Articles tagged with Energy
A new process developed by KIT researchers reduces steel production's greenhouse gas emissions by several hundred million tons per year. The technology, known as dry reforming, replaces coke with hydrogen-rich synthesis gas to support iron oxide reduction in blast furnaces.
The new platform, Arras Energy, simulates how all parts of an electric grid work together, making it easier to understand and apply the results. The tool can help utilities harden their distribution systems against extreme weather and integrate renewable energy sources.
Researchers at Tsinghua University Press have developed a non-precious metal electrocatalyst for water splitting, achieving stable oxygen evolution reactions (OER) and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). The FeSnCo Sx Oy /NF catalyst shows promise in reducing carbon-based energy sources and producing more energy than gasoline.
Researchers from China University of Petroleum apply terahertz spectroscopy to characterize oil shale's anisotropy, organic distribution, and fingerprint spectrum. The method enables simultaneous characterization of main oil generation zones and natural gas zones.
A new electrocatalyst made of nickel, iron, and silicon decreases the amount of energy required to synthesize hydrogen gas from water, making it more practical for clean energy production. The catalyst, known as FeNiSi, also reduces the energy required to generate oxygen, making it a bifunctional electrocatalyst.
Researchers develop AI methods to analyze photoluminescence data and identify factors influencing coating quality. The findings provide a blueprint for improving production processes and boosting the efficiency of highly efficient solar cells.
Researchers at DTU Energy replicated a 2021 experiment where a fast-spinning magnet caused another magnet to hover. The force affecting the magnets is attributed to coupling between movement and magnetic force, allowing it to defy classical physics.
Researchers developed a system to capture sound waves in enclosed spaces like theaters and concert halls, converting them into electrical energy. This reduces the risk of hearing loss and promotes an environmentally friendly power management feature.
Researchers at University of Maryland develop a new 'cooling glass' coating that can lower indoor temperatures by 3.5 degrees Celsius without electricity. The technology has the potential to reduce mid-rise apartment building's yearly carbon emissions by 10%.
Scientists have developed a new, efficient ethanol catalyst made from copper nanoparticles, which is cheaper than platinum and could increase the potential of ethanol fuel cells. The catalyst was created through laser melting and shows great promise for improving ethanol oxidation.
A large study of used cars and SUVs found battery electric vehicles driven almost 4,500 fewer miles than gas cars annually. This challenges current assumptions about emissions savings from EVs, highlighting the need for better understanding of driver behavior to accurately predict emissions reductions.
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 at MIT and Harvard University have developed an efficient process to convert carbon dioxide into a stable, solid formate fuel that can be used in fuel cells and generate electricity. The new process achieves over 90% conversion efficiency and eliminates the need for toxic and flammable fuels.
A comprehensive review of polyoxometalate (POM)-based nanohybrids charts their potential in improving sustainability across various industries. The nanohybrids have unique catalytic properties, enhancing photoelectrochemical reactions and promising applications in clean energy conversion, sensors, and electronics.
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.
Researchers have developed a high-performance magnesium-air primary battery using nitrogen-doped nanoporous graphene as air electrodes, offering superior performance to platinum cathode-based batteries. The battery's porous electrode structure facilitates air transport and prevents rapid corrosion of the Mg electrode.
The MIT team designed a train-like system of reactors that harnesses the sun's heat to produce clean hydrogen fuel with up to 40% efficiency. This could drive down costs and make solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) a scalable option for decarbonizing transportation.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully tested quantum annealing on a D-Wave 2000Q quantum computer for optimizing continuous-variable functions. The study found that QA can significantly outperform state-of-the-art classical algorithms, especially when the energy barrier is high.
Researchers at OIST have developed a quantum engine that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to create power, replacing traditional fuel-based methods. The engine's efficiency can reach up to 25% and has potential applications in devices such as batteries and sensors.
Researchers developed a graphene-based proton-exchange membrane that successfully suppresses the crossover phenomenon, allowing for high proton conductivity while blocking fuel molecule penetration. This study contributes to the development of advanced fuel cells as an alternative to hydrogen-type fuel cells.
