Articles tagged with Sunlight
A team from MIT and University of Verona has discovered the key protein in a defense mechanism called photoprotection, which allows plants to dissipate excess energy from sunlight. This process is crucial for plant survival but limits biomass production.
A new study shows that rooftop concentrating photovoltaics can produce over 50% more energy than standard silicon solar cells, reaching 30% efficiency in outdoor testing. The system's embedded microtracking technology enables efficient tracking of the sun and maximizes energy production.
A new study by Dr Nick Pullen and his team reveals that plant growth is actually 'sink-limited', meaning genetic regulation and cell division rates control growth. This finding has significant implications for the agricultural industry, including potential improvements in crop yields and climate modeling.
Researchers from Stockholm University found that the inorganic component of sea spray particles takes up less water, resulting in smaller particle size and reduced sunlight reflection. This discovery challenges existing climate models and highlights the importance of understanding sea spray's role in the atmosphere.
Researchers developed a new antireflection film using moth-eye-like nanostructures, exhibiting low reflection and excellent optical behavior. The film also shows improved scratch resistance and self-cleaning capabilities, making it suitable for flexible displays.
A team of UK and Argentinean chemists developed a catalyst that mimics the Z-scheme mechanism of photosynthesis, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. The catalyst, combining cuprous oxide and titanium dioxide, transfers electrons to CO2 while breaking water molecules.
A KAUST team has found that transition-metal carbides, known as MXenes, can trap sunlight energy to purify water through evaporation. The Ti3C2 MXene achieved 100% efficiency in converting light to heat, while other materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene also showed high efficiency.
Researchers at UC Berkeley and MIT have developed a solar-powered harvester that can collect water from the air even in extremely dry conditions. The device uses a metal-organic framework to absorb water vapor, which is then condensed and collected using sunlight as power.
A team of scientists has created a novel photothermocatalytic reaction that reduces CO2 to form useful carbon sources, opening new avenues for efficient CO2 conversion. The process utilizes powdered elemental boron as an all-in-one catalyst, light harvester, and hydrogen source.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of nanomaterials that can harness sunlight to drive chemical reactions. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar panels and new technologies for destroying pollutants and cleaning water.
A circadian hospital lighting system significantly reduced depressive mood symptoms among stroke patients admitted for long-term rehabilitation. Blue light exposure was found to boost alertness and elevate mood, leading researchers to recommend its inclusion as part of rehabilitation unit environments.
Researchers found that male flies are attracted to specific flash frequencies from female wings, with a preference for young females' slower wing beats of 178Hz. The study suggests that wing movement contributes to mate selection and may be a common phenomenon in other insects.
Researchers created a solar still that converts water to vapor very efficiently, with only 12% of available energy lost during evaporation. The device can produce 3-10 liters of water per day, making it an ideal solution for small communities in developing areas and regions affected by natural disasters.
Researchers have developed an artificial leaf that converts sunlight into hydrogen fuel with improved efficiency, mimicking the natural process of underwater photosynthesis. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and providing a cheap, stable hydrogen fuel source.
Chemical engineers develop prototype reactor shaped like a leaf to capture sunlight and generate chemical reactions for drug production. The LSC material enhances the reaction process, increasing productivity by 40% even on cloudy days.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that sunlight, through a separate mechanism from vitamin D production, increases the movement of T cells. This activation enhances immune response and may have therapeutic potential for boosting immunity.
Researchers conclude that vitamin D supplementation does not improve musculoskeletal outcomes such as falls or fractures. For those at high risk of deficiency, sunlight exposure and diet should be prioritized, with low-dose supplements considered on an individual basis.
An international team of researchers visualized the process by which plants split water to produce oxygen using X-ray free-electron laser technology. This breakthrough enables the study of oxygen molecule formation and paves the way for the development of efficient clean hydrogen fuel devices.
A large international study found that living in northerly climes is linked to an earlier age of starting MS symptoms. The study analyzed data from over 22,000 patients and found that each 10° increase in latitude was associated with a 10-month earlier onset.
Brazilian researchers have identified a new species of dragonfly named Erythrodiplax ana, characterized by its brown spot on each wingtip and bluish waxy body coating. The discovery highlights the importance of urban areas as habitats for biodiversity, with the species found near a spring used to draw off water in an urban area.
