Articles tagged with Electricity
The US Navy is developing narrow strips of graphene called nanoribbons to improve power control systems in ships, smartphones and electronic devices. Graphene nanoribbons can conduct electricity with reduced heat loss and added strength compared to traditional materials.
Researchers from Université de Genève found that activated neurons swell due to massive entry of water, providing a new insight into brain functioning. This discovery enables the detection of cellular mechanisms behind brain activity, allowing for more accurate localization and pathologies diagnosis.
A new learning method for energy optimization of plug-in hybrid electric buses uses stochastic Markov models to minimize fuel and electric consumption costs. The approach avoids the curse of dimensionality problem by approximating the cost function without discretization, reducing computational complexity.
Research comparing traditional hunter-gatherer communities with and without access to electricity reveals that those with electricity sleep an average of one hour less per night than those without. The study suggests that artificial light disrupts humans' natural circadian clock and sleep-wake cycle, leading to shorter nights.
Research shows that public access defibrillation on people suffering cardiac arrest is associated with a large increase in chances of survival. However, despite the great potential, publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are not being used enough.
A Binghamton University doctoral candidate is working on improving data center efficiency by analyzing air flow, turbulence, and cooling capacity. The research aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 30% in data centers.
Researchers measured cell phone activity at towers to gain insight into population dynamics and predict infrastructure needs. This new metric can help plan electrification options like power lines or microgrids for rural communities in need.
A study by Duke University found that residential and commercial customers using automatic bill payments consumed 4-6% and 8% more power, respectively. This increase in demand may offset savings from energy demand-reduction programs. To combat this issue, utilities are exploring strategies to boost price salience.
A comprehensive survey of resources used and removed in the world's largest metropolitan areas reveals that megacities consume significantly more energy and produce more solid waste than other regions. Despite having a relatively small percentage of the global population, megacities generate a substantial proportion of global GDP.
Researchers analyzed data from 20 states to determine the average cost of saving electricity through utility customer-funded energy efficiency programs. The study found that efficiency programs and participants split the cost almost equally, with home lighting programs driving costs down.
A Dartmouth-led team is studying the environmental and financial benefits of converting methane gas from cow manure into electricity and heat on Vermont and New York dairy farms. The project aims to quantify how integrating food and energy production affects farm viability and environmental impacts.
A new paper by Zhi Da at the University of Notre Dame finds that residential electricity usage can track household production in real time, helping to price assets. The research shows that consumer product related industries are risky as they have high exposure to household production risk.
A study published in Scientific Reports identified a rural community in Brazil that still adheres to traditional sleep patterns, unlike many urban areas where artificial lighting has disrupted the natural day-night cycle. The researchers found that town residents and those living in the countryside have different preferred wake-up and ...
Scientists have developed a new, 'green' way to improve lithium-ion battery performance using a carbon-based nanosheet derived from silk. The material stores five times more lithium than graphite, critical for improving battery life.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a new technique to make coatings that can conduct electricity or convert it into hydrogen fuels, using a consumer-grade heat lamp.
Scientists found that electric car driving range and emissions differ greatly depending on regional energy sources and climate, with extreme temperatures affecting battery efficiency. The study's analysis revealed that geographical differences can influence the energy implications of electric vehicles.
Aalto University researchers have successfully created a cost-effective and efficient electrocatalyst made of iron and carbon, replacing traditional platinum-based systems. The new material reduces losses and makes the process economically viable, addressing challenges in energy storage.
A UCLA study found that environmental messages can significantly reduce energy use, with participants reducing their electricity consumption by an average of 8% after receiving weekly emails highlighting the health and environmental benefits. The most effective message was one that combined both ideas, reminding people that energy redu...
Researchers have discovered GraphExeter, a graphene-based material that withstands extreme conditions, including high temperatures and humidity. This breakthrough could revolutionize the electronics industry by replacing indium tin oxide (ITO) with a more durable alternative.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is providing critical support to two new microgrid projects, receiving over $8 million in funding. These projects aim to develop commercially-viable standardized microgrid controllers that can provide a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply.
A new study finds that driving electric vehicles powered by renewable energy can reduce air pollution-related deaths by up to 70%. The research also shows that switching to natural gas-powered electricity or vehicles yields significant health benefits. In contrast, vehicles running on corn ethanol or coal-based electricity would increa...
