Articles tagged with Cellular Energy
Perovskite solar cells could generate electricity more efficiently by harnessing the kinetic energy of electrons moving at high speeds. The study found that electrons retain their highest levels of energy for up to 10 quadrillionths of a second, limiting the time frame for extraction.
Researchers from RIKEN and University of Tokyo created ultra-thin photovoltaic devices coated with stretchable and waterproof films. The new device has shown strong energy efficiency, resistance to water, and durability under compression, opening the way for wearable solar cells.
Researchers studied electron beam interactions with furfural gas to establish benchmark evaluation of low-energy electron scattering cross-sections and energy loss estimates. The analysis provided valuable insights into the energy characteristics of furfural biogas, a promising candidate for alternative biofuels.
A new mathematical model describes how polarons can be displaced in a directed way with minimum energy loss in linear peptide chains, accounting for the energy transport mechanism in proteins. The model predicts that a constant electric field can initiate and sustain polaron motion along polypeptide chains.
Scientists from TU Delft and colleagues show that condensin, a protein involved in packing DNA into chromosomes, has motor function. This discovery supports the 'loop-extrusion' model of chromosome packing, suggesting that condensin pulls DNA inwards to create loops.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a water-based lithium-ion battery that reaches 4.0 volts and achieves high energy density while maintaining safety. The new gel polymer electrolyte coating prevents water from decomposing and forms a stable interphase, protecting the anode and preventing fires or explosions.
Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the University of Maryland have developed a water-salt solution-based lithium-ion battery that reaches 4.0 volts without the fire risks associated with non-aqueous batteries. The new technology provides identical energy density as SOA Li-ion batteries while maintaining safety.
Researchers at University of Utah Health found that boosting levels of acylcarnitines, a new lipid source for brown fat, restores youthful ability to adapt to cold in older mice. This discovery could lead to a therapy for cold sensitivity and potentially aid in obesity prevention.
Engineers at UC San Diego developed stretchable fuel cells that extract energy from sweat to power electronics. The biofuel cells generate 10 times more power per surface area than existing wearable biofuel cells.
A new study finds that quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) inhibit mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, and estrogenic functions. This raises concern about their impact on human health and potential reproductive harm.
A UCI-led study found that a low-calorie diet helps maintain efficient energy processing in cells, which is linked to younger aging. The researchers also discovered that calorie restriction can rejuvenate the biological clock and prevent tissue aging in stem cells.
The researchers created prototypes of conductive glass with metal ions that spread out over the surface, blocking light in response to electrical current. This technology has the potential to transform homes, businesses, cars, and more by reducing energy consumption and costs.
Researchers developed microbot origami that can capture and transport single cells using magnetic energy. The system mimics nature and has potential applications in cell characterization tools and artificial muscles.
Researchers from KIT have developed sunglasses with colored, semitransparent solar cells that supply a microprocessor and two displays with electric power. The solar cell lenses are thin and lightweight, generating enough power to operate devices like hearing aids or step counters in indoor environments.
A team of researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology is exploring the use of nanowires and new materials to improve solar cell technology. By maximizing the amount of solar spectrum that can be absorbed, they aim to increase the efficiency of solar power conversion and make it more cost-effective for consumer markets.
Researchers at UNIST have achieved a new world record efficiency performance of 22.1% in small cells and 19.7 percent in 1-square-centimeter cells using perovskite solar cells. The breakthrough is made possible by careful control of growth conditions to fix defects that reduce photoelectric efficiency.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism by which AMPK senses glucose levels, enabling the switch to alternative fuels. This breakthrough has significant potential for understanding and treating diabetes.
Researchers developed self-disposing supramolecular materials with tunable lifetimes, mimicking biological processes. These materials autonomously degrade after added energy is exhausted, enabling reusable cycles and diverse applications such as drug delivery and tissue stabilization.
A new study shows that rooftop concentrating photovoltaics can produce over 50% more energy than standard silicon solar cells, reaching 30% efficiency in outdoor testing. The system's embedded microtracking technology enables efficient tracking of the sun and maximizes energy production.
Researchers at FAU have developed a detailed model of the singlet fission process, which could lead to a 50% increase in solar cell performance. By analyzing intermediate phases, they identified key steps in the process and provided new insights into molecule design.