A team led by Professor In Soo-Il at DGIST developed a high-efficiency photocatalyst that converts CO2 into methane using solar energy. The research improved the composition of nanoparticle co-catalysts and ruthenium doping to maximize optical and electrical properties, achieving enhanced CO2 adsorption and conversion efficiency.
A recent study suggests that higher intake of ultraprocessed foods, particularly those with artificial sweeteners, may be associated with an increased risk of depression. The exact mechanism is unknown, but researchers believe that artificial sweeteners could play a role in the development of depression.
Researchers from the University of Oldenburg developed a new stochastic method to mitigate sudden swings in wind turbine power output. The study found that control systems are mainly responsible for short-term fluctuations and can be optimized to ensure more consistent energy output.
Researchers have developed a novel, fully bio-based starch plastic with remarkable flexibility, hydrophobicity, and self-healing properties. The material's ability to be thermally processed and adaptively heal scratches and large-area damage makes it highly appealing for various applications.
Researchers have developed a new method to calculate the health and climate impacts of reducing buildings' energy consumption. The tool estimates co-benefits under different energy use scenarios, providing insights into the economic value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and premature deaths caused by air pollution.
A study by University of Washington Bothell and Seattle Pacific University researchers examines how teachers applied a holistic approach to analyze the social and cultural impacts of power plants. The authors found that connecting students with realities beyond the classroom prepares them to engage in community decision making.
Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University developed a new framework for solving the energy efficiency problem in IIoTs. The proposed SWIPT-NOMA-DAS system is five times more energy efficient than existing systems, with significant improvements in performance and battery life extension.
Researchers at Auburn University are developing a Findable, Interoperable, Accessible, and Reusable (FAIR) data platform to manage fusion device data according to FAIR standards. The project aims to accelerate fusion energy research by enabling strong collaborations and promoting diversity in the workforce.
A Chinese research team has developed a power generator that collects and produces continuous electrical signals from natural atmospheric humidity. The device uses nano-sized polyoxometalates, which are environmentally friendly and have high stability in various environments.
Researchers developed a new type of battery using sheet-like hard carbon and activated carbon with improved structural stability. The materials showed high specific energy and power output, lasting almost no loss in performance after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles.
A study by Spanish researchers outlines the optimal strategy for China to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, focusing on photovoltaic and wind power. The plan involves deploying 3,844 new commercial-scale plants, expanding ultra-high-voltage transmission systems, and optimizing energy loads.
A better way to wirelessly charge over long distances has been developed, utilizing the phenomenon of radiation suppression. The research shows high transfer efficiency, over 80 percent, can be achieved at distances approximately five times the size of the antenna.
Researchers propose a novel route for constructing 1D/2D carbon nanostructures with tunable aspect ratios and high nitrogen content, employing small molecule-formamide. The approach leads to the formation of polyaminoimidazole (PAI) and exhibits an extremely high N content exceeding 40 atomic percent.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that ions conduct faster than electrons in conjugated polymer electrodes, challenging conventional wisdom. This finding provides valuable insights into the factors influencing charging speed and offers opportunities to engineer materials with improved performance.
Researchers found that disordered organization of proteins boosts energy transfer efficiency, allowing nearly every photon to generate an electron. This finding could lead to better understanding of photosynthesis and potential applications in artificial systems.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a faster way to synthesize CoSn(OH)6, a powerful catalyst required for high-energy lithium–air batteries. The new method uses solution plasma-based synthesis and achieves highly crystalline CSO crystals with improved catalytic properties.
The £7 million CoTide project aims to develop scalable tidal stream energy, making renewable power cheaper, more reliable, and scalable. The initiative will create integrated engineering tools and solutions to overcome technical challenges in harnessing ocean tides as a clean energy source.
The Lehigh University Industrial Assessment Center will conduct energy audits for manufacturing plants in the mid-Atlantic region, providing real-world training for students and professionals. The center aims to reduce industrial emissions and improve manufacturing competitiveness while enhancing workforce development in disadvantaged ...
Researchers demonstrated a 300-fold increase in electron-phonon coupling strength by reducing dimensionality, paving the way for novel engineering opportunities. The enhancement was attributed to non-local nature of coupling in synthetic SRO/STO superlattices.
