Articles tagged with Energy
Researchers develop a vanadium-doped spinel-layered structure that enhances initial Coulombic efficiency to 91.6% and voltage stability, making it suitable for high-energy applications. The study addresses long-standing issues in lithium-rich manganese oxides, paving the way for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers have developed an aqueous battery that operates efficiently in sub-zero temperatures using photothermal current collectors and suspension electrodes. The system generates heat from sunlight, raising the battery's core temperature to maintain stable performance in cold climates.
A review of carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries highlights the importance of regulating the graphite interphase for high efficiency and stable performance. The research team notes potential future developments in carbon-silicon composite anodes and optimization of carbon-lithium metal composite anode.
Researchers developed a new type of electrode material using MXene and organic molecules, achieving high capacitance and energy density in an asymmetric supercapacitor. The findings suggest potential applications for MXene-based composites as alternative electrode materials for sustainable energy storage devices.
Researchers are studying the rift to access naturally occurring hydrogen, which could yield vast amounts of clean energy. The data is promising, and scientists believe it's possible to store and access trapped hydrogen in the rift.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $975,000 to researchers at the University of Arkansas to study aluminum scandium nitride, a ferroelectric material that could be integrated into existing silicon computing platforms. This research aims to create faster computers with lower energy consumption.
A novel approach has improved the electrochemical performance of direct ammonia protonic ceramic fuel cells by introducing a CeO2-supported Ni and Ru catalyst layer. The study demonstrates enhanced performance and reduced degradation rates at various temperatures, paving the way for more efficient energy conversion systems.
A study by MIT researchers reveals that households in the US South and Southwest are struggling with energy costs, particularly air conditioning needs, as temperatures rise. The current federal program, LIHEAP, does not fully match these trends, with southern states receiving relatively less funding.
A new study of bubbles on electrode surfaces could help improve the efficiency of electrochemical processes by understanding how blocking effects work. The findings show that only a smaller area of direct contact is blocked from its electrochemical activity, not the entire surface shadowed by each bubble.
The system removes salt from water at a pace that closely follows changes in solar energy, maximizing the utility of solar power. It produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day, making it an attractive solution for communities with limited access to seawater and grid power.
A new study by CMCC scientists investigates how financial policies can ensure a just transition to clean energy. The research finds that fair-financing policies can reduce inequality in per-capita renewable energy generation by 2-4% and make electricity cheaper by an average of 10%.
Researchers developed a Mo-doped NiFeOOH catalyst with significantly reduced overpotential, demonstrating superior catalytic activity. The catalyst's durability was also shown to be impressive, maintaining stable operation for up to 170 hours.
Researchers designed a unique two-stage catalytic membrane reactor that uses solar irradiation to split CO₂ into CO and O₂, achieving a prominent CO₂ conversion of 35.4% and higher H₂ yield compared to traditional reactors. The reactor's design also provides flexibility for selecting membrane configurations.
A team of researchers from Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology developed two active Schottky junction electrocatalysts using a targeted doping and interfacial coupling strategy. These catalysts exhibit stable hydrogen evolution reaction activity and high selectivity for oxygen evolution under alkaline medium, achieving effi...
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their inherent safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. The study reveals the potential of porous zinc anodes in overcoming the limitations of traditional planar zinc anodes, including dendrite growth.
A study by MIT researchers found that EV charging stations increase annual spending at nearby businesses by an average of $1,500 in 2019 and $400 from 2021 to 2023. The impact is particularly pronounced for businesses within 100 yards of charging stations and in low-income areas.
Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully increased capacitor capacity by 2.4 times using a molecular coating method, improving its performance and lifespan. The new technology utilizes inexpensive activated carbon and can store large amounts of energy, making it suitable for next-generation energy devices.
Scientists have discovered how the Sun's supersonic solar wind receives energy, thanks to a lucky alignment of NASA and ESA spacecraft. The fastest solar winds are powered by magnetic switchbacks, which deposit enough energy to account for heating and acceleration in the solar wind.
Researchers developed improved double-layer frame structures with cushion layers to enhance MEA continuity and reduce membrane deformation. This enhances PEMFC durability, crucial for achieving the 5000-hour goal, bringing fuel cell vehicle commercialization closer to reality.
