Articles tagged with Sunlight
A Rutgers University study reveals that volcanic eruptions can cool the climate, weaken monsoons, and reduce crop harvests, making dynasties more susceptible to collapse. The research suggests that smaller eruptions may cause dynasties to fall when political stress is already high.
Researchers identified bacteria and yeast on photovoltaic panels in Brazil, similar to those found in Spain, the US, Arctic, and Antarctic. The microorganisms have adapted to sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and water scarcity, making them suitable for biotech applications.
A Brazilian study reveals that forest fires and wildfires modify the freezing process of cloud droplets, altering natural cloud functioning and potentially impacting precipitation. The research used a large dataset to show that aerosols emitted by fires can affect cloud formation in southern Amazonia during the rainy season.
Plants redirect resources from root growth to stem development when shaded, limiting yields and biomass. Researchers discovered key genes involved in this process, including WRKY proteins and ethylene signaling.
Researchers at Duke University developed electrochromic technology that can alternate between harvesting heat from sunlight and allowing an object to cool. The device, which uses a thin layer of graphene and metal nanoparticles, demonstrates a tuning range of thermal radiation never seen before.
Researchers at NTU Singapore develop a method to encase algae protein in liquid droplets, tripling artificial photosynthesis efficiency and generating more energy. The technology has the potential to make solar cells more efficient and pave the way for sustainable energy production.
Researchers found that additives in commercial shopping bags boost the conversion of solid plastics into water-soluble compounds under sunlight. The compounds vary depending on the additives used, with some bags releasing up to 15,000 dissolved compounds.
Researchers develop a novel method to convert nitrate in wastewater into ammonia with nearly 100% efficiency and zero greenhouse gas emissions. The system utilizes cobalt catalysts and solar power to achieve unprecedented solar-to-fuel efficiency, outperforming existing technologies.
Researchers found that UVB phototherapy increases levels of romantic passion and aggression in both men and women. Exposure to sunlight affects the endocrine system's regulation of sexual hormones.
A new study published in The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people of African descent are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, particularly in countries with high latitudes. To address this issue, researchers recommend increasing consumption of vitamin D-rich foods and taking supplements, especially during winter months.
Researchers analyzed claims data to identify key demographic characteristics of patients receiving a sunburn diagnosis. The study found that patients with sunburn tend to be older, female, and have a history of previous sunburns or skin cancers.
Two new molecules have been found to prevent skin aging after being exposed to ultraviolet light, generating minute amounts of hydrogen sulfide to correct energy production and usage in skin cells. This could pave the way for a new way to protect deeper layers of skin using these compounds.
Researchers found that UVB radiation from the sun causes chemical changes to DNA, leading to disease-causing mutations. This discovery sheds light on the origins of melanoma and highlights the importance of prevention efforts.
Scientists have found a low-cost way to split off oxygen molecules from water using sunlight, paving the way for more efficient production of clean hydrogen. The breakthrough uses a technique that creates electrically conductive paths through a silicon dioxide layer, allowing for stable and efficient water splitting.
Researchers developed a transparent radiative cooler that transmits visible light while reflecting near-infrared light, radiating heat in the atmospheric window. The material lowered interior temperatures by up to 14.4°C and exterior temperatures by 10.1°C in outdoor experiments.
A new scientific study suggests that dark 'eyeliner' feathers of peregrine falcons have evolved to reduce sunlight glare, thereby improving their hunting ability. The research found that the size and darkness of the malar stripe, directly beneath the eyes, vary positively with solar radiation levels.
Researchers developed a holographic light collector that captures unused solar energy and increases the amount of solar energy converted by solar panels over the course of a year. The collector directs specific colors of sunlight to solar cells within the panel, resulting in an estimated five percent increase in annual yield.
Purdue University engineers develop ultra-white paint that reflects up to 98.1% of sunlight, keeping surfaces cooler than surroundings. The paint, made with barium sulfate particles of different sizes, can reduce the need for air conditioning by 10 kilowatts.
An observational study found that areas with higher levels of UVA rays had a lower risk of Covid-19-related deaths. The researchers suggest sunlight exposure could act as a simple public health intervention to reduce mortality rates, although the exact mechanism is still unclear.
