Articles tagged with Sunlight
Researchers found that light exposure regulates how two kinds of fat cells work together to produce energy. A lack of sunlight may lead to metabolic problems beyond seasonal affective disorder, with implications for human health.
Researchers at EPFL have achieved a record-breaking photoelectrochemical water-splitting efficiency of 4.5% using cuprous oxide (Cu2O) photocathodes with copper thiocyanate (CuSCN) as a transparent and effective hole transport layer, showing improved performance and overcoming limitations such as high cost and electron-hole recombination.
Researchers developed a new ecological degradation process for atrazine using nanostructured materials and sunlight. The process eliminates toxic by-products, but its efficiency is limited by the presence of suspended particles and certain species in real water samples.
New research from the University of Portsmouth reveals that donkeys are less likely to seek shelter from heat and light than mules. The study found that donkeys prefer arid, hot climates with higher sunlight levels, while mules are more sensitive to temperatures and sunlight.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a method to turn plastic waste into valuable chemicals by harnessing sunlight, converting non-biodegradable polyethylene into formic acid, a chemical used in fuel cells and energy generation.
A new system designed by MIT and Chilean researchers uses radiative cooling with an aerogel insulation layer to cool objects by up to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating the need for electricity. The device blocks incoming sunlight while allowing infrared heat to radiate away into space, achieving significant cooling powers.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully developed an artificial leaf that can directly produce syngas, a widely-used gas currently made from fossil fuels, in a sustainable way. The device uses sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce clean gas without releasing additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
A team of researchers from Tokyo Tech has developed a promising material, Pb2Ti2O5.4F1.2, to generate clean fuel through water splitting. The oxyfluoride overcomes stability issues with traditional photoanode materials, enabling efficient water-splitting reactions.
Scientists found that sunlight can break down polystyrene over a much shorter time scale than previously estimated, degrading it in decades to centuries. The researchers' study suggests that the additive content of polystyrene samples affects its degradation rate.
A Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution study finds that polystyrene breaks down faster than previously thought when exposed to sunlight, transforming into CO2 and other compounds. The research suggests additives in polystyrene play a key role in its breakdown.
Researchers create strain-accommodating smart skin that changes color in response to heat and sunlight, mimicking chameleon skin. The new material uses arrays of photonic crystals embedded in hydrogels to achieve color changes without buckling.
Researchers at Emory University have created a flexible smart skin that changes color in response to heat and sunlight without altering its size. This innovation uses photonic crystals to mimic the chameleon's natural ability, opening doors for applications in camouflage, chemical sensing, and anti-counterfeiting.
Researchers have created a widely applicable and affordable photomicroreactor that utilizes luminescent solar concentrators to efficiently power photochemical reactions. This innovation enables the synthesis of various substances, including pharmaceuticals, using sunlight as a sustainable energy source.
Researchers suggest that spherical models could underestimate climate phenomena due to reduced aerosol cooling, which might lead to inaccurate projections. The study's findings have implications for climate modeling and the accuracy of predictions.
A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that air pollution under clear skies significantly reduces the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface. The study highlights the negative impact of air pollution on renewable energy harvesting and associated economic burdens, as well as its effects on air purity.
Researchers discovered that intense light amplifies the PER2 gene, which bolsters blood vessels and offers protection against heart attacks. The study found that mice exposed to intense light had reduced cardiac tissue damage after a heart attack, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for humans.
A study by KU Leuven researchers has successfully stabilized perovskites, a promising type of semiconductor material for harnessing solar energy. By binding the crystals to a glass substrate and heating them to high temperatures, the black perovskite state is achieved, enabling efficient sunlight absorption and electricity generation.
Researchers found that pavement burns account for a significant number of burn-related injuries, particularly in the Southwestern United States. Temperatures above 95 degrees significantly increase the risk of pavement burns, with the risk increasing exponentially as temperatures exceed 105 degrees.
Researchers at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research have developed black (nano)gold that can catalyze CO2 conversion to methane at atmospheric pressure and temperature, utilizing solar energy. The material exhibits significant effects on purification of seawater, protein unfolding, and chemical reactions.
Researchers at Rice University developed a method to increase the efficiency of solar-powered desalination systems by concentrating sunlight into 'hot spots' using inexpensive plastic lenses. This approach boosts output by more than 50% and increases purified water production, addressing global water scarcity issues.
