with uniform distribution leading to stable and efficient methanol production.
Researchers at University of Waterloo developed an autonomous AI platform to inspect buildings, detecting major heat loss regions with high accuracy. The system aims to lead to millions in energy savings through faster analysis and reduced human error.
Researchers at Linköping University developed a new method to dope organic semiconductors using air as a dopant, enhancing conductivity and modifying semiconductor properties. The process involves dipping the material in a salt solution and illuminating it with light, resulting in a p-doped conductive plastic.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a battery based on zinc and lignin that can be used over 8000 times, retaining its charge for approximately one week. The battery is stable and easily recyclable, making it a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
A new device uses small amounts of light to process information, offering significant energy improvements over conventional optical switches. This technology could enable quantum communications, providing a promising alternative for data security against rising cyberattacks.
Scientists have developed a method to transform chicken fat into carbon-based electrodes for supercapacitors, which store energy and power LED lights. The new technology has shown good capacitance, durability, high energy, and power density, highlighting the potential of using food waste as a carbon source in green energy.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new catalyst that reduces the amount of iridium required for hydrogen production, achieving 82% efficiency and sustaining production for over 4 months. The breakthrough could revolutionize ecologically friendly hydrogen production and pave the way for a carbon-neutral energy economy.
Researchers from Utrecht University introduce a vision for a completely fossil-free refinery, which would convert CO2, plastic, and biomass waste into useful raw materials. The refinery would require massive amounts of renewable energy and significant investments, but could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
Scientists used advanced computing tools to engineer Pseudomonas putida for isoprenol production, achieving the highest reported yield. The research paves the way for a sustainable bioproduction process for jet fuel by optimizing isoprenol production in P. putida.
A recent study found that Mozambique's Maniamba Basin has a high total organic carbon content, indicating its potential for generating hydrocarbons. The research identified mixed kerogen types, primarily of terrestrial origin, suggesting the basin's rocks were once lush with vegetation typical of Gondwana ecosystem.
Decarbonizing China's Southern Power Grid could lead to ecological and sociological trade-offs, including reducing cropland in favor of solar and wind power, impacting river basins like the Salween and Mekong. Building dams for hydropower production would also negatively affect ecosystems and fisheries.
A research team at Waseda University has discovered a family of poly(thiourea)s (PTUs) with exceptional optical properties, including transparency over 92% and a refractive index of 1.81. The polymers can be easily degraded into simpler molecules, making them suitable for sustainable optoelectronic applications.
Researchers at RIKEN have improved the stability of a green hydrogen production process by using a custom-made catalyst, increasing its lifetime by almost 4,000 times. The breakthrough uses earth-abundant materials, making it more sustainable and potentially cost-effective for widespread industrial use.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed low-cost light-harvesting semiconductors that power devices for converting water into clean hydrogen fuel using sunlight. By growing copper oxide crystals in a specific orientation, they improved performance by an order of magnitude and increased stability.
Researchers developed a semipermeable membrane that harnesses osmotic energy from salt gradients, achieving higher power density and stable performance underwater. The design expands the range of ecological materials for RED membranes, making them more feasible for real-world use.
Researchers developed Au-BiFeO3 nanocrystals with improved photocatalytic activity, achieving 98% methylene blue degradation efficiency. The nanoparticles' unique localized surface plasmon resonance and electron transfer mechanisms enhance their recyclability and stability.
Researchers have discovered a greener way to produce ammonia, essential for fertilizers, by developing a new catalyst that works stably at relatively low temperatures. This breakthrough reduces the amount of energy needed to synthesize ammonia, making it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels.
A new study reveals that Global North countries' outsourcing of energy-intensive industrial processes to the Global South leads to greater carbon emissions and environmental damage. The researchers urge both regions to work together to address this issue, promoting energy equity and sustainability.
Researchers from Lehigh University have developed a material that promises over 190% quantum efficiency in solar cells, exceeding the theoretical limit for silicon-based materials. The material's 'intermediate band states' enable efficient absorption of sunlight and production of charge carriers.
Researchers demonstrate how a simple mirror design can amplify radiative cooling processes for buildings. The mirror structure effectively guides thermal radiation towards the most transmissive portion of the atmosphere, increasing cooling power.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a genetic learning algorithm to identify optimal pitch profiles for VAWT blades, increasing turbine efficiency by 200% and reducing vibrations by 77%. This innovation addresses the engineering problem of air flow control and has the potential to bring efficient VAWT technology to maturity.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between universities' sustainability performance and local innovation, while showing little connection to community environmental sustainability. The research suggests universities contribute to economic development, but struggle to drive broader sustainable transformations.