Articles tagged with Energy
MIT researchers have developed a new type of programmable resistor that enables analog deep learning, which promises faster computation with reduced energy usage. The device can process complex AI tasks like image recognition and natural language processing, paving the way for integration into commercial computing hardware.
The development of porphyrin-based framework material catalysts could lead to more efficient and cleaner energy conversion processes, addressing the challenge of electrifying hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Porphyrins have been used in biomimetic chemistry and solar energy utilization but face stability and recycling issues.
As extreme heatwaves ravage the globe, scientists warn that only 8% of the world's poorest people have access to air conditioning. By 2050, 70% of the population may require AC, with 92% needed in India and Indonesia. This demands massive infrastructure upgrades to prevent lives from being lost.
Researchers explored the potential of osmotic power generation using 2D materials, which can efficiently generate electricity from the concentration difference between seawater and river water. The technology has the potential to produce one terawatt of electricity annually, making it a promising alternative to wind and solar power.
Researchers have discovered that resistivity can cause instabilities in plasma edge, making it more stable when included in models. The study aims to design systems for future fusion facilities with improved plasma stability.
Researchers have developed microsupercapacitors that can be integrated onto stone tiles, enabling high-performance and customizable power from natural building materials. The devices maintain a high energy storage capacity even after multiple charge-discharge cycles.
Researchers observe a significant increase in electrical conductivity when mica is thinned down to few molecular layers, exhibiting semiconductor-like behavior. The findings suggest that thin mica flakes have the potential to be used in two-dimensional electronic devices with exceptional stability and durability.
Researchers have compared two promising electrolyte systems for lithium-sulfur batteries: highly solvating and sparingly solvating electrolytes. The study suggests that each system excels in different applications, with HSEs suitable for high-power demands and SSEs better suited for long-life cycles.
Researchers developed a new film-forming additive that significantly enhances sodium ion battery performance, resulting in a 52% increase in capacity retention after 100 cycles. The additive improves the stability of hard carbon anodes, leading to improved long cycle performance and potential for commercial use in sodium ion batteries.
The study achieved an efficiency of nearly 25 percent, surpassing previous values, by combining perovskites with CIS. The hybrid material enables the production of light and flexible tandem solar cells suitable for various applications.
Researchers combine power conversion and storage capacity into a single device, overcoming previous inefficiencies and costs. The new technology uses six types of photo-enhanced rechargeable metal batteries, offering efficient and scalable solutions for solar energy storage.
Researchers developed a redox mediation strategy to improve lithium–sulfur batteries' sluggish reaction kinetics, enabling practical application. The team created an organic molecule-based redox mediator that promotes sulfur redox kinetics in high-energy-density pouch cells.
Harvard researchers develop new method to extend the lifetime of organic molecules in organic aqueous flow batteries, improving their commercial viability. The approach works by periodically providing a shock to revive decomposed molecules, resulting in a net lifetime increase of up to 260 times.
Researchers have developed a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) to separate propane and ethane from methane, offering a promising alternative to traditional cryogenic distillation. The Cu-MOF exhibits high adsorption capacity and selectivity for C2-C3 hydrocarbons.
Scientists have refined the use of magnetic fields to improve tokamak performance by suppressing instabilities called ELMs. The new technique allows plasma to operate in H-mode for longer periods, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of damage to internal parts.
Scientists construct figure-eight-shaped machines with rotary motors and polymer chains to enable measurement of mechanical work and forces. The machines twist and untwist like whirligig toys, exerting similar torque to the enzyme that produces ATP.
A team of researchers has proposed an atomic terminated concept to design a facet <em>single-crystal architecture</em> for Li-S batteries, harvesting high-density/efficient surface active sites to significantly boost electrocatalyst performance. They achieved a high efficient surface-active sites concentration of more than 69 percent, ...
Researchers demonstrated how heterogeneous photocatalysis can improve selectivity in organic transformations, breaking down lignin and producing high-quality products. The technique offers mild conditions for chemical reactions, using air as the oxidant and ambient pressure, reducing energy consumption and environmental cost.
A new technique has been developed to upscale the production of perovskite solar cells, facilitating their commercialization. The self-assembled monolayer process enables large-area coating and promotes efficient device performance by eliminating interfacial voids.
Researchers developed an amphiphilic assembly to enhance electron transfer kinetics in biofuel cells. The approach resulted in high power output and operational stability, breaking the limitations of traditional enzyme immobilization methods.