Injections of reflective sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere may relieve worst climate change consequences when combined with carbon emission reductions. However, SAI carries its own risks, affecting multiple environmental factors in complex and unpredictable ways.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have designed a smart device that harnesses sunlight to illuminate underground spaces. The device uses an acrylic ball and plastic optical fibre to focus sunlight onto a cable, which is then transported to underground locations to provide light.
A new invention uses sunlight to drive water purification, filtering out lead, oil and pathogens from contaminated water. The device can operate off-grid and is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
A team of researchers re-examines the effectiveness of sunlight in deactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, finding that results contradict previous theories and suggest an alternative mechanism involving UV-A light. This discovery could lead to new management strategies using widely available UV-A radiation.
Scientists have unraveled the evolution of photosynthetic algae by reconstructing a key protein that captures sunlight. The discovery sheds light on how these single-celled organisms thrived in inhospitable conditions, paving the way for modern plants and photosynthetic organisms.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed nanoporous cubic silicon carbide that efficiently traps and harvests sunlight to split water into hydrogen gas. The material's high charge-separation efficiency boosts water splitting efficiency, making it a promising approach for producing renewable energy.
Lowering solar panel operating temperature by a few degrees can significantly increase electricity generation over lifetime, KAUST researchers show. They developed a metric to compare LCOE gains from reducing module temperature vs. improving efficiency, finding that cooling can achieve similar gains as PCE improvements.
A team of researchers developed a three-dimensional crystallizer to treat waste brine using solar power, offering an eco-friendly solution for seawater desalination. The device achieves efficient evaporation rates even in the presence of salt crystals, paving the way for zero liquid discharge and sustainable agriculture.
A recent study found that human activities, particularly air pollution, are the primary cause of fluctuations in global dimming and brightening. Surface solar radiation increased after economic collapse and improved air quality regulations, suggesting a link between human-induced aerosols and climate changes.
Researchers found that long-term occupational exposure to sunlight is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in women after the age of 50. Vitamin D levels may protect against the disease, but the study's limitations highlight the need for further investigation.
Researchers have developed a new material, alpha-SnWO4, that could convert up to 20% of sunlight into chemical energy for hydrogen production. Thin layers of nickel oxide were found to reduce the photovoltage and degrade the material, but alternative deposition processes may improve performance.
Skin cancer rates in the UK have increased dramatically over the past four decades, with a notable rise in middle-aged and older adults. The study found that public health campaigns targeting children and adolescents may be contributing to the stabilization of skin cancer incidence among young people.
Scientists propose that widespread semiconducting minerals can absorb sunlight and drive reduction reactions similar to those in biological photosynthesis. These minerals may have played a transformative role throughout primitive Earth, driving the evolution of early lifeforms.
Research finds that migration from high sunlight regions to low sunlight regions increases risk of vitamin D deficiency, associated with higher mortality rates from cardiovascular disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. Vitamin D supplements may offer significant benefits in extending life years
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a new coating material for semiconductors that can produce fuels more sustainably using sunlight and electricity. The study shows that the coating reduces the voltage needed in the process, making it more energy-efficient.
A team of researchers at MIT and IIT developed a solar-powered system to generate pressurized steam for autoclaving medical tools. The system uses optically transparent aerogel to trap heat and can maintain safe sterilization conditions without electricity or fuel.
Researchers at Swansea University have developed a novel process called photoreforming that uses sunlight to convert hazardous medical waste into clean hydrogen fuel. The process has the potential to save millions of pounds by reducing waste disposal costs and mitigating pollution.
Scientists have developed a white paint that cools below ambient temperatures, reflecting 95.5% of sunlight and maintaining lower temperatures under direct sun. This technology could reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in various industries, including buildings, data centers, and outdoor equipment.
Researchers at MIT have developed a more practical and efficient solar-powered system that can extract drinkable water from dry air, doubling its output compared to an earlier version. The new system uses a readily available adsorbent material, increasing scalability and feasibility for remote regions with limited access to water.
Researchers investigated urban grime samples from US cities, revealing that it absorbs sunlight, which can speed up or slow down chemical reactions affecting air and water quality. The study found differences in ion levels between North American and European cities.
Global warming may make viruses more resistant to disinfectants like chlorine and heating, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Researchers found that warm-water-adapted viruses are more resilient to inactivation than cold-water-adapted ones.
