Articles tagged with Sunlight
Researchers at Boston College have successfully harnessed the power of sunlight to synthesize basic compounds of pain-killing drugs using silicon nanowires. The process offers high selectivity required to produce complex organic intermediaries, differing from earlier attempts to harness carbon dioxide with sunlight.
Researchers developed coatings that use nanoparticles to interact with sunlight and break down pollutants like nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxides. The coating is thin, adaptable, and durable, making it suitable for construction materials.
The new device splits water into hydrogen and oxygen gas, releasing hydrogen for fuel cells to make electricity. It employs abundant Earth materials, replacing expensive metals like platinum.
Researchers at the University of Hull are developing a system to produce constant supplies of sterile water, eliminating the need for chemicals or electricity in remote communities. The device uses porphyrin molecules that react to sunlight to kill bacteria and parasites, making the water safe for healing wounds.
Researchers found that adding lime juice to water treated with solar disinfection removed detectable levels of E. coli significantly faster than solar disinfection alone. The treatment time was comparable to boiling and other household methods, making it a potential effective solution for improving water quality in low-income regions.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed greener solar cells that use bacteria to improve efficiency and reduce toxicity. The new technology, led by Ayomi Perera, combines a less toxic dye with a harmless bacterium to generate electricity from sunlight.
Researchers found that butterfly wings' 'art of blackness' can boost the production of green fuels by doubling the hydrogen gas produced from water and sunlight. The team created computer models to confirm this filtering effect, which allows shorter wavelengths of light to reach a membrane below the scales.
Researcher Russell Chesney hypothesizes that 18th century London's crowded living conditions, poor diets, and low sunlight exposure contributed to high rates of rickets and tuberculosis in children like Tiny Tim. Improved nutrition, vitamin D from sunlight and cod liver oil could have prevented the boy's fatal condition
A new study found that children living in areas with lower levels of sunlight are at greater risk of developing food allergies and eczema. The research team analyzed data from Australian children and found a link between latitude and allergies to peanut and egg, as well as a higher prevalence of eczema in the south compared to the north.
New research suggests that sunshade geoengineering may actually increase crop yields in most regions, alleviating temperature stress and improving productivity. However, the approach carries risks, including unintended consequences on precipitation and deployment-related conflicts.
A prototype water purification reactor containing a thin film of titanium dioxide demonstrates enhanced natural disinfection properties. The device can kill pathogens up to 10 times more effectively than conventional solar disinfection methods, making it suitable for countries with sunny climates and scarce resources.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new design that reduces land requirements and increases sunlight collection for concentrated solar power plants. By arranging mirrors in a sunflower-inspired spiral pattern, the team achieved a 20% increase in energy generation and significant cost savings.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a way to capture hot electrons, increasing the efficiency of solar cells to 44 percent. By exploiting a 'dark state' in organic plastic semiconductor materials, they found that two electrons can be generated from one photon of sunlight.
Scientists have developed a new cotton fabric that uses a titanium dioxide coating to clean itself of stains and bacteria when exposed to ordinary sunlight. The coating accelerates discoloration processes and remains intact after washing and drying.
The study reveals that an intact DNA backbone is essential for the formation of Dewar lesions, which can lead to genetic mutations and cell death. An intact backbone keeps the molecule rigid, straining the pyrimidine ring structure and favoring the reaction that leads to stable Dewar lesions.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new material that emits a long-lasting near-infrared glow after a single minute of exposure to sunlight. The material has potential biomedical applications, including visualizing cancer cells, and can be used for military and law enforcement illumination.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratories and Penn State have developed a new solar concentrator design that improves light collection efficiency. The new design achieves near-lossless propagation for several different chromophores, enabling a more than twofold increase in concentration ratio compared to conventional LSCs.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered a natural UV filter called scytonemin that can protect against skin damage and allergies. The substance, produced by certain cyanobacteria, absorbs UV light without breaking down, making it a promising alternative to chemical-based sunscreens.
Researchers quantify urban 'heat island' effect for the first time, showing its modest contribution to global warming. The study reveals that white roofs do not reduce the urban heat island effect and may even cause a net global warming due to increased cloudiness.