Researchers have created a highly efficient solar cell that captures nearly all the energy in the solar spectrum, converting direct sunlight to electricity with 44.5% efficiency. The new design uses concentrator photovoltaic panels and stacked cells to capture energy from specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a self-powered smart window system using transparent solar cells that selectively absorb near-UV light. The system reduces energy costs by up to 40% and can be applied to existing windows via lamination.
A novel compound, FA-M-β-CyD, induces mitophagy-mediated antitumor activity by targeting FR-α-expressing tumor cells. It increases mitochondrial transmembrane potential and ROS production, leading to cancer cell death. The compound shows promise as an anticancer drug with minimal side effects.
Proton movement in ceramic fuel cells follows polaron model, allowing for increased conductivity. The discovery sheds new light on material choice for sustainable energy and hydrogen storage systems.
A new method using a semilocal density functional produces more accurate estimates of excitation energy compared to other commonly used functionals, while requiring less computing power.
Researchers developed a magnetoelectric random access memory cell that can increase power efficiency and decrease heat waste by orders of magnitude for read operations at room temperature. This innovation has the potential to aid production of devices with lower energy consumption, such as instant-on laptops and data storage centers.
Researchers at the University of Surrey found that metabolic changes caused by poor diets and sedentary lifestyles can trigger genetic reprogramming in cells, leading to inflammation and cartilage damage. By controlling metabolic changes through healthy eating and exercise, it may be possible to slow or even prevent osteoarthritis.
Researchers have identified a novel adenosine receptor gene, A2c, that mediates the appetizing smell of fish food in zebrafish and other aquatic vertebrates. This receptor is highly sensitive to ATP and related compounds, triggering foraging behaviors.
Scientists used molecular dynamics to visualize the working of Photosystem II and discovered three channels for plastoquinone entry and exit, contradicting previous assumptions. The study provides new insights into the complex process of converting photons into electrons.
Researchers have found a new method of microbial energy production called flavin-based electron bifurcation, which is an ancient form of energy generation and conservation. This mechanism allows organisms to generate two levels of energy from a single precursor compound, conserving wasted energy in the process.
Kirk Schanze is developing artificial light conversion systems inspired by natural photosynthesis, aiming to optimize the process and create efficient solar fuels. His goal is to contribute to a carbon-neutral energy future for the US and world.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have found that graphane could transport protons without water, potentially leading to more efficient hydrogen fuel cells. The unusual properties of graphane enable it to rapidly conduct protons across a membrane, making it suitable for anhydrous conditions.
A new process produces hydrogen at room temperature without external heat, utilizing adsorption on a RuO2/Al2O3 catalyst to initiate reaction. This enables repeated production of H2 even without external heat supply, contributing to efficient carbon-free energy production.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new stabilizing molecule that could improve the efficiency of lithium-air fuel cells, addressing issues such as poor rechargeability and high overpotentials. The molecule protects electrodes from degradation and promotes ion transport, paving the way for more sustainable energy solutions.
A new class of monolithically integrated, portable PV-battery systems has been developed using high-efficiency silicon solar cells and printed solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The device can power electric devices under sunlight or in the absence of light, offering exceptional photo-electrochemical performance and design compactness.
Three small businesses will collaborate with PNNL on projects addressing technical challenges in bio-coal and hydrogen transportation. The collaborations aim to overcome critical technology hurdles and gain a global competitive advantage for advanced energy products.
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new solar cell structure that can absorb spectral components of longer wavelengths, increasing energy conversion efficiency to over 50%. The design achieved up-conversion based on two photons, reducing energy loss by over 100 times compared to previous methods.
Researchers discovered that naked mole rats can survive extreme oxygen deprivation due to their ability to metabolize fructose. This alternative energy source supplies vital organs with energy when glucose is scarce, allowing them to thrive in low-oxygen environments.
Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University have discovered how to protect yeast cells from invasion by selfish mitochondrial DNA molecules. Using uncouplers, which decrease the efficiency of mitochondrial energy conversion, functional mtDNA outcompetes harmful mtDNA variants in a process called mitochondrial turnover.
Scientists at NREL developed a proof-of-principle photoelectrochemical cell capable of capturing excess photon energy. The cell achieved peak external quantum efficiency for hydrogen generation of 114 percent, significantly improving the production of hydrogen from sunlight.
A study on fruit flies found that a gene called THADA plays a key role in regulating metabolism and energy storage, which may have relevance to human obesity and cold tolerance. The researchers observed that THADA knockout flies were more sensitive to cold and had slower metabolisms, leading to obesity.