Researchers fabricated a new substance from atomic sheets that interlock like Lego toy bricks, offering potential for next-generation materials. The material, made of graphene and tungsten disulfide, combines the good properties of each component layer, enabling efficient solar cells and flexible electronics.
Researchers have successfully developed a room-temperature fuel cell that uses jet fuel and enzymes to produce electricity. The new cells can be used to power portable electronics, off-grid power, and sensors. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective energy solutions.
A new database has been developed to support sustainable modes of electricity production as hydropower dams are expected to double global electricity capacity by 2030. This boom may reduce the number of free-flowing rivers by 20% and threaten freshwater biodiversity, highlighting the need for a systematic management approach.
Hurricane Gonzalo brought severe weather to Bermuda, causing power outages and damage. The storm then moved east across the North Atlantic, affecting eastern Canada and Scotland with heavy rains and gusty winds.
A study found that brain mechanisms engaged during mental rest and reflection can strengthen memories of events and retention of information, leading to better future learning. Researchers used brain scans to show that participants who reflected on earlier learning tasks performed better on later tests.
A new study found that expanding electricity access in India contributed only marginally to the nation's total carbon emissions growth between 1981 and 2011. However, low-carbon energy technologies would bring significant co-benefits beyond climate mitigation, including improved health and economic benefits.
Engineers at TUM have developed a light-weight torque vectoring transmission for electric vehicles, which recovers braking energy more efficiently. The system, used in select top model cars with combustion engines, also enhances road handling dynamics and driving pleasure.
UConn scientists have found a way to prevent Monk Parakeet nests from causing power outages and public hazards on utility poles. By blocking the pathway to their nests, researchers can keep these invasive birds from building huge nests that weigh up to 200 pounds and cost electric utility companies millions of dollars annually.
Scientists at USC have discovered that bacterial nanowires are not pili, but rather membrane extensions equipped with electron-transfer proteins called cytochromes. This finding challenges the previous understanding of these 'electric bacteria' and opens up new avenues for research on their potential applications in bioelectronic devices.
A recent UCL study discovered that the human habenula, a tiny part of the brain, tracks expectations about negative events like painful electric shocks. This tiny region suppresses dopamine, driving motivation, and its activation can signal how bad outcomes are expected.
A study published in JAMA examined the prevalence of underlying cancer in women undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy using morcellation. The researchers found uterine cancers present in 27 per 10,000 women at the time of the procedure, with advanced age associated with underlying cancer and endometrial hyperplasia.
Scientists have created a detailed picture of Mount Rainier's deep volcanic plumbing, revealing a partly molten rock reservoir approximately 30 percent molten. The study used both seismic imaging and magnetotelluric measurements to capture the melting process that feeds magma into the crustal reservoir.
Using high-brilliance X-rays, researchers have gained a better understanding of the chemical reactions in fuel cells, leading to the development of more efficient systems. This knowledge will help make large-scale alternative energy power systems more practical and reliable.
A new psychological investigation found that most people find it difficult to concentrate when alone with their thoughts, preferring external activities instead. Researchers discovered that even older adults and those who prefer not to disengage from the world struggle with solo thinking.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed the first fuel cell capable of directly converting fuels like jet fuel and gasoline to electricity. This innovation offers a significantly more energy-efficient way to generate electric power for planes or cars.
Installing state-of-the-art solar panels on a quarter of a million roofs could meet one-sixth of Scotland's electricity demands, easing the plight of one in three households. The report reveals that harnessing energy from the sun on south-facing buildings could have significant economic, environmental and social impacts.
A Polish-German-Italian team developed a polymer with unique optical and electrical properties. It can change its chirality depending on the electric potential applied, mimicking 'chiral breathing'. The material is suitable for polarisation filters, window glasses, and chemical sensors.
