Articles tagged with Electricity
A team of researchers suggests using two thin films of different materials to create affordable and efficient solar cells. The proposed configuration achieves a 34% efficiency rate, surpassing the efficiency of individual components.
Researchers at KIST have developed high-efficiency large-area organic photovoltaics by controlling solvent evaporation rates, achieving 30% higher power conversion efficiency than existing photovoltaics. This breakthrough enables the creation of practical solar cell technology for future energy self-sufficiency and eco-friendly energy ...
A NUS study found that households respond to air pollution by increasing electricity consumption, leading to higher carbon emissions. Cleaner urban air can reduce energy demand and mitigate carbon emissions. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the impact of air quality on energy demand in developing countries.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to convert red bricks into energy storage units that can store electricity, which could be charged and used to power devices. The 'smart bricks' can store a substantial amount of energy and can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times within an hour.
Researchers at KIST found that retinal neural signals from electric stimulation are altered depending on disease progression in mice affected by outer retinal degeneration. This study suggests guidelines for patient selection of retinal prostheses, improving performance and perception of artificial vision.
Researchers explored ways to ensure power supply in Spain, considering the scarcity of interconnection with neighboring countries. They found that flexible management of hydropower plants could alleviate supply shortages due to renewable energy's intermittency.
A new study suggests electric cookers can sanitize N95 respirator masks through dry heat, preserving their filtration and fit. The method decontaminates the masks inside and out, enabling safe reuse of limited supplies.
Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a hybrid solar desalination system that combines membrane distillation, concentrated solar power, and photovoltaics to recover water from concentrated waste streams. The system uses renewable energy resources to purify concentrate streams with maximum efficiency.
A new study suggests electric fans and self-dousing with water could effectively cool people at home during extreme heat. Researchers found that up to 65% of the US population could stay cool on all summer days using this strategy.
Researchers created a personal cooling fabric that efficiently transfers heat away from the body while allowing sweat to evaporate. The new material, made from nanofibrous membranes coated with boron nitride nanosheets, has high thermal conductivity and potential uses in solar energy collection and electronic device management.
University of Utah researchers found that Salt Lake City's buildings will require less natural gas for heating and more electricity for cooling as temperatures rise. The study suggests that local building policy can impact energy use in the future, with multi-family apartment buildings expected to grow in number.
New offshore wind projects in the UK are expected to produce electricity very cheaply, potentially reducing household energy bills. The projects will operate with 'negative subsidies,' paying money back to the government and then passing it through to consumers.
A study reveals that high-income neighborhoods emit significantly more GHGs for energy use due to larger homes and less dense communities. To achieve the Paris Agreement target, the authors suggest reducing floor spaces and increasing community density in low-carbon neighborhoods.
Researchers developed a hybrid solar energy converter that generates both electricity and thermal energy with high efficiency and low cost, enabling zero-net-energy development and greenhouse-gas-free operations. The system demonstrated 85.1% efficiency and is projected to have a system levelized cost of 3 cents per kilowatt hour.
A new study suggests that vehicle electrification has substantial potential to reduce both climate change and air pollution damages. However, a clean electricity grid is crucial for a sustainable transportation future.
Researchers at MLU and Lanzhou University developed a simple concept for improved magnetic-based data processing using ultrashort electric pulses in the terahertz range. This enables fast and energy-efficient data storage with billions of read and write operations per second.
A new mathematical model for solar irradiance prediction has been developed at Uppsala University and proved highly reliable. The MCM model provides accurate forecasts of solar power production fluctuations, enabling greater control over solar energy use.
Using air conditioners increases electricity bills on average by 42%, particularly affecting poorer households. Climate change amplifies this impact, especially in Europe and North America.
Researchers at POSTECH developed a variable color filter using metal-hydrogel-metal resonator structure and combined it with solar cells to create a self-powering humidity sensor. The sensor detects changes in surroundings by converting light's energy into electricity, making it suitable for use in IoT technology.
Three community-based organizations, Mee Panyar from Myanmar, Solar Freeze from Kenya, and Takataka Plastics from Uganda, have won the first Stanford Global Energy Heroes prizes. They will receive $20,000 and a trip to Stanford for the Global Energy Forum. The organizations are working on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions a...
