Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
Researchers at Tohoku University have engineered a novel device combining piezoelectric composites with carbon fibers, transforming kinetic energy into electricity for efficient motion sensing. The new device has been tested to withstand over 1000 stretches and surpasses other materials in terms of energy output density.
Researchers have developed a solid electrolyte that allows for efficient hydride ion conduction at room temperature, enabling the creation of safer, more efficient hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells. This breakthrough provides material design guidelines for the development of next-generation energy storage solutions.
A new study found that fossil fuel companies rarely respond to online discussions about extreme weather, but instead engage with sustainability initiatives and corporate efforts. Climate misinformation can fuel denialism and delay action, emphasizing the need for understanding how it's designed and spread.
Researchers engineered bacteria to produce zeaxanthin and PDC simultaneously from underutilized plant fiber, offering a promising solution for sustainable biofuels. The discovery could lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved economics in the production process.
Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered transformative nanomaterials with potential for clean energy production and building materials on Mars. Using sustainable production methods, they turned a waste product into nanobelts that could provide clean energy and sustainable electronics.
Researchers at the University of Seville have developed a bioinspired PEM fuel cell design that improves the distribution of liquid water inside these batteries. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and durability of PEM fuel cells, leading to more efficient and sustainable energy systems.
The 15th annual horizon scan highlights 15 key conservation issues, including declining invertebrate populations and altering marine ecosystems. The study emphasizes the need for continued innovation in sustainable energy technologies to address climate change.
EtaVolt's innovative technology rejuvenates old solar cells with intense sunlight, restoring performance and protecting against light and heat damage. This game-changing solution extends the operational lifespan of solar panels, reducing energy loss and e-waste.
A tiny bacterium, Vibrio natriegens, has been genetically engineered to increase its ability to extract rare earth elements through biosorption, a sustainable method. This breakthrough could improve the efficiency of processing and bring rare earth element mining back to domestic productivity.
A new method has been developed to produce green hydrogen more efficiently and cheaply, using ruthenium particles and a solar-powered electrolytic system. The technology could reduce the costs of green hydrogen production on an industrial scale.
Recent advancements in biotechnology have led to the development of artificial biological systems that can utilize CO2 as a feedstock, producing valuable chemicals and fuels. These systems, including autotrophic organisms, tandem enzymatic systems, and chemo-bio hybrid systems, offer promising solutions for sustainable energy production.
Scientists at Linköping University have created stable and environmentally friendly organic solar cells by incorporating untreated kraft lignin into the electron transport layer. This innovation improves the overall efficiency and reliability of organic solar cells, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
A research team led by Michele Galizia aims to create polymer membranes that can efficiently separate gases, reducing energy consumption. The project has the potential to apply in various fields such as fossil fuels, healthcare, and the airline industry.
The global EV battery industry is projected to exceed 600 MtCO2eq in emissions by 2050, mainly due to energy-intensive mining and refining processes. Shifting to less CO2-intensive battery chemistries like LFP could reduce emissions by 20%.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have discovered a new strategy to enhance the conductivity and stability of perovskite-type proton conductors, overcoming the 'Norby gap' issue. Donor doping into materials with disordered intrinsic oxygen vacancies enables high proton conduction at intermediate and low temperatures.
A team of researchers has made a significant leap forward in molecular chemistry by modifying azaarenes, unique molecular puzzle pieces crucial to many everyday products. Using photoenzymatic systems, they have discovered novel chemical reactions that were previously thought to be out of reach.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science developed nanostructured hard carbon electrodes using inorganic zinc-based compounds, which deliver unprecedented performance and significantly increase the capacity of sodium- and potassium-ion batteries. The new electrodes improve energy density by 1.6 times compared to existing technologies.
Researchers have developed a new self-assembling nanosheet that can create functional and sustainable nanomaterials for various applications. The material is recyclable and can extend the shelf life of consumer products, enabling a sustainable manufacturing approach.
Rapid adoption of zero-emission vehicles is essential alongside a clean electric grid transition. Managing travel demand growth reduces the need for clean electricity supply. The study explores changes in technology, behavior, and policies to envision sustainable transportation systems.
The Beckman Institute's new Electrolab robot automates electrochemical experiments and data analysis, reducing manual effort and time for researchers. The instrument can explore alternative power sources and analyze chemical reactions to combat climate change.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have developed organic solar cells with record efficiencies and discovered a link between molecular structure and outdoor stability. The study found that fluorine-bearing functional end groups and long hydrocarbon side-chains enhance outdoor stability, protecting the cells...