Researchers at MIT create a bubble-wrapped, sponge-like device that captures ambient sunlight and concentrates it to heat water to boiling temperatures. The structure achieves 20% conversion efficiency and can be used for desalination, residential heating, wastewater treatment, and medical tool sterilization.
A team of scientists has discovered a class of materials that can surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit, allowing for more efficient solar cell conversion. By using a barium titanate crystal, they were able to extract power from a small portion of the sunlight spectrum with higher efficiency than previously thought possible.
Researchers have created a thin polymer layer that oscillates spontaneously in visible light, leading to potential self-cleaning surfaces. The material's unique behavior is attributed to the bending and stretching of light-sensitive molecules under visible light, resulting in vibration and possible applications in various fields.
Scientists at the University of Basel and Zurich have successfully reproduced one of natural photosynthesis' key phases with artificial molecules. They stored two negative charges for 870 nanoseconds, paving the way to harnessing sunlight into chemical energy.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will study asteroid Bennu in detail, collecting a sample to be analyzed on Earth. Four top-level maps will guide the sample collection process, assessing safety, navigation, surface material, and scientific value.
Researchers have modified microalgae to produce complex molecules using sunlight, enabling efficient production of pharmaceutical compounds. The method offers a sustainable and renewable energy-based solution for producing chemicals, potentially replacing traditional methods that rely on plants or yeast.
Researchers at UNSW have developed a new solar cell configuration that delivers a world-record 34.5% efficiency in sunlight-to-electricity conversion, nudging closer to the theoretical limits of such devices. The device uses a four-junction mini-module with a hybrid receiver to extract maximum energy from unfocussed sunlight.
A new NASA analysis of satellite data suggests that the expansion of the tropics is causing high altitude clouds to shift towards the poles. This shift affects Earth's climate by altering the amount of sunlight reaching the surface.
An international team led by IU biologist David M. Kehoe uncovered the regulation of a system that allows Synechococcus to efficiently capture sunlight and perform photosynthesis. The study also provides insight into how genes can be easily transferred between cells in the marine environment through horizontal gene transfer.
Researchers discovered that Saharan silver ant hairs use total internal reflection to reflect sunlight, resulting in a bright silver color. This adaptation allows the ants to stay up to 2°C cooler under simulated sunlight, making them well-suited for desert survival.
Research assistant professor Ezra Wood will investigate nighttime atmospheric chemistry of wildfires and their effect on climate. The study aims to quantify hydrogen oxide radicals and understand how long compounds last in the air.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a method to break down plant biomass using sunlight, potentially producing biofuels and biochemicals. The process, known as reverse photosynthesis, uses enzymes and chlorophyll to accelerate chemical reactions, reducing pollution and increasing production speed.
A new study from the University of Kansas suggests that a mother's increased vitamin D levels during the second trimester may lower her child's chance of developing asthma. The research found that increased sunlight exposure, which is where Americans get most of their vitamin D, reduces the risk of asthma in children.
A team of astronomers using HARPS spectrograph detected the motion of bright spots on Ceres, suggesting they are composed of volatile materials that evaporate in sunlight. The study revealed unexpected variations in the spots' brightness due to the action of solar radiation.
A new multilayered photoelectrode boosts the ability of solar water-splitting to produce hydrogen by absorbing visible light from the sun. The two-dimensional hybrid metal-dielectric structure shows significant enhancement in photo-catalytic applications, making it a promising technology for efficient hydrogen production.
Researchers developed a glass coating that boosts solar cell efficiency by up to 27.7% and repels dust and pollution, addressing the issue of fixed panel angles and self-cleaning capabilities.
Researchers found that most climate models underestimate the increase in absorption of sunlight by water vapor, leading to overestimation of global precipitation. The team's study suggests that improving radiation representation in models can lead to more accurate predictions of future precipitation change.
A new process removes contaminants from oil sands wastewater using sunlight and nanoparticles, offering a more effective and inexpensive alternative to conventional treatment methods. The technology breaks down persistent pollutants into individual atoms, completely removing them from the water.
A new study from the University of Manchester found that children treated with growth hormone for deficiency show varying rates of growth depending on their latitude and summer daylight exposure. The study of 118 children aged 5-11 from 14 countries suggests a complex relationship between sunlight, genetics, and bone growth.
Researchers designed a new tool called Sunlight to bring transparency to the Web, analyzing numerous inputs and outputs together to form hypotheses about personal data use effects. The study found that sensitive information was used to target ads and recommendations, violating companies' advertising policies.