Nuclear fission reactors are being considered as top candidates to generate electricity in space due to their reliability and capacity. The technology has been tested and could provide a power source for several years, making it an attractive option for lunar and Martian settlements.
A new USC study highlights the disproportionate impact of urban heat waves on low-income and disadvantaged communities in LA, with over half of census tracts expected to experience more than 16 extreme heat days above 95F per year by the end of the century.
UCLA chemists have reported the key chemical discovery necessary for creating a small, electronic marijuana breathalyzer. The research uses electricity to change the chemical structure of THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, making it easier to detect whether a person is impaired.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel that can cool down electronic devices and convert waste heat into electricity, reducing overheating issues and increasing device efficiency. The new material, which is self-regenerating and safe for use, has shown promising results in cooling cell phone batteries during fast discharging.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory developed a new electrode material for an electrochemical cell that can efficiently convert excess electricity and water into hydrogen. The device operates at temperatures as low as 400-600 degrees Celsius, making it more cost-effective and sustainable.
A IIASA study reveals sub-Saharan Africa needs to triple its electrification pace to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable energy services by 2030. The region faces a daunting challenge with nearly 570 million people without electricity and limited grid infrastructure in rural areas.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas will lead a multi-institutional project to protect solar technologies from cyberattack. The project aims to develop cybersecurity systems for photovoltaic energy technology and devices, including solar PV inverters.
USC scientists have developed a new redox flow battery that stores electricity in solutions, sorts electrons, and releases power when needed. The technology uses iron sulfate and anthraquinone disulfonic acid (AQDS) to store electrochemical energy, with advantages over competitors in terms of cost, durability, and scalability.
A new study finds that smaller scale, low-cost technologies like solar panels and electric bikes are better suited for accelerating decarbonization. These 'granular' alternatives outperform larger scale technologies in terms of cost, innovation, and accessibility.
A Clemson University team created a double-helical metal-organic framework with unique S-shaped charge transport pathways, enabling it to conduct electricity. The material shows promise as a next-generation semiconductor due to its energy efficiency and temperature tolerance.
Scientists at Osaka University created a flexible computing device from field-programmable gate arrays, increasing circuit density by 12 times and reducing energy usage by 80%. This innovation may lead to custom machine learning hardware with enhanced performance and reduced electricity consumption.
Researchers from ETH Zürich found that single-family households with behavioral change can achieve total self-sufficiency by 2050. However, multi-family buildings require advancements in photovoltaic technology to reach the same level of energy independence.
A new project at Aarhus University is developing highly efficient and inexpensive components in flow batteries, aiming to disrupt the field of stationary batteries. The goal is to reduce the price further and achieve a levelized-cost-of-electricity-storage below EUR 0.05 per kWh per cycle.
Researchers have designed a new approach to power system operation that uses multiple microgrids to provide electricity to smaller areas, reducing the risk of power outages. By conserving energy and using locally available generating reserves, these islanded systems can keep the lights on for longer periods.
Researchers at the University of Houston are developing a new power plant technology that can reduce emissions and improve grid resilience. The technology uses supercritical CO2 to generate electricity, making it an attractive option for storm-prone regions.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have predicted a new state of matter that could efficiently conduct both electricity and energy. They found that quantum entanglement enables the coexistence of these two properties in certain materials, which could lead to significant technological advancements.
Researchers developed a computational model that maximizes economic return on anaerobic digestion systems, accounting for uncertainty and key factors such as farm size and species. The model identifies optimal locations, capacities, and service areas to generate profit from farm-based sustainable energy projects.
Researchers develop enhanced device to transform CO2 into valuable chemicals by harnessing electricity. The new design enables gas reactants to reach the catalyst surface fast enough to significantly increase the rate of reaction.
African charcoal production supports nomadic lifestyles, while its large-scale use contributes to deforestation. Despite efforts to regulate, charcoal remains a significant source of energy worldwide, with millions of metric tons produced annually.