Engineers at MIT have developed a physics-based model that accurately represents airflow around rotors under extreme conditions. This new theory has the potential to improve rotor blade designs and optimize wind farm layouts for maximum power output and safety.
Physicists at European XFEL have made comprehensive observations of ionisation processes in warm dense matter. The team observed how quickly copper transforms into the exotic state of ionised WDM to become transparent to X-rays.
Scientists at Lehigh University are using mayonnaise to study Rayleigh-Taylor instability and its transition to a plastic regime. The researchers aim to better understand the physics of nuclear fusion through this unconventional approach.
Researchers at KIT's Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry developed a novel concept to improve the stability of supported catalysts by utilizing different support materials. The concept involves confining Pd clusters on CeO2 nano-islands, which leads to highly active oxidation catalysts.
A study by KIT researchers provides urban planners with a template for designing microgrids that integrate socio-economic factors and societal participation. The model aims to create equitable access to energy and services for all population groups, particularly vulnerable ones, in the face of power outages and crises.
Researchers have developed a novel dimethyl acridine-based self-assembled monolayer (SAM) that improves the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. The new SAM, called 2PADmA, enhances carrier transport, passivates defects, and reduces nonradiative recombination, leading to a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.01%.
Researchers create fast and sustainable method to produce hydrogen gas using aluminum, saltwater, and coffee grounds. They find that adding caffeine speeds up the reaction, producing hydrogen in just five minutes.
Researchers developed a novel island-bridge structured nanofluidic membrane to enhance the efficiency of aqueous energy devices. The innovative membrane design significantly boosted performance in osmotic power generators and zinc metal batteries.
Researchers unveiled three novel hole transport materials enhancing the efficiency of n-i-p PSCs by up to 24%, offering a promising step towards commercially viable solar energy solutions. The development of these materials marks a significant step towards making PSCs more economically viable.
A review explores the application of machine learning in biological treatment processes for organic waste, improving efficiency and sustainability. ML algorithms are used to predict treatment outcomes, optimize process parameters, and enable real-time monitoring.
A study investigates renewable e-methanol production using bio-carbon, direct air capture, fossil fuel carbon capture, and fossil sources. Renewable e-methanol methods show negative emissions, but high production costs remain a challenge.
Researchers studied jet energy loss in nucleus-nucleus collisions, revealing a decrease in the jet transport coefficient with increasing medium temperature. This discovery provides a more accurate understanding of jet quenching in high-energy collisions.
A $1.5 million state grant is funding research into using fungal molecules in batteries, photovoltaics and electronic circuitry. The project, called NICER, aims to explore how these compounds can improve energy technologies, making them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
A team of researchers led by Professor Beom-Kyeong Park has made a breakthrough in enhancing solid oxide fuel cell efficiency with a rapid PrOx coating method. The study demonstrated significant enhancements in SOFC electrode performance, reducing polarization resistance and boosting peak power density.
A team of researchers from Central South University proposes a novel strategy to enhance breakdown strength and electric polarization in dielectric materials. By modulating filler orientation and polymer crystallization, they achieve ultrahigh energy density and improved voltage endurance.
Professors Philip LeDuc and Burak Ozdoganlar have developed a novel 3D ice printing technique that enables the creation of micro-scale structures with tailored geometries. Their method uses water as an ink substitute, allowing for the deposition of precise internal voids and channels.
The study found that Ni particle size influences CO2 activation pathways, with smaller particles favoring direct dissociation and larger particles favoring hydrogenation dissociation. Larger particles also show superior resistance to carbon formation.
Researchers developed a rapid Joule-heating synthesis method to improve the efficiency and selectivity of carbon dioxide reduction. The method ensures uniform dispersion of metal nanoparticles on carbon supports, enhancing electron conductivity and catalytic performance.
Scientists have developed a machine learning program that can identify blobs of plasma in outer space known as plasmoids. The program will analyze data from NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission to better understand magnetic reconnection and its effects on the electrical grid.
Researchers used statistical physics and network science to analyze European electricity price data, revealing that factors beyond Russian gas were at play during the 2021-2022 energy crisis. The study found strong correlations between certain countries' markets and unexpected impacts on electricity prices.
Researchers have developed a novel perovskite-based anode material with mixed hole–proton conduction, achieving high efficiency at low and medium temperatures. The breakthrough could pave the way for important technological advancements in energy technologies.