A new microfluidic platform helps researchers understand how red blood cells recover their shape after deformation, shedding light on diseases like sepsis and malaria. The system reveals that cells hold less fuel under stress, contrary to intuition.
Dynein motors are actively transported into cilia via the intraflagellar transport system and adaptor protein ODA16. The crystal structure of ODA16 shows how it recognizes dynein motors and binds the IFT complex, enabling their import into cilia.
Researchers captured the first steps of human DNA replication in unprecedented detail, revealing how proteins orchestrate the process. The study sheds light on crucial mechanisms, including ATP usage and protein interactions, which may help prevent diseases like Meier-Gorlin Syndrome.
Researchers at ETH Zurich and IBM Research Zurich have built a tiny redox flow battery that supplies electrical power and cools computer chip stacks simultaneously. The new micro-battery reaches record-high output and has potential applications in lasers, solar cells, and large energy storage systems.
Researchers at Jülich's Peter Grünberg Institute have created a new method for high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) that allows for fast and efficient measurements. This innovation enables scientists to investigate unstable or sensitive samples, paving the way for breakthroughs in materials analysis.
The study reveals unexpectedly large conformational changes in the myosin molecule during the pull, generating force and a paradigm for nanomachine construction. Myosin converts ATP energy into mechanical work through hydrolysis, with a previously unobserved conformational change providing new perspectives on its function.
Researchers have found that mitochondria aren't producing the same levels of energy as those in a healthy heart, leading to impaired cellular energy production and potential new approaches for treating heart disease. Understanding this abnormality could influence future treatments for millions of people worldwide.
Researchers discovered that Salmonella typhimurium tricks the immune system into suppressing autophagy by degrading key proteins. This allows the pathogen to survive and evade the immune response. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new therapeutic strategies to enhance or manipulate autophagy in diseases like cancer.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new type of lithium-ion battery that is safer, faster-charging and longer-lasting than existing batteries. The all-solid-state battery cells use glass electrolytes instead of liquid ones, eliminating the risk of dendrites and explosions.
Scientists at New Jersey Institute of Technology propose that cell components store energy on their outer edges, a strategy used by various cells daily. This discovery could lead to the development of new materials with unique properties, including applications in energy-efficient solar cells and sound deadening.
Researchers discover a mineral with the right properties to harness energy from multiple sources simultaneously. The material, KBNNO, can generate electricity from heat, pressure, and even movement, paving the way for more sustainable wearable technology.
Santa Fe Institute researchers investigated the lower bound of energy required for life and found that smallest species are most protein dense. As cell size increases, RNA concentrations grow, leading to a decrease in protein density, with larger cells eventually reaching an energy limit.
Researchers identified a gene called Gatm that plays a crucial role in maintaining the intestinal mucosal barrier, which guards against inflammation caused by bacteria. Mice with a mutation in this gene showed improved symptoms when treated with creatine, highlighting its importance for energy metabolism in IBD.
Researchers have laid the foundations for a new type of photovoltaic cell that uses infrared radiation to generate electrical energy. The solid-state solar cell relies on polaron excitations, which combine electron excitation with lattice vibrations, allowing for more efficient energy conversion. By modifying and optimizing the materia...
Scientists have discovered that GSK3 plays a crucial role in controlling B cell metabolism, adapting to varying energy needs. The study found that GSK3 limits metabolic activity in circulating B cells while slowing glycolysis and production of mitochondria in proliferating B cells in germinal centers.
Researchers have developed a new nano-sized semiconductor that concentrates visible light energy, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. This breakthrough doubles current efficiencies to at least 40%, offering benefits in energy efficiency and design.
Scientists at NREL developed a method to improve the stability and activity of photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices, which can produce hydrogen from sunlight. The new approach uses a bilayer of titanium dioxide and molybdenum sulfide to protect the photocathode from acidic solutions.
The study reveals that ATP hydrolysis and proton motive force play crucial roles in protein export for flagella construction. High-resolution pH imaging detects small but significant differences in intracellular pH, proposing the use of both ATP and protons to achieve protein export.
Researchers observed that brain cell powerhouses, called mitochondria, can quickly become dysfunctional after injury like stroke or trauma. However, they often resume their normal shape once blood and oxygen are restored, suggesting a potential new avenue for improving recovery from such injuries.