Researchers develop a new optimization model integrating electricity and hydrogen systems to evaluate the potential value of long-duration energy storage (LDES) in a net-zero grid. The integration of LDES technologies reduces overall annual cost of the electricity grid by tens or hundreds of millions of pounds.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants use wet cooling methods to dissipate waste heat, but this can lead to significant water loss. A new study developed a radiative cooling system with cold storage that reduces water consumption by up to 85% in hot regions.
Engineers at China University of Hong Kong propose optimal design elements for aqueous electrolytes in low temperature aqueous batteries. They found that ideal antifreezing electrolytes should exhibit low freezing temperatures and strong supercooling abilities, enabling ion transport at ultra-low temperatures.
The 27th North American Meeting will focus on technological challenges, breakthrough discoveries, and state-of-the-art research in catalysis. The meeting features plenary lectures by renowned experts in the field.
To achieve the EU's climate neutrality goal by 2050 with a maximum temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a massive rollout of solar and wind power is required, along with investments in Power-to-X technologies and carbon capture. The model suggests installing 400 GW of new solar and wind energy capacity every year from 2025-2035.
A new membrane stabilizes lithium electrodes by regulating the ion electrodeposition process, leading to improved battery performance. The study demonstrates a significant step towards developing safer and more efficient lithium metal batteries.
Researchers have designed a lightweight wood-based foam that reflects sunlight, emits absorbed heat, and is thermally insulating. The material could reduce buildings' cooling energy needs by an average of 35.4% depending on weather conditions, making it a promising solution for hot climates.
The new journal iEnergy aims to unite experts in various energy-related disciplines to accelerate the transformation of the energy structure and achieve carbon neutrality. Original research articles focus on technologies and solutions for power and energy challenges, with a special connection to electrical energy.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a new theoretical description of how the Hall effect determines the efficiency of magnetic reconnection. The study reveals that the Hall effect suppresses energy conversion from magnetic fields to plasma particles, enabling rapid energy release and explosive magnetic explosions in space.
Researchers have designed simpler magnets for twisty stellarator facilities, which could aid the development of a stellarator power plant. The new magnets have straighter sections than before while preserving their strength and accuracy.
A team of researchers has provided evidence to settle the debate on the relative stabilities of boron nitride's structures using a state-of-the-art quantum simulation method. The study found that hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is the most stable structure, followed by rhombohedral (rBN), zinc-blende (cBN), and wurtzite (wBN).
Researchers from Tsinghua University Press have developed a potassium ion battery using MXene compounds, demonstrating outstanding performance and high power density. The battery outperforms traditional lithium-ion batteries, maintaining nearly full capacity after 30,000 cycles.
Researchers at MIT and NREL have designed a thermophotovoltaic cell that converts heat to electricity with over 40% efficiency, surpassing traditional steam turbines. The new design could enable a fully decarbonized power grid by storing excess energy from renewable sources.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully converted solar energy into electricity using a thermoelectric generator. The new technology can store solar energy for up to 18 years and release it when needed, making it a promising solution for renewable energy production.
An interdisciplinary team studied lithium-CO2 batteries to overcome critical problems for their potential as new energy storage devices. The team identified the electrochemical mechanism's lack of understanding and efficient electrocatalysts as significant hurdles.
A team of researchers has developed a tunable graphene-based platform to study exceptional points, which exhibit unique properties when light and matter interact. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in optoelectronic technologies and potentially contribute to the development of 'beyond-5G' wireless technology.
A novel approach to enhancing lithium-ion storage performance is presented using iron-laced carbon nanofibers. The material exhibited improved electron and ion transfer, resulting in sustained electric power through 5000 cycles of high current density.
A POSTECH research team has developed a platform that can control and measure the properties of solid materials with light. This breakthrough enables the manipulation of quantum states in solids, which can be effectively used in quantum systems.
Researchers developed a novel cathode composition that overcomes challenges in manufacturing, offering high area capacity and promising performance. The resulting composite cathode delivers an area capacity above 8 mAh/cm2 within a wide range of voltages.
Researchers have found direct evidence of strong electron correlation in ABC trilayer graphene, a two-dimensional material that can switch between metal, insulator, and superconductor states. The discovery provides insight into the underlying physics driving these switchable materials.
Scientists from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have successfully embedded enzymes in metal-organic frameworks to enhance their stability. This innovation enables the use of these enzymes in both aqueous and organic solvents, leading to improved productivity and stability in continuous reactors.
Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have developed a flexible soft-solid MOF composite membrane for efficient H2/CO2 separation. The membrane's unique structure, featuring quasi-vertically oriented solid particles, achieves better separation accuracy and robust anti-swelling capacity.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new, inexpensive catalyst material that can produce oxygen from water, potentially replacing rare metals and reducing the cost of producing carbon-neutral fuels. The material, made of abundant components, allows for precise tuning and matches or exceeds the performance of conventional catalysts.
Researchers develop alternative diagnostic technology to evaluate Li-ion battery degradation mechanism quickly and efficiently. The approach allows for rapid detection of LLI degradation, facilitating real-time monitoring of individual cells' state of health.
Researchers have developed a new electrode material using a truncated-octahedral LiMn2O4 design to improve lithium adsorption capacity and cycle stability in low-energy conditions. This technology has the potential to address the global challenge of extracting sufficient lithium from brine sources.
New research suggests nuclear power can provide low-cost energy and replace natural gas as a backup source, enabling faster decarbonization in countries with poor wind resources. The analysis found that nuclear is the cheapest way to eliminate all electricity-system carbon emissions nearly everywhere.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a process to synthesize ammonia from its constituent molecules of nitrogen and hydrogen at ambient pressure, paving the way for efficient use in renewable energy applications. The new method utilizes lithium hydride as a molecular scaffold to prevent clumping and increase reaction speed.
A new Stanford University study reveals that using a 100-year timeframe underestimates methane's importance in achieving Paris Agreement climate goals by up to 87%. The researchers propose using a 24-year timeframe instead, which would ensure emissions of methane are weighted correctly over the time period before temperature thresholds...
A new in situ coring and testing system developed by Prof. Heping Xie's team allows for the preservation of environmental conditions, enabling accurate analysis of morphology, liquids, gases, and microorganisms in deep rock samples. The system's accuracy is improved compared to traditional methods, opening up new possibilities for deep...
A recent study published in the KeAi journal found that commercial banks continue to view small merchant renewable energy projects as risky, despite the trend towards 'greening of banks'. Government banks in the Philippines were more open to providing credit to these developers, highlighting the need for innovative financing solutions.
Scientists at Osaka University demonstrated the ability to generate gigagauss magnetic fields via gyro motion of relativistic electrons, with polarity reverse occurring instantly. The study, published in Scientific Reports, reveals a new mechanism for magnetic field growth and amplification.
Researchers at GIST used ultrafast X-ray pulses to study warm dense copper electrons, revealing that bonds harden before melting. The findings could improve understanding of extraordinary material properties and their underlying mechanisms.
Researchers have created nanoparticles that can store hydrogen, reducing the need for pressurized tanks and cooling. The discovery could enable climate-friendly fuels and production methods for airplanes, ships, and steel.
Scientists developed an all-season smart-roof coating that automatically switches between cooling and heating, outperforming commercial cool-roof systems in energy savings. The technology uses vanadium dioxide to regulate its rate of radiative cooling, overcoming the problem of overcooling in winter.
The University of California, Riverside, has been awarded a $980,000 grant from the Department of Energy to develop an AI-driven detector for the future Electron-Ion Collider. The team will use machine learning techniques to optimize detector design and achieve 'co-design,' a new concept in nuclear physics.
Researchers developed a molecular device that converts infrared light to visible light, expanding detection capabilities. The device uses tiny vibrating molecules and metallic nanostructures to enhance conversion efficiency.
Researchers develop a 3D, self-supported electrode using hierarchical and honeycomb alloy that reduces overpotential in water splitting process. The alloy's fully-exposed active sites promote rapid electrochemical reactions, leading to efficient hydrogen production.
Researchers developed novel photon upconversion systems with heterojunctions of bilayer films of organic semiconductors, achieving two orders of magnitude higher external quantum efficiency than conventional systems. This breakthrough enables bright yellow emission in flexible thin films for optogenetics and biosensing applications.
Researchers explore harnessing China's wind energy to produce carbon-free green hydrogen at a lower cost than coal-derived black hydrogen. Shifting from black to green hydrogen could reduce 100 million tons of CO2 emissions per year by 2030.
Thermal quenches in fusion devices occur when high-energy electrons escape from the core and fly toward the wall, causing a rapid drop in electron temperature. The researchers propose an analytic model of plasma transport that provides new physical insights into the complex topology of 3-D magnetic field lines.