Researchers proposed an active equalization strategy to minimize cell inconsistencies in series-connected lithium-ion battery packs. The strategy utilizes a dual threshold trigger mechanism and energy transfer path optimization, significantly reducing cell inconsistencies and enhancing pack performance.
Researchers developed PEDOT:F ionomer to improve PEMWE performance. The hybrid conductor facilitates water adsorption and reduces energy barriers, leading to enhanced oxygen evolution reaction performance. This innovation promotes smoother particle migration during electrolysis.
Researchers developed pyrochlore La2Zr2–xNixO7 anodes to improve the efficiency of ammonia-based solid oxide fuel cells. These materials exhibit excellent electrochemical performance and durability, enabling high power density operation at intermediate temperatures.
A team of researchers at Tsinghua University Press has developed a new flexible battery for wearable devices that is safer, cheaper, and more efficient. The battery uses ammonium ions as charge carriers and incorporates hydrogel to achieve self-healing properties.
A new metal-nitrogen-carbon catalyst has been developed for use in zinc-air batteries, outperforming noble metal catalysts and improving the efficiency and practicality of ZAB technology. The team's rechargeable battery achieved a specific capacity of 846.8 mAh·g Zn and an impressive power density of 135 mW·cm−2 in liquid electrolyte.
A new type of reverse electrodialysis heat engine (REDHE) has been developed to convert low-grade heat into electricity. The REDHE incorporates helium-gap diffusion distillation as the thermal separation unit and achieves high energy conversion efficiency when optimized parameters are used.
Researchers at KIT have developed a novel polymer-based metamaterial that combines properties of light diffusion, self-cleaning, and radiative cooling while maintaining transparency. The material can optimize indoor lighting, provide passive cooling, and reduce reliance on air conditioning.
The team fabricated a tandem solar cell with a transparent conducting electrode, achieving high efficiency of greater than 17 percent and exceeding 20 percent when assembled. The study demonstrates antimony selenide's potential as a bottom cell material for tandem solar cells.
Researchers investigate SEI stability in silicon particles to improve lithium-ion battery cycling performance. They found that using spherical silicons with smaller particle sizes and artificially constructing SEI with a uniform structure can enhance stability.
Microstructure simulations reveal strong influence of elastic deformation on charging behavior of layered oxides used as cathode of sodium-ion batteries. The study found that fast charging creates mechanical stress that may damage material permanently, leading to degradation mechanisms and reduced capacity.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap that can deliver heat at temperatures of over 1000 degrees Celsius using solar radiation. This technology has the potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries on a large scale, making it an important step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.
Researchers developed a poly ionic liquid called PSFSIPPyri to enhance perovskite solar cell performance. The addition improves stability, preventing halide ion migration and facilitating organic and halide ion fixation.
A new device uses small amounts of light to process information, offering significant energy improvements over conventional optical switches. This technology could enable quantum communications, providing a promising alternative for data security against rising cyberattacks.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new catalyst that reduces the amount of iridium required for hydrogen production, achieving 82% efficiency and sustaining production for over 4 months. The breakthrough could revolutionize ecologically friendly hydrogen production and pave the way for a carbon-neutral energy economy.
Researchers developed a new theory that bridges biological vessels and artificial materials, applicable to various functional materials. The Universal Murray's Law can optimize fluid transport in synthetic structures, boosting efficiency in energy storage, catalysis, and sensing.
Researchers developed aerogel-based composite phase change materials (PCMs) to address thermal management, solar-thermal conversion, and microwave absorption issues in electronic devices. The composites showed over 90% absorption of broadband light and converted solar energy into thermal energy with a greater than 95% efficiency.
The GREENSKY model significantly enhances the energy efficiency of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in cellular networks by optimizing charging behavior and routing processes. This results in a 9.1% reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional heuristic solutions.
Researchers at University of Cambridge found that disordered carbon electrodes in supercapacitors store more energy than ordered ones. The study used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to analyze electrode materials and found a correlation between disorder and energy capacity.
Researchers have discovered life-threatening quantities of lead pollution from improperly managed battery waste in off-grid solar technologies in Malawi. The study found that common informal recycling activities for lead-acid batteries release toxic lead pollution, equivalent to more than 100 lethal oral doses per single battery.