Researchers have developed a highly efficient electrode for solid oxide electrolysis cells, enabling high-efficiency carbon dioxide reduction. The high-entropy perovskite-type symmetrical electrode incorporates Fe-Co-Ni-Cu quaternary alloy nanocatalysts, showing exceptional catalytic activity and stability.
A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.
A team at the University of Minnesota discovered a way to control heat flow in materials 'on the fly' using a simple process. This record-setting discovery could lead to developing more energy-efficient and durable electronic devices.
Researchers used X-ray computed tomography to visualize dendrite failure in unprecedented detail, revealing separate processes driving initiation and propagation of cracks. The findings point to overcoming technological challenges of lithium metal solid-state batteries, which could improve EV battery range, safety, and performance.
Defects in atomic structure enable better oxygen evolution reaction performance, producing clean-burning hydrogen gas with less electricity. The researchers developed electrocatalysts with both amorphous and crystalline architectures that contain defects, leading to superior reaction activity.
Zap Energy has developed a method to measure and calculate Q, the net energy gain, in its sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion plasmas. The company measures temperature, density, and flow velocity to determine plasma confinement duration.
Researchers have created a wearable textile that can convert body movement into usable electricity and store it for future use. The fabric has high energy density and lengthy stability over charge and discharge cycles, making it promising for delivering wearable energy generation and storage.
The DOE's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program supports Zap Energy's sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch technology, a promising approach to fusion energy. With $5 million in funding, Zap aims to develop a grid-ready power source and engage with local communities.
Researchers at Tsinghua University Press designed a new triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) fabrication method to increase the charge density of mosquitoes and reduce wasted energy. The high-performance rotary TENG device demonstrated an output voltage of 6 kV, making it effective in killing mosquitoes and destroying bacteria.
Researchers introduced a conductive fullerene-derivative interlayer to enhance electron transport and increase PCE in all-inorganic perovskite solar cells, improving thermal stability. The interlayer remedies morphology issues, energy level mismatches, and electron traps, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced defects.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have created a solar-powered technology that converts carbon dioxide and water into liquid fuels like ethanol and propanol. These fuels have high energy density and produce no net carbon emissions, making them a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
A novel photocatalytic reactor uses TiO2 nanotube arrays coupled with nanobubbles to efficiently degrade organic pollutants like Rhodamine B. The method shows high degradation efficiency and can be applied to treat wastewater.
A new alkaline thermal treatment (ATT) technology produces hydrogen from biomass with significant potential for negative carbon emissions. The study highlights the importance of alkali and catalysts in the reaction mechanism, suggesting strategies to enhance efficiency and overcome kinetic limitations.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new catalyst that converts captured carbon dioxide into acetic acid with high efficiency. The innovation uses electrochemistry to convert CO2 into products with established markets, offering new pathways for improving the economics of carbon capture and storage.
A team of researchers found that prosumers, who produce their own electricity, can lower transmission charges when generating less energy. However, when producing a large amount of renewable energy, transmission charges increase. The study suggests levying a per-MWh tax on prosumer consumption to reduce the likelihood of death spirals.
Researchers from China develop a clean and green synthesis of isothioureas via electrochemical three-component reaction using thiols, isocyanides, and amines. This method avoids heavy metal catalysis and stoichiometric oxidants, offering advantages in energy efficiency and waste minimization.
The research team offers five recommendations for enhancing practical solar evaporation performance: introducing new energy sources, exploring novel photothermal materials, and designing innovative evaporators. They also emphasize the importance of large-scale ISE systems for practical applications like seawater desalination.
Researchers highlight gaps in tritium studies, focusing on species uptake and human health risks through the food chain. A global assessment is needed to minimize tritium's impact on individual species and the environment.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a system that converts waste acetone and low CO2 concentrations into biodegradable plastic using artificial photosynthesis. The study successfully synthesized 3-hydroxybutyrate with over 60% efficiency after 24 hours.
A new mechanochemical recycling method recovers up to 70 percent of lithium from battery waste, making it inexpensive, energy-efficient, and environmentally compatible. The method uses aluminum as a reducing agent and can be applied to various cathode materials.
Recent studies have reported significant advances in iridium-based catalysts for green hydrogen production. However, addressing high costs and research challenges are crucial to realizing their full potential.