Researchers propose molecular circuitry design inspired by natural light-harvesting systems to capture and utilize sunlight efficiently. Natural photosynthesis provides a model for efficient energy storage and transfer, enabling the development of sophisticated energy grids.
African-American men are up to 3.5 times more likely to have Vitamin D deficiency than Caucasian men, requiring higher supplementation doses. Skin color and sunlight exposure play a crucial role in Vitamin D production.
A study found that African-American men living in low-sunlight areas are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. Researchers recommend stratified recommendations to consider group differences, as skin composition affects vitamin D production.
A team of researchers has proposed a method to harness parabolic mirrors to drive solar-powered lasers, achieving an impressive 35% conversion rate. The new solar lasers would concentrate light with a small parabolic mirror, strike a ceramic disk, and emit laser light of a specific wavelength.
Optofluidics, the study of microfluidics combined with optics, is poised to revolutionize energy production. By directing light and concentrating its use, optofluidics can increase efficiency in existing systems like biofuel reactors and solar cells, as well as innovate new forms of energy production.
Duke University engineer Nico Hotz proposes a hybrid system that uses sunlight to heat water and methanol, producing hydrogen more efficiently than current technology. The resulting hydrogen can be stored and used as fuel, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers at UCLA have created a novel concept for harvesting and recycling energy from LCD screens, which can convert ambient light into electricity. This technology has the potential to improve the efficiency of LCD displays and potentially harvest 75% of wasted photons from LCD backlights.
Researchers from the University of Manchester and consortium partners are working on harnessing solar energy to produce hydrogen fuel. The technology has potential to revolutionize energy usage in the coming decades by creating clean, green fuels.
A Baylor University study found that sunlight reduces the toxicity of golden algae, which kills millions of fish every year. The research suggests that longer exposure to natural sunlight decreases the algal toxin's effect on fish and other aquatic organisms.
Researchers study plant photosynthesis to harness efficient sunlight absorption for solar energy. The antenna structure in plants can adapt to environmental changes, regulating its own light harvesting capabilities.
Scientists have engineered a cheap and abundant alternative to platinum-based catalysts, enabling the production of hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. This discovery is crucial for creating a sustainable green energy economy.
Researchers found that clouds cool the earth's surface by several percent, but scattered light can warm it. The effect depends on the measured visible-spectrum wavelength and whether light is direct or scattered.
Researchers found a strong association between low sunlight exposure and an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who have had infectious mononucleosis. The study, published in the April 2011 issue of Neurology, suggests that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in this association.
Research suggests that high vitamin D levels are associated with a reduced risk of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women under 75. Higher vitamin D intake from food and supplements is linked to lower AMD risk, while sun exposure does not show a significant correlation.
A new polymer-based solar-thermal device collects both solar energy and heat, providing a more efficient way to heat homes. The device has shown 30% efficiency in converting solar energy to power, outperforming standard solar cells with a conversion efficiency of up to 8%.
A Swedish study found that sunlight influences the body's ability to break down medicines, with seasonal variations in drug concentrations closely linked to vitamin D levels. This may lead to increased sensitivity to certain medications, highlighting a new model for understanding individual differences in drug effects.
New research suggests that increasing vitamin D3 supplies through sunlight exposure may be a safe and effective therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Studies found that patients with the highest vitamin D3 supplies experienced fewer attacks and slower disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and industry experts predict a range of exciting new electronic devices in the near term and beyond. These include color e-readers with high-speed functionality, electronic shelf labels that can be updated in seconds, and flexible screens for new applications like signage and Glow Boards.
Researchers confirmed that citric acid reacts with sunlight to harvest energy and form purple-colored nanoparticles, a potential green energy source.
Researchers developed a planar microfluidic reactor that harnesses sunlight to break down contaminants in water using photocatalysis. The technology has shown dramatic improvements in efficiency, with plans to scale up the process for industrial water treatment applications.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a new type of solar cell that can self-repair like natural photosynthetic systems. The technology uses carbon nanotubes and DNA to continuously replace damaged dye molecules, mimicking nature's self-repair mechanism.