Focusing sunlight onto a photothermally active membrane using lenses increases distilled water flux through the membrane by more than 50%. This breakthrough demonstrates the utility of exploiting focused sunlight in thermally and optically driven processes.
A new device for collecting and purifying water, developed at the University of Texas at Austin, uses a rose-inspired design to improve upon current methods. The device can produce more than half a gallon of water per hour per square meter and removes contamination from heavy metals and bacteria.
Asteroid Gault, a well-known space rock, has begun slowly disintegrating as it develops comet-like tails. The newly observed event suggests that asteroids are dynamic and active worlds, prone to spin-up processes that can lead to disintegration.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a solar-powered moisture harvester that captures and cleans water from the air using hydrogels. The system can produce up to 50 liters of clean water per kilogram of hydrogel, making it a promising solution for disaster situations, water crises, or poverty-stricken areas.
Athletes competing in singles tennis, golf, and cycling events are most at risk of sunburn due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. The study recommends adopting specific sun protection regulations and guidelines to mitigate the risks.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new transparent material coating that greatly reduces fogging on eyewear, cameras, and windshields. The coating absorbs infrared sunlight and converts it into heat, preventing fogging by heating the surface up to 3-4 degrees Celsius.
Researchers found that measuring the brightness of light alone is not enough to infer stratospheric aerosols, highlighting the need for an instrument with precise polarization measurements. A specialized Earth-orbiting instrument is necessary to obtain comprehensive information on aerosol properties and distribution.
A new study found that plants adjust photosynthesis in response to rapid light changes using a sensory-like regulation system. The findings suggest that plants have evolved to prioritize long-term stability over short-term efficiency in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Researchers develop device that uses suspended structure to absorb solar energy, heating water to boiling point and producing superheated steam. The device can be used in remote regions to generate drinking water, sterilize medical equipment, or supply heat for industrial processes.
Researchers at MIT have devised a new way of providing cooling on a hot sunny day using inexpensive materials and no fossil fuel-generated power. The passive system allows emission of heat at mid-infrared range, radiating into outer space and punching through greenhouse gases.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have discovered new materials that can convert sunlight and CO2 into building blocks for liquid fuels. These materials mimic the process of photosynthesis in green plants, offering a promising approach for recycling CO2.
A new study found a clear negative correlation between climate factors and alcohol consumption, with colder regions and areas with less sunlight experiencing higher drinking rates. Climate is also tied to binge drinking and the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease, which claims many lives in patients with prolonged excessive alcohol use.
Researchers have successfully scaled up a water-cooling system that can provide continuous day-and-night radiative cooling for structures. The low-cost hybrid organic-inorganic metamaterial can be scaled into an array small enough to fit on most rooftops and act as a natural air conditioner with minimal electricity consumption.
Researchers have developed a paint-like polymer that can cool down surfaces by reflecting sunlight and heat back into the sky. The PDRC polymer reflects over 96% of sunlight and achieves sub-ambient temperature reductions of approximately 6° Celsius in hot climates.
Researchers create high-performance exterior PDRC polymer coating with nano-to-microscale air voids, which reflects sunlight and radiates heat to the sky. The coating can be fabricated, dyed, and applied like paint on various surfaces, achieving cooling capabilities in both desert and tropical climates.
Researchers developed a model that predicts black carbon's direct radiative effect with high accuracy, considering particle size and mixing state. The study finds that accurately describing these factors is crucial to understanding black carbon's contribution to climate change.
MIT researchers have developed a passive, solar-powered system to prevent ice buildup on surfaces, using a three-layered material that absorbs sunlight and spreads heat to melt boundary layers of ice. The system has been tested extensively and shows great promise for commercial use in various applications.
Research reveals that air pollution can reduce solar panel output by up to 17% in some cities, leading to significant financial losses. The study found that urban areas like Delhi and Beijing could lose tens of millions of dollars annually due to haze-related reductions in solar power.
Engineers installed small metal rods into premade holes of the sunshield to maintain alignment and reduce repair time by months. This technique eliminates the need for full deployment and refolding of the large sunshield layers.
A new analysis by University of California, Berkeley researchers concludes that injecting particles into the atmosphere to cool the planet would have no effect on reducing crop damage from rising temperatures. The study found that lower productivity due to reduced sunlight would negate any benefits of cooler temperatures.
