Articles tagged with Thermal Energy
The integration of ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems with energy piles offers a promising solution to address the growing urban heat island effect and reduce electricity consumption in smart cities. This technology provides efficient heating and cooling, reduces carbon emissions, and promotes sustainable urban development.
Researchers have designed a thermochromic smart window that can regulate temperature, reducing energy consumption by 10-50 MJ/m2. The device offers high visible transmissivity and broadband infrared modulation, enabling all-season energy savings.
Researchers at UVA confirmed a key principle governing heat flow in thin metal films, providing a breakthrough in understanding thermal conductivity. The validation of Matthiessen's rule paves the way for refining materials that interconnect circuits in advanced computer chips.
A UCF researcher is developing a thermochemical energy storage system to reserve solar energy for future use and contribute to the global transition to clean energy. The system uses chemical reactions to absorb or release heat, making it an advantageous way to store energy at high temperatures.
The university's refurbishment project uses waste heat to provide heating to the Joseph Priestly Building and district heating system, reducing fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The initiative is expected to yield substantial energy cost savings and enhance the data center's capacity for high-performance computing.
Researchers at Drexel University investigated natural ventilation strategies in historic homes to understand how their inherent energy-efficient features can inform modern energy conservation efforts. The study found that passive cooling and cross-ventilation can achieve energy savings and improve thermal comfort, particularly in hot a...
A team of researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy Ames National Laboratory developed a magnetocaloric heat pump that matches current vapor-compression technology in terms of weight, cost, and performance. The device eliminates refrigerant emissions and requires less energy to operate, offering a promising alternative for cooling...
Researchers on the ISS National Lab have leveraged microgravity to study fundamental physical phenomena, such as heat transfer, combustion, and fluid dynamics. These discoveries hold potential for advances in pharmaceuticals, energy production, materials manufacturing, and more.
Researchers demonstrate transverse thermoelectric conversion in WSi2 for the first time, using mixed-dimensional Fermi surfaces to enable TTE effect. The study paves the way for developing new sensors and efficient thermoelectric materials.
A new microwave-assisted synthesis route has improved the performance of a coordination polymer photocatalyst, achieving a record-breaking value for CO2-to-formate conversion with a nearly ten-fold increase in apparent quantum yield. The improvements are attributed to well-crystallized material and surface area increases.
Researchers discovered a new component of the peripheral nervous system that acts by increasing energy metabolism in the body. This finding paves the way for simpler and cheaper drugs to control obesity and weight gain.
Researchers identify a quantum mechanism as key to accelerating ocean temperatures, which current climate models fail to predict. The study proposes a new paradigm that factors in non-thermal energy, suggesting a revised approach to understanding ocean thermal stability and climate change.
Rice engineers create a new thermal emitter that achieves efficiencies of over 60% despite practical design constraints, opening possibilities for more sustainable industrial processes and renewable energy growth. The technology could inform the development of grid-scale alternative storage solutions and power space applications.
Scientists have created a thermoacoustic engine that converts thermal energy into acoustic energy, which can be transformed into mechanical or electrical energy. The device has the potential to generate power ranging from tens to thousands of watts and could be used for camping, backpacking, and emergency situations.
A UCF researcher is working with PACCAR to create a hydrogen-based combustion engine for heavy-duty vehicles, aiming to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The project aims to develop a cleaner alternative to diesel fuel, which is currently the dominant choice for commercial vehicles.
Thermochemical materials show potential for load flexibility in building heating systems, enabling reduced electrical requirements and load shifting. The technology's performance is significantly impacted by humidity levels, making indoor air a key factor in its integration.
A new Harvard study finds humans possess higher metabolic rates than primates and apes, allowing for bigger brains, longer lifespan, and increased reproduction. Humans have 'escaped a tradeoff' between resting and active metabolism due to unique sweating ability.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have confirmed a key principle governing heat flow in thin metal films, paving the way for advancements in technology and more efficient devices. The study validated Matthiessen's rule in ultra-thin copper films, providing a blueprint to mitigate thermal bottlenecks.
The project aims to identify and fabricate optimized first-wall materials using advanced computer simulations enhanced by machine learning, accelerating the discovery of new materials by 100-fold. The research will leverage synthesis, irradiation, and testing facilities to conduct a high-impact materials discovery campaign.