Researchers from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University propose the Cool Copper Collider, a next-generation accelerator that could probe elementary particle physics at higher energy scales. The proposal aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 50% through improved design and materials.
Researchers have developed a novel chloride-based solid electrolyte with exceptional ionic conductivity, addressing material limitations that hindered previous attempts. This breakthrough is expected to pave the way for commercialization of solid-state batteries, promising improved affordability and safety.
Researchers will investigate high-entropy materials to create more sustainable and durable catalysts. The goal is to improve the efficiency of electrocatalysis, paving the way for a new generation of catalysts and reducing the reliance on rare and expensive materials.
Researchers developed a fast-charging hybrid battery system that combines electrochemical generation of formic acid with a microbial fuel cell, enabling efficient energy storage. The system produced enough current for 25 hours of discharge and demonstrated potential applications in monitoring water toxicity.
The Beckman Institute's DROPLETS project uses microdroplets to catalyze electrochemical reactions, producing clean hydrogen and sequestering carbon dioxide. The project aims to lay out a foundation for a sustainable clean energy future.
A team of researchers from McGill University, UCLA, and Princeton has found an inexpensive, sustainable way to cool buildings in hot climates using radiative cooling materials. They achieved temperatures several degrees below the ambient temperature, without compromising healthy ventilation air changes.
A HKU engineering team has achieved a major breakthrough in battery technology by developing a high-performance quasi-solid-state magnesium-ion (Mg-ion) battery. The new design offers a sustainable, safe, and high-energy-density alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a technology to convert wastewater sludge into potent oil that can replace fossil fuels in planes, ships, and trucks. The hydrothermal liquefaction process produces energy-rich bio crude oil with minimal waste and pollutants.
The HY4RES project aims to develop hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and pumped storage hydropower to provide energy self-sufficiency for communities. Researchers will conduct a life cycle sustainability assessment of the technologies' impacts on the Atlantic Area.
Researchers from NTU Singapore and ETH Zurich have developed a clean and sustainable material to build zero-waste fuel cells using chicken feathers. The membrane, made from protein amyloid fibrils, conducts protons and reduces carbon emissions from burning unwanted chicken feathers.
The CityU innovation has dramatically enhanced the thermal robustness of perovskite solar cells, retaining over 90% of efficiency even under high temperatures. This breakthrough could significantly broaden the utilisation of these cells and contribute substantially to combating the global climate crisis.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new, environmentally friendly fuel cell membrane made from chicken feathers. The keratin-based membrane replaces toxic substances and reduces carbon emissions. This breakthrough could enable the widespread adoption of hydrogen power as a sustainable energy source.
A novel method transforms wastewater pollutants into semiconductor biohybrids directly in the wastewater environment, producing valuable chemicals like 2,3-butanediol. The process exhibits scalability and a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional methods, making it an eco-friendly approach to chemical manufacturing.
The Pacific Northwest is launching a hydrogen energy hub with a $7 billion investment from the Department of Energy. PNNL's expertise will support the development of clean hydrogen production and integration with renewable energy sources in Washington, Oregon, and Montana.
Researchers at UTSA have been awarded a grant to develop a new technology that converts carbon dioxide into a raw material for producing chemical products. The project has the potential to create a productive area of catalysis research and reduce greenhouse emissions.
The author estimates that AI-related electricity consumption could increase by 85-134 TWh annually by 2027, comparable to the annual electricity consumption of countries like the Netherlands and Sweden. The growth highlights the need for mindful AI adoption to minimize energy-intensive applications.
A new study by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Kuljeet Singh analyzed the design and energy characteristics of various neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities to power outages. The researchers found that thoughtful design can reduce a neighborhood's energy vulnerability during disruptions, and they recommend modifications to shelter...
Researchers have developed a new semiconducting material called multielement ink that can be processed at low temperatures, paving the way for more sustainable semiconductor industry. The breakthrough enables faster and lower-energy production of semiconductors, which could significantly reduce carbon emissions.
A new strategy optimizes optical and electrical characteristics of thin c-Si solar cells, improving conversion efficiency by 28% compared to industrial thick counterparts. The proposed design uses a layer transfer method and metal nanofilms for enhanced light absorption and surface passivation.