Researchers develop a technology that shunts away heat generated by solar cells, cooling them and improving efficiency. The transparent overlay allows sunlight to hit the cells while radiating heat into space.
A team of researchers has achieved an unprecedented 14% efficiency in solar hydrogen production, breaking a 17-year-old record. The breakthrough involves a patented photo-electrochemical process that enhances long-term stability and boosts energy output.
A Neolithic skeleton from Scotland reveals the earliest case of rickets in the UK, dating back over 3,000 years. The woman's diet and lifestyle suggest she suffered from Vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sunlight, highlighting unusual circumstances that led to her condition.
Researchers have created artificial plants that can produce methane and butanol using semiconducting nanowires and bacteria. This technology has the potential to replace fossil fuels with a sustainable and efficient alternative.
The University of Rochester team aims to reduce the cost of electricity from solar power by replacing expensive panels with plastic solar concentrators. Their planar light guide using micro-optics can concentrate direct sunlight onto a single photovoltaic cell, reducing the need for expensive PV cells.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have developed an artificial leaf that can harness sunlight to produce hydrogen fuels, achieving a high efficiency rate. The system consists of three components: photoanode, photocathode, and membrane, which work together to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen gas.
Researchers have developed a new glass paint that can reflect all sunlight and passively radiate heat, keeping metal surfaces up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than ambient temperature. This coating has potential applications on naval ships, roofs, and playground equipment, offering environmental benefits and durability.
Tiny marine organisms produce airborne gases and organic matter to seed cloud droplets, leading to brighter clouds that reflect more sunlight. This process affects the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's surface, with implications for global climate.
A recent study from the University of Edinburgh found that a slow-down in global warming is likely due to natural variation and not a sign of climate change ending. The research analyzed over 200 years' worth of temperature data and supported previous findings that short-term pauses are temporary.
New research reveals that marine plankton in the Southern Ocean produce airborne gases and organic matter to seed cloud droplets, leading to brighter clouds. The study found correlations between phytoplankton blooms and increased cloud droplet concentrations, which reflect about 4 watts of solar energy per square meter.
The remnants of Hurricane Blanca are blanketing northern Baja California and mainland Mexico with disorganized storm clouds. NASA's GOES-West satellite captured an infrared image revealing the system's rapid disruption by high terrain, leading to dissipation later in the day.
A National Research Council committee recommends exploring CO2 removal strategies, while cautioning against sunlight-reflecting tactics due to environmental and health risks. The committee calls for increased research into all climate intervention possibilities to address the urgent need to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study published in Environment International found that people living near the coast in England have higher vitamin D levels than those inland. The research linked sunlight data to vitamin D levels, revealing a strong correlation between coastal living and improved vitamin D levels.
Researchers developed a microscale solar concentration technology that enables ultra-high efficiency solar cells to be used on rooftops. The system consists of miniaturized photovoltaic cells, 3D-printed lens arrays and a moveable focusing mechanism, reducing size, weight and cost while increasing power generation.
A University of Minnesota study shows that a warmer climate will change the composition of northern forests, with oak and maple trees replacing spruce and fir. The study found that oaks and maples are better suited to warmer temperatures and can outcompete boreal species for sunlight and water.
Scientists have developed a unique combination of light and climate simulation to optimize algae cultivation, leading to higher yields and more efficient energy production. The system uses spectrum-tuned LEDs to simulate natural sunlight, allowing for precise control over the growth conditions of different algae species.
UNSW researchers have successfully converted over 40% of sunlight into electricity, exceeding previous records. The breakthrough is made possible by a custom optical bandpass filter that captures wasted sunlight and converts it at a higher efficiency than commercial solar cells.
Researchers have made significant strides toward a stand-alone system for large-scale, low-cost production of hydrogen fuel. The team's nanowire mesh design harnesses sunlight to split water and harvest hydrogen, offering a promising solution for environmentally friendly energy production.
Researchers develop composite material that harnesses visible light to degrade endocrine disruptors, including BPA and phenol, in a promising breakthrough. The method offers a more efficient alternative to existing ultraviolet light-based approaches.
A new nanoparticle-based material developed by the University of California, San Diego, can absorb and convert over 90 percent of sunlight into heat. This breakthrough aims to improve concentrating solar power plants' efficiency, making them more competitive with traditional energy sources.