Researchers have developed a new field called stochastic thermodynamics, which provides tools to investigate and quantify the energetics of computational systems far from thermal equilibrium. This can help minimize heat losses and optimize energy efficiency in computing.
Rice University researchers developed an electrochemical reactor to reduce energy consumption in direct air capture. The new design has achieved industrially relevant rates of carbon dioxide regeneration and offers flexibility, scalability, and lower capital costs.
Osaka Metropolitan University researchers developed a new approach to analyze the 3D structure of lab-made photosynthetic antenna protein complex LHCII. Their findings validated natural antenna mimicry in artificial photosynthesis, showing only minor differences between lab-created and natural LHCII.
Researchers analyzed a thermophotovoltaic system paired with phase-change materials for energy storage and found slight reductions in costs. The study identified key factors affecting TPV system costs, highlighting the need for future research to improve adoption and efficiency.
Researchers developed a novel approach to regulate temperature based on gold structure concentration, improving spin wave transfer efficiency. This innovation has promising potential for future applications using spin waves and addresses the persistent issue of heat generation in electronic devices.
Researchers at WVU have developed microwave technology to recover propylene from polypropylene waste, which can be reused in new plastics or products. The process uses precise control and lower temperatures than traditional methods, offering energy efficiency and reduced emissions.
Researchers review recent advancements in phase-change VO₂-based thermochromic smart windows, highlighting their potential to balance thermal comfort and lighting. The study covers various doping strategies and fabrication techniques, offering new insights into developing energy-efficient buildings.
Next-generation passive radiative cooling technology offers an electricity- and refrigerant-free cooling solution, potentially reducing surface temperature by at least 2°C. The innovation has promising application potential in buildings, roads, and clothing, addressing issues such as urban heat islands and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers have confirmed that fractures can form in superhot, superdeep rock, making it more permeable and potentially increasing its economic value. This breakthrough could lead to the development of cleaner, more efficient geothermal energy sources.
A new process developed by Lehigh University researchers uses evaporative ion exchange (EIX) to concentrate hypersaline brine at room temperature, avoiding scaling and fouling. The process has shown promising results in concentrating salts from hypersaline water, with the potential for widespread use.
Researchers at Lehigh University have pioneered a method to create customizable ceramics using solid-state synthesis, enabling advances in electronics and energy conversion. The team aims to produce functional materials with tailored geometries that can be used in thermoelectric devices and other applications.
A new study estimates that cool roofs could have saved up to 249 lives in London during the 2018 record-setting hot summer. If widely adopted, cool roofs would reduce the city's ambient temperature by about 0.8 degrees C on average.
Researchers at UCF are developing materials that allow electricity to move through devices without creating heat, potentially transforming how technology is built and powered. If successful, this could lead to a long-term solution for humankind and the way we consume our natural resources.
A new study suggests that using state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies can enable Europe's construction sector to almost eliminate its carbon emissions by 2060. Employing technologies like solar energy and heat pumps can reduce total energy used for heating and cooling buildings by up to 97%.
Researchers have created a single-step method for producing Invar alloys with zero CO2 emissions and improved mechanical strength. The new process integrates metal extraction, alloying, and thermomechanical processing into one reactor step.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new organic thermoelectric device that can generate power from ambient temperature. The device, composed of copper phthalocyanine and fullerenes, achieved an open-circuit voltage of 384 mV and a short-circuit current density of 1.1 μA/cm².
Researchers found that migrating blackbirds do not save energy in warmer climates, but instead reduce their metabolism before departure. The study reveals a previously unknown mechanism used by migrants to save energy prior to migration, and suggests alternative physiological adaptations may offset the energy costs of migration.
Researchers have developed a new optical atomic clock that uses a single laser and doesn't require cryogenic temperatures, achieving similar performance to traditional clocks. The innovative design eliminates the need for extreme cooling, allowing for hot atoms and a simplified clock architecture.
Snowmelt rates vary by slope orientation and receive varying amounts of solar radiation. The study found that burned south-facing slopes accumulate less snow and melt earlier than other aspects due to increased solar radiation absorption. This understanding will improve models and tools for water managers.