Researchers have found a finely tuned process that enables plants to adjust their genes to daylight patterns, shedding light on human responses to disrupted daily rhythms. This discovery could provide new insights into coping with jet lag and shift work.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered how sunscreens break down in sunlight, leading to an increase in contact allergy. The study has led to the development of a new test for photocontact allergy, which could help patients avoid substances that cause allergic reactions.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found dew essential for plant growth in semi-arid zones like the Eastern Mediterranean. Dew provides moisture to plant leaves, enabling photosynthesis and growth during early morning hours.
Researchers create panels that can harness hygroelectricity, a phenomenon where water in the atmosphere picks up an electrical charge. This technology has the potential to provide renewable energy, especially in humid regions like the northeastern and southeastern US.
Researchers at MIT have created a novel set of self-assembling molecules that can turn sunlight into electricity and spontaneously reassemble after degradation. The system, which includes carbon nanotubes and phospholipids, has an efficiency of around 40%, nearly double that of current commercial solar cells.
A new study shows that sunlight drives asteroids to split in two and move far apart, forming binary and divorced binaries. The research suggests that many of these binaries likely originated from asteroid fission, with smaller asteroids separating at low velocities.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists, led by Caltech's Nathan S. Lewis, will partner with institutions like Berkeley Lab to develop a method to produce fuels directly from sunlight. The goal is to simulate nature's photosynthetic apparatus for practical energy production.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists led by California Institute of Technology will receive funding to develop an integrated solar energy-to-chemical fuel conversion system. The goal is to produce fuels directly from sunlight, reducing dependence on oil and enhancing energy security.
A new study found that people tend to trust advice from advisors with disclosed conflicts of interest more than those without, leading to overestimation of property values. Despite the risks, transparency is still desirable when implemented correctly.
The new guidelines recommend daily supplements of 400 to 1000 IU for adults under 50 without osteoporosis, increasing to 800-2000 IU for those over 50. Canadians can safely take daily vitamin D supplements up to 2000 IU without medical supervision.
Research by Duke University scientists reveals that seawater's higher concentrations of mercury make saltwater fish like tuna and shark more toxic to humans. Methylmercury latches onto dissolved organic matter in freshwater, but tightly binds to chloride in seawater, where sunlight can't break it down as easily.
Researchers found an association between sun-sensitizing medications and the development of cortical cataract in a study of 4,926 individuals. The study suggests that increased UV-B exposure may be a critical factor in this link.
A genome-wide study has identified four common gene variants associated with blood levels of vitamin D and an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Individuals inheriting multiple risk-associated variants had more than twice the risk of vitamin D deficiency as those without these variants.
A new photoprotein, proteorhodopsin, allows marine bacteria to harness sunlight energy and survive periods of starvation. This process enhances their survival in nutrient-depleted ocean environments.
A team of MIT researchers has developed a novel method to mimic photosynthesis by splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen atoms using modified viruses as biological scaffolding. This process can be powered directly by sunlight, skipping intermediate steps, and shows fourfold improvement in efficiency.
Researchers create artificial leaf-like structures that can harness sunlight and water to produce hydrogen fuel, increasing activity by a factor of ten compared to commercial photo-catalysts. The 'Artificial Inorganic Leaf' (AIL) mimics natural leaves' structural features for improved light harvesting efficiency.
Researchers found that moderate levels of UV radiation reduced MS symptoms in mice, suggesting a potential link between sunlight and the disease. The study suggests that compounds produced in the skin may play a role in blocking autoimmune damage, paving the way for potential new treatments.
A new bio-based intelligent roof coating, developed from waste cooking oil, can automatically switch between reflecting and transmitting solar heat to reduce energy costs. The coating, tested on asphalt shingles, showed significant reductions in roof temperatures and potential savings in energy bills.
A large case-control study found that men with higher occupational sunlight exposure had a reduced risk of kidney cancer. Vitamin D, metabolized in the kidneys, may play a role in preventing some cancers.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a method to increase light-trapping in solar cells by using vertical arrays of silicon nanowires. This approach can potentially achieve higher efficiencies and lower costs, making it an attractive candidate for large-scale solar energy production.