Researchers at Tufts University have developed magnetic elastomeric composites that can flex, grip, release or rotate when exposed to lasers or sunlight. The materials can exhibit complex movements like crawling, walking or swimming and can be triggered and controlled wirelessly using light.
Berkeley Lab researchers have pioneered a nanoscale imaging technique to understand how local properties affect a material's macroscopic performance in water splitting. The study reveals heterogeneity in charge utilization, which may account for the material's efficiency.
A study from Binghamton University found that individuals living in areas with lower sunlight exposure may have a higher risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers suggest that reduced morning light exposure could disrupt the internal biology and external light-dark cycle, leading to increased OCD symptoms.
A study by Michigan Technological University researchers suggests that more than 100 nuclear weapons in a nation's arsenal can destabilize the country and lead to widespread starvation. The authors argue that maintaining such a large number of nuclear weapons is not only counterproductive but also costly.
A University of California, Berkeley team has developed a next-generation water harvester that can extract drinkable water every day/night cycle at very low humidity and at low cost. The harvester uses solar energy to collect water from the air, making it ideal for people living in arid, water-starved areas of the world.
Researchers at USTC have identified a novel pathway that enhances learning capacity by promoting the production of glutamate in the brain. Moderate UV exposure is found to elevate blood urocanic acid levels, which are later converted to glutamate, contributing to improved learning and potential neurobehavioral changes.
New studies show that sunlight transforms oil on the ocean surface more significantly and quickly than previously thought, reducing the effectiveness of chemical dispersants. This process, known as photochemical weathering, alters crude oil into different compounds that dispersants cannot easily break up.
A new study shows that sunlight transforms oil into different compounds that dispersants cannot easily break up, reducing their effectiveness by at least 30 percent. The findings suggest that responders should factor in sunlight when determining the window of opportunity to use dispersants effectively.
Researchers found that sunlight has a significant impact on oil clean-up efforts, decreasing dispersant effectiveness by four-fold. The study's findings suggest that photochemical oxidation, triggered by sunlight, is a dominant weathering process that should be considered in future field manuals and oil spill response guides.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed an artificial leaf that can produce chemicals using sunlight, increasing efficiency by 20%. The 'mini-factory' uses a clever feedback system costing less than 50 euros to automatically adjust production levels.
Researchers find sunlight can activate organic molecules at ocean's surface, forming larger molecules that seed clouds. This process could impact temperature regulation on Earth, with implications for human health and visibility.
Glacier research suggests north-facing ice cliffs contribute significantly to melting of debris-covered glaciers in the Himalayas. Satellites show rapid mass loss, contrary to initial assumptions that debris protects the ice from direct solar radiation.
Researchers at MIT have developed a device that can extract potable water from even the driest of desert air, with relative humidities as low as 10 percent. The system uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and can be powered solely by sunlight.
Researchers have developed a new method to boost the efficiency of photocatalysts using hollow gold-silver nanoshells. This innovation could lead to the production of large amounts of hydrogen gas using only water and sunlight. The technique has the potential to provide a clean and affordable source of energy.
Researchers created thermal blankets to absorb sunlight, melting snow three times faster than natural processes. The eco-friendly solution slashes snow-removal costs and reduces environmental contamination risks.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel catalytic system to split water and make hydrogen using normal sunlight. The new catalyst combines nanostructured black phosphorus for water reduction and bismuth vanadate for water oxidation, achieving an ideal 2:1 ratio of hydrogen and oxygen production.
A breakthrough study by University of Alberta researchers found that fat cells near the skin shrink when exposed to blue light from the sun, reducing fat storage. This discovery may contribute to a new understanding of how our bodies regulate fat production and metabolism.
Two doctoral students at the University of Kansas have demonstrated methods to improve the capture of sunlight in experiments at the Center for Design Research. By analyzing data from a year-long study on rooftop materials, they found that panels installed over green roofs performed best, generating an average of 1.4% more energy compa...
Researchers found that sunlight boosts beneficial microorganisms to combat stem end rot in mango fruits. The study reveals a diverse microbial community with both pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms, suggesting new possibilities for agriculture and food industry.
Penn researchers have developed a method to mimic the solar transformation process of giant clams to improve the production of biofuel. By controlling the size and optical properties of nanoparticles, they can efficiently convert sunlight into energy, mimicking the iridocytes found in giant clam shells.