Researchers at Linkæping University have developed a molecule that can absorb and store solar energy. The molecule is part of a group known as molecular photoswitches and can undergo a chemical reaction to change its energy state, enabling efficient storage of solar energy.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new strategy to harness sunlight and store it as carbon-neutral fuels. The study highlights the importance of catalysts in photoelectrosynthesis and proposes a less-is-more approach to improve energy efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a standalone device that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and formic acid, a storable fuel. The device, based on 'photosheet' technology, has shown high selectivity with minimal by-products.
A global research team has developed a new adsorbent-based desalination process that uses sunlight to regenerate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), producing clean drinking water in under 30 minutes. The technology filters harmful particles and achieves a TDS of <500 ppm, making it suitable for millions of people globally.
A study of 684,000 people found that self-interest campaigns led to higher solar energy adoption rates than prosocial campaigns focusing on community benefits. Exposure to prosocial campaigns increased peer recommendations and satisfaction with installations.
Scientists developed a new 2D material to produce hydrogen from fresh, salt, and polluted water by exposing it to sunlight. The material efficiently generates 0.5 liters of hydrogen in an hour from 100 square centimeters, making it one of the highest rates recorded for 2D materials.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a method to visualize light-induced molecular ring-opening reactions using free-electron lasers. The study reveals the speed and mechanisms behind these reactions, which are essential for understanding biological processes like vitamin D formation.
Researchers created a super white paint that reflects up to 98% of incoming solar radiation, potentially reducing indoor temperatures and air conditioner use by radiative cooling. The innovative paint formula replaces titanium oxide with barite and Teflon, offering improved reflectivity and reduced heat absorption.
Two genes, ELF3 and GI, control a plant's internal clock, regulating the timing of flowering in response to daylight. The study provides insights into how plants anticipate environmental changes and breed better-adapted varieties.
Researchers found a 8% increase in sunlight reaching solar panels in Delhi due to reduced air pollution. The cleaner air allowed for more efficient energy production from solar panels.
A study by University of Copenhagen found that prolonged exposure to sunlight on the head significantly impairs cognitive functions and motor skills, leading to decreased productivity and safety. The researchers emphasize the need for protection against sunlight to mitigate these effects.
A new study in Nature reveals a process that allows molecules to guide scientists on how to modify them for better solar energy absorption and conversion. By mimicking the energy conversion systems found in nature, researchers aim to develop more abundant, scalable materials for solar energy technology.
Researchers have developed a new photocatalyst that can generate hydrogen from water with high efficiency, using nanoscale metal oxide sheets and a ruthenium dye molecule. The material works under visible light, the main component of sunlight, and has a record-breaking turnover frequency and external quantum yield.
Researchers developed a smart window technology that automatically changes color in response to sunlight intensity, reducing the need for power and lowering production costs. This technology can block sunlight and reduce cooling costs in buildings, making it suitable for large commercial buildings and automobiles.
Researchers use X-ray laser to observe water molecules flowing through the oxygen-evolving complex of Photosystem II, shedding light on a key step in oxygen production. The study provides new insights into how protein and water molecules work together to produce breathable oxygen.
Rice University researchers have created a self-sustaining system that splits water to produce hydrogen fuel using solar power, with an efficiency of up to 6.7%. The device uses perovskite solar cells and catalytic electrodes to convert sunlight into electricity, which drives the electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
A study revealed smaller-than-expected phytoplankton cells in the North Atlantic, suggesting a reduced ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This finding may impact carbon sequestration models and the planet's ecological health.
Researchers discovered that when cyanobacteria cells become too crowded, they shut down photosynthesis as a defense mechanism. This phenomenon allows the cells to slow down growth and avoid rupture, providing insights into how organisms regulate this essential process.
Scientists develop flexible bio-butterfly-wing that converts natural sunlight into a flapping motion, producing a frequency exceeding actual butterfly wings. The device demonstrates potential applications in flying animal robots and solar energy harvesting.
Researchers have developed anti-solar cells that can harness power from infrared radiation at night, offering a potential solution for balancing the power grid around the day-night cycle. The devices work by emitting light instead of absorbing it, using different materials and physics.