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Low-cost wafers for solar cells
Silicon wafers are the heart of solar cells. However, manufacturing them is not cheap. Over 50 percent of the pure silicon used is machined into dust. A new manufacturing technique puts an end to these material losses, with raw material savings of 50 percent along with an 80 percent reduction in energy costs.
October 1, 2015 Read more
Researchers recover rare earths from electric and hybrid vehicle motors
To help develop a sustainable domestic supply of rare earth elements, researchers have developed a method of chemically separating these materials from the drive units of discarded electric and hybrid vehicles.
September 30, 2015 Read more
Bold research into recycling CO2 (w/video)
The scientific aims are bold, but the gains can be enormous. The new CADIAC research centre at Aarhus University will be the most ambitious venture in the world to date to find the best methods to convert CO2 into medicine, plastic and useful chemicals. Even on Mars.
September 30, 2015 Read more
Highest efficiency hydrogen production under natural sunlight
Researchers have produced hydrogen under natural sunlight at an energy conversion efficiency of 24.4%, the highest ever achieved, using high efficiency solar cells to power water electrolysis. This is a significant step toward the substitution of fossil fuels with solar hydrogen.
September 30, 2015 Read more
Green storage for green energy grows cleaner (w/video)
A team of scientists and engineers has demonstrated a rechargeable battery that could make storing electricity from intermittently available energy sources, like sun and wind, safe and cost-effective for both residential and commercial use.
September 25, 2015 Read more
Small-scale nuclear fusion may be a new energy source
Fusion energy may soon be used in small-scale power stations. This means producing environmentally friendly heating and electricity at a low cost from fuel found in water. Both heating generators and generators for electricity could be developed within a few years.
September 25, 2015 Read more
Real-time data for smart electric mobility
The ELISE project presents an electronic system that acquires data in real time and exchanges them across borders of systems in a standardized manner.
September 24, 2015 Read more
Water pathways make fuel cells more efficient
Researchers have developed a coating technique in the laboratory that could raise the efficiency of fuel cells.
September 23, 2015 Read more
Sodium-ion batteries are potential power technology of future
The high cost and scarcity of lithium are driving research to develop alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, especially to meet future needs in energy storage.
September 22, 2015 Read more
Report on bioenergy and sustainability to be launched at World Bank
More than 100 experts from around the world contributed to present findings and recommendations on current production and use of bioenergy, as well as growth potential, considering such aspects as land use, feedstocks, technologies, impacts and policies.
September 22, 2015 Read more
The precision of solar photovoltaic power measurements doubled
A new analysis shows that the uncertainty in measurement of power generation from a photovoltaic cell can be more than halved, thus bringing an economic benefit to both manufacturers and investors.
September 18, 2015 Read more
Orange is the new black gold: how peel could replace crude oil in plastics
New research indicates that oranges could have potential far beyond the breakfast table. The chemicals in orange peel could be used as new building blocks in products ranging from plastics to paracetamol - helping to break our reliance on crude oil.
September 15, 2015 Read more
Biodiesel made easier and cleaner with waste-recycling catalyst
Scientists have devised a way of increasing the yield of biodiesel by using the waste left over from its production process.
September 14, 2015 Read more
New catalyst addresses engine efficiency, emissions quandary
The mixed oxide catalyst could solve the longstanding problem of inhibition, in which nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons effectively clog the catalyst designed to cleanse a vehicle's exhaust stream.
September 14, 2015 Read more
Inspired by art, lightweight solar cells track the sun
Solar cells capture up to 40 percent more energy when they can track the sun across the sky, but conventional, motorized trackers are too heavy and bulky for pitched rooftops and vehicle surfaces. Now, by borrowing from kirigami, the ancient Japanese art of paper cutting, researchers have developed solar cells that can have it both ways.
September 8, 2015 Read more
Building efficiency software available as open source code
A set of automated calibration techniques for tuning residential and commercial building energy efficiency software models to match measured data is now available as an open source code.
September 2, 2015 Read more
Making fuel from light
Research sheds light on photosynthesis and creation of solar fuel.
September 2, 2015 Read more
New technique lowers cost of energy-efficient embedded computer systems
Electrical and computer engineers have developed a new technique for creating less-expensive, low-power embedded systems - the computing devices found in everything from thermostats to automobiles.
September 1, 2015 Read more