The CHEOPS space telescope has successfully opened its cover following a series of tests, enabling further activities including star and planet imaging. The first images are expected to be published within one or two weeks, allowing the team to assess the instrument's abilities.
A new study found that closing nuclear plants in Germany resulted in substantial increases in global and local air pollution, with an estimated annual social cost of $12 billion. The shift to fossil fuel-fired power also led to increased mortality rates associated with air pollution.
A recent observational study found a significant increase in electric scooter-related injuries and hospital admissions in the US from 2014 to 2018. The study highlights concerns about public safety and the need for regulatory measures to mitigate these risks.
A survey of homes in rural India reveals that men dominate electricity use patterns, suggesting that households with electrified access may benefit more from male members. Despite efforts to improve female well-being through clean energy, women reported that only a quarter experienced increased time for personal activities.
A new thermodynamic formula reveals bifacial cells can generate 15-20% more sunlight to electricity than monofacial cells, taking into consideration different terrain and surfaces. The formula helps companies design more efficient next-generation solar cells.
A Rutgers-led study reports the first experimental measurement of how bending organic semiconductors affects electricity flow, showing a 1 percent bend can double electron speed.
The study reveals that the western United States saw the highest electrical transfers, leading to 17% of regional emissions attributed to these exports. The Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Power Pool had the largest consumption-based carbon footprint, accounting for 19% of US annual emissions.
A global study reveals that demand for electric power poses significant threats to biodiversity, particularly in countries where coal is a major energy source. The research suggests shifting to renewable energy sources could mitigate these impacts.
The US electric power sector saw a decrease in carbon intensity, with total power generation falling by 4% and CO2 emissions per megawatt-hour dropping by 9% in Q2 2019. Coal generation declined by 19% compared to the previous year, while renewable sources such as solar and wind increased their share of power generation.
Researchers at the University of Malaga created a low-cost T-shirt that generates electricity from temperature differences between the human body and surroundings. The 'e-textile' prototype uses biodegradable materials such as tomato skin and carbon nanoparticles to produce electrical power.
A new system converts CO2, water, and renewable energy into ethylene under neutral conditions, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels. The improved catalyst reduces side products and increases selectivity for ethylene production.
The study reveals how bacteria's V1 motor converts chemical energy into mechanical rotation, similar to a well pump. Understanding this mechanism may lead to the development of highly efficient, man-made motors for implantable batteries or artificial electric eels.
A recent study found that exposure to air pollutants from power plants varies significantly by race, income, and geography in the US. The researchers estimated that in 2014, approximately 16,700 premature deaths were caused by power plant emissions, with African Americans facing the highest mortality rates.
A new study challenges the EU's approach to decarbonizing its economy, arguing that it overlooks the importance of functional societal change. The researchers propose a new methodological approach to analyze complex issues like electricity decarbonization, highlighting the need for policies that motivate use changes.
The study's innovative approach uses a multi-electrode interface to deliver variable targeted stimuli to the spinal cord, increasing the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation and potentially treating a wider range of individuals. The technology has also shown promise in diagnostics, allowing for the assessment of residual activity in th...
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a building simulator to test energy savings in various buildings. The simulation is being tested in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as part of a partnership between the DOE and Electric Power Board.
Scientists at Kanazawa University successfully controlled magnetic anisotropy through electric polarization, enabling nonvolatile memory. The researchers applied electricity to a zinc oxide layer, affecting the cobalt-platinum alloy below.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory will lead two new projects and collaborate with seven more to enhance the nation's power grid reliability and resilience. The research focuses on developing efficient solutions for hardening the grid against disruption and making it more resilient when events occur.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is developing a 'fresh electric farm' to produce nutritious crops in controlled environments, reducing carbon footprints. The first crop being studied is kale, grown in a storage container under bright LED lights.
Researchers have embedded high-performance electrical circuits inside 3D-printed plastics, increasing conductivity by 10-fold. This innovation could lead to smaller, more efficient drones and biomedical implants, as well as better-performing small satellites.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have uncovered a novel process by which phototrophic microbes can accept electrons from solid and soluble substances. This discovery, published in mBio, could lead to the development of bacterial platforms that feed on electricity and carbon dioxide to produce valuable compounds.