A study published by the University of Birmingham found that people living in Gaza with intermittent electricity supplies experienced higher levels of anxiety and depression, while those with reliable access had improved wellbeing. The researchers emphasized the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions to address this crisis.
A new study analyzes challenges in sustainably meeting different hydrogen demand scenarios on a country-by-country basis. The research finds that less than half of projected 2050 demand for hydrogen fuel could be produced locally using wind or solar power due to land and water scarcity.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a record-thin MOF film that performs exceptional hydrogen-nitrogen separation. The breakthrough uses an innovative crystallization method to create uniform two-dimensional films with unprecedented thickness.
A team of researchers has developed a color-shifting coating inspired by the Namaqua chameleon's ability to regulate its body temperature. The coating can keep buildings cool in summer or warm in winter without additional energy, saving considerable amounts of energy for regions with multiple seasons.
Phil Ansell reviewed over 300 research projects to assess sustainable aviation fuels, finding that multiple energy carriers have potential. Bio jet fuel pathways, power-to-liquid pathways for synthetic kerosene, liquid hydrogen, and battery electric systems were among the options examined.
A Japanese research team used advanced analytical techniques to study the electrochemical phenomena in aqueous potassium-ion batteries. They found that solid-electrolyte interphases form a passivating layer, suppressing hydrogen evolution and improving stability.
A novel method to obtain acetone has been developed by a scientific collaboration between researchers in Brazil and Germany, using only light and photoactive iron chloride. The process is direct, safer, and cheaper than traditional methods, with fewer stages and no high temperatures or flammable intermediaries.
The UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of maritime activity in ports and at sea. The hub will carry out innovative research in sustainable marine fuels and their safe use, low-carbon power and propulsion systems for shipping.
A recent study by KIT researchers found that geothermal power plants in the Upper Rhine Valley and Northern German Basin could cover between 2 and 12 percent of Germany’s annual lithium demand. The model developed for the study describes lithium extraction in the Upper Rhine Valley, with parameters transferable to other joint systems.
Researchers at EPFL engineered E. coli bacteria to exhibit enhanced extracellular electron transfer, producing electricity while metabolizing organic substrates. The bioengineered E. coli surpassed previous approaches, generating three times more electrical current in various environments, including wastewater from a brewery.
Researchers have created a highly efficient and stable photoelectrode for water splitting using organic semiconductors. The new design overcomes the limitations of traditional inorganic semiconductor-based photoelectrodes, resulting in enhanced hydrogen production efficiency.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have developed a catalyst support based on titanium dioxide powder to facilitate effective CO2 reduction. The study demonstrated increased hydrogen production and enhanced catalytic performance with silver nanoparticles loaded onto the TiO2 surface.
Scientists have engineered trees to be easier to disassemble into simpler building blocks using callose-enriched wood. This approach increases the efficiency of converting woody plant biomass to fuel and other useful products.
Researchers develop a simple, low-cost molybdenum complex for photocatalysis and photon upconversion, overcoming the limitations of expensive precious metal complexes. The complex shows excellent photostability and outperforms traditional compounds in some cases.
Mainz University and Evonik researchers have created an environmentally friendly process to generate dicarboxylic acids, a crucial chemical building block for polyamides. The new technique uses only oxygen, electricity, and hydrocarbon compounds, eliminating heavy metals and strong acids, and resulting in no nitrogen oxide emissions.
A team of researchers has designed novel systems to capture water vapour in the air and turn it into liquid. They are inspired by nature, mimicking the efficiency of spider webs and desert beetles, to create inexpensive, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly freshwater generation systems.
Scientists developed a novel technique to evaluate carbon particle dispersion in battery electrode slurries, enabling enhanced battery electrodes. The study's results show that measuring viscosity and electrochemical impedance can provide insights into dispersibility.
A new study by Edith Cowan University has discovered zinc-air batteries as a superior alternative to lithium-ion, offering low costs, environmental benefits, and high theoretical energy density. The breakthrough redesigns the batteries using natural resources like zinc from Australia and air, enhancing their viability for sustainable e...
Researchers found no effect of LEED certification on average energy consumption in federal buildings, with energy use just one of six attributes scored under the program. Tradeoffs between attributes, such as water scores and sensors, accounted for the lack of energy savings.
A paper published in Nature Energy reveals a promising breakthrough in green energy: an electrolyzer device capable of converting carbon dioxide into propane. The device, developed by Illinois Tech assistant professor Mohammad Asadi, is scalable and economically viable.