Javad Lavaei, assistant professor of electrical engineering at Columbia University, has received a $400,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop high-performance optimization methods for power systems. His research aims to improve the design, modernization, and operation of smart grids, reducing electricity costs, power outages, and gas emissions.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a low-temperature fuel cell that directly converts biomass to electricity using a catalyst activated by solar or thermal energy. The device can use various types of biomass, including starch, cellulose, and switchgrass, and operates for up to 20 hours without needing purification.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab find that orbital fluctuations in iron-based compounds enhance electron pairing, a key mechanism behind superconductivity. By precisely pinning down electron distributions, they open a new frontier for condensed matter physics.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are converting the laser hot-wire welding process into a high-output 3D additive manufacturing process with partners Lincoln Electric and other industry leaders.
A NREL study reveals that wind power technology can assist the power grid by controlling active power output, improving system reliability. The research also shows that providing active power control services to wind turbines can be economically viable and is essential for better integrating variable generation into electric systems.
A new type of battery that could transform grid-scale energy storage, making power from renewables more economical and reliable. The innovative technology relies on naturally abundant, inexpensive quinone molecules, which are similar to those found in plants and animals.
The 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book reports a significant increase in US renewable electricity capacity, with installed capacity over 163 GW and renewables accounting for 56% of new electrical capacity installations. Wind and solar PV were among the fastest-growing electric generation technologies.
A new global program aims to increase sustainable electricity in developing countries through well-designed Public-Private Partnerships. The program draws on lessons worldwide and features a set of 'Golden Rules' that will empower decision makers to define successful strategies for the implementation of PPPs.
Recent advances in robotics enable the creation of prosthetics that mimic natural movement, allowing users to navigate stairs and uneven ground with reduced stress. Studies have shown improved walking speed, decreased energy expenditure, and reduced fall rates compared to passive prostheses.
Research by Tel Aviv University researchers shows that torture survivors experience diminished pain inhibition and heightened pain excitation, leading to dysfunctional pain regulation. Non-physical forms of torture, such as psychological oppression and humiliation, may also contribute to chronic pain and poor pain regulation.
Santiago Grijalva, NREL's new director of the Power Systems Engineering Center, will establish and direct the NREL's grid research portfolio at ESIF. He champions an Internet of the Grid, envisioning millions of decision-makers managing the electric grid.
A new study finds that replacing coal-fired power plants with wind turbines is the most cost-effective way to cut carbon pollution and reduce health impacts. The switch can also lead to lower electricity generation costs, making clean energy a more economically viable option for powering America's electricity needs.
Falling particle receiver technology uses ceramic particles to capture and store heat at higher temperatures, enabling greater thermal-to-electric efficiency. The system aims to achieve efficiencies of 50% or more, potentially leading to lower energy storage costs.
Researchers have developed a way to generate electricity from sewage using naturally-occurring bacteria that produce electricity as they digest organic material. The microbial battery is about the size of a D-cell battery and has an efficiency comparable to commercially available solar cells.
Researchers have developed a measurement tool to assess market power in deregulated electricity markets, taking into account emerging smart grid phenomena. The tool, called transmission constrained network flow, unifies existing measures and provides a unified view of market power potential under varying operating conditions.
Scientists developed a solar steam technology that sterilizes medical and dental instruments, disinfects human waste, and purifies dirty water. The device uses sunlight to generate steam, eliminating the need for electricity or fuel.
In a study published in Neural Regeneration Research, decimeter wave therapy was found to contribute to the regeneration and recovery of compressed nerves. Intraoperative electric stimulation also showed positive effects on nerve repair.
Researchers find that small, disordered crystals in plastic materials improve charge mobility, enabling faster electron movement and higher performance. This discovery could lead to the development of low-cost, commercially available plastic solar cells.
New research shows that most big data centers could slash their greenhouse gas emissions by 88% by switching to efficient equipment and improving energy management. Improving computing efficiency is the key factor, with renewable power helping reduce emissions by 98% when combined with other strategies.
The Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy presents top-level academic achievements by international researchers and engineers. The partnership aims to improve communication among power systems researchers and bring their important topics to an international audience.
Researchers found that hydrogen fuel cells are technically feasible and commercially attractive as a clean power source for ships. The study suggests that using hydrogen fuel cells to power container ships could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, with potential economic benefits.
Researchers found that hydropower could accommodate unexpected variations in wind energy, but only if operating guidelines were relaxed over a two-week period. Changing these guidelines is complex and may require congressional action, according to Penn State researchers.