Researchers develop AI-driven catalyst discovery and simulate complex interactions to enhance hydrogen generation, carbon capture, and energy storage efficiency. The project aims to create a knowledgeable and skilled workforce capable of addressing critical challenges in the clean energy transition.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have made a significant step in understanding the fundamental constraints on noise, paving the way for future nanoelectronics. The study investigated thermoelectric heat engines at the nanoscale and found a critical trade-off between noise and power.
A team of researchers discovered a class of materials that mimic the behavior of axons by spontaneously amplifying electrical pulses. These materials can harness internal instabilities to create spiking behavior and amplify signals, potentially leading to more efficient computing and artificial intelligence.
The university-led project aims to reduce carbon emissions through innovative extraction methods, such as electromagnetic heating for heavy oil recovery. It will also provide educational and research opportunities to students from minority-serving institutions, promoting diversity and inclusion in the scientific community.
Researchers developed a new type of temperature-adaptive radiative cooling device with improved performance, reducing solar absorptance by 7.54% and increasing emissivity by 13.3%. This advancement holds promise for optimizing energy use and advancing sustainable thermal management solutions.
A Pusan National University study reveals that increases in clear-sky downwelling longwave radiation and surface albedo feedback are the dominant factors behind Greenland's surface warming. This finding has significant implications for predicting future climate impacts and preventing further ice sheet melting.
The research team developed a Zero Energy-based transparent radiative cooling technology that maintains transparency while enabling cooling without using electricity. They also created a Plus Energy-based smart window technology that generates electricity through the friction generated by raindrops on rainy days.
A team of researchers has demonstrated a novel way of storing and releasing X-ray pulses at the single photon level, enabling future X-ray quantum technologies. This breakthrough uses nuclear ensembles to create long-lived quantum memories with improved coherence times.
Researchers at Lehigh University use mayonnaise to simulate the phases of Rayleigh-Taylor instability in nuclear fusion, which could inform the design of future inertial confinement fusion processes. The team found that understanding the transition between elastic and stable plastic phases is critical for controlling the instability.
A new study reveals that Meteorin-like protein saps energy from T cells, severely limiting their ability to fight cancer. By understanding this signaling pathway, researchers may be able to develop targeted treatments to restore metabolic health and enhance the immune system's power against tumors.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a loop heat pipe that can transport up to 10 kW of waste heat without electricity, surpassing previous records. This technology has significant implications for energy efficiency and sustainability, particularly in the electric vehicle industry where it can reduce the need for electrical power.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are developing a two-phase cooling system that efficiently dissipates heat from server chips through phase change. This innovative system drastically reduces the amount of energy needed to keep equipment cool, with early tests showing significant reductions.
Researchers developed a crystalline solid that can adsorb and release ammonia, making it easy to recover. The material's high density and ease of desorption make it a promising solution for efficient hydrogen storage.
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 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.
Scientists at European XFEL have developed a new method to study warm dense matter, allowing for unprecedented insights into its structure and properties. This breakthrough enables the investigation of plasmons in ambient aluminum with ultra-high-resolution X-ray Thomson scattering.
A team of researchers from the University of Kansas has discovered a microscopic mechanism that explains why a new class of organic semiconductors outperforms others. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells and photocatalysts for producing solar fuels, revolutionizing the clean energy sector.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute tracked the heart rates of male common noctule bats during flights, revealing a significant increase in heart rate from 6 to 900 beats per minute. The study found that bats consume up to 42% more energy in summer compared to spring, and develop unique strategies to survive in different seasons.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine has shown that pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation. The study analyzed over 17,600 patients and found no significant risk of esophageal damage or other complications, increasing confidence in the use of PFA technology.
Boris Yakobson aims to transform the future of advanced materials through Rice University research. His projects focus on developing predictive synthesis models and automating the search for new materials, with applications in energy and electronics.
Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology have developed a technology that can harness surplus heat from industrial processes to produce drinking water and generate electricity. The technology, called membrane distillation, uses thermal osmosis to separate water from impurities.
A study published in PLOS Climate found that childhood home temperatures and community connectedness can help predict how U.S. residents set their thermostats. The researchers surveyed 2,128 participants and found that those who grew up in cold-winter locales tend to dial up their thermostats higher than those raised in warmer homes.