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Harvesting electrical energy from mechanical vibrations
The new method can be used in harvesting energy from mechanical vibrations of the environment and converting it into electricity. Energy harvesters are needed, for example, in wireless self-powered sensors and medical implants, where they could ultimately replace batteries.
November 10, 2014 Read more
New Master's Program in Energy Conservation is first of its kind
A new professional master's program will launch at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in fall 2015 and become the first in the world specifically designed to train analytically minded students to evaluate energy efficiency and other resource-conservation initiatives.
November 9, 2014 Read more
Your own energy 'island'? Microgrid could standardize small, self-sustaining electric grids
'Islanding', or isolating, from the grid, is a fundamental benefit of microgrids - small systems powered by renewables and energy storage devices. The benefit is that microgrids can disconnect from larger utility grids and continue to provide power locally.
November 7, 2014 Read more
Wind energy reaches greater heights
Startup's on-site fabrication process makes taller wind turbines more feasible.
November 6, 2014 Read more
Novel sodium-conducting material could improve rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable battery manufacturers may get a jolt from research where a team of scientists has discovered a safe, inexpensive, sodium-conducting material that significantly outperforms all others in its class.
November 5, 2014 Read more
Engineers create fuel cell that can run at room temperature
Engineers developed the first room-temperature fuel cell that uses enzymes to help jet fuel produce electricity without needing to ignite the fuel. These new fuel cells can be used to power portable electronics, off-grid power and sensors.
November 5, 2014 Read more
Innovative materials that could make on-board hydrogen generators a reality
A long-lived catalyst facilitates the first steps toward a viable small-scale on-board hydrogen generator.
November 5, 2014 Read more
No quick fix for global warming
A debate has broken out between politicians and scientists as to whether atmospheric warming can be delayed by reducing short-lived climate forcing agents. An international research team has now confirmed that a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is the only long-term remedy for global warming.
November 4, 2014 Read more
Electric car breaks acceleration world record: 0 to 100 km/h in 1.785 seconds (w/video)
The 'grimsel' electric racing car today broke the previous world record for acceleration in electric cars. The vehicle accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.785 seconds in under 30 metres.
November 4, 2014 Read more
An economical process for micro energy harvesting
The trend toward energy self-sufficient probes and ever smaller mobile electronics systems continues unabated. They are used, for example, to monitor the status of the engines on airplanes, or for medical implants. They gather the energy they need for this from their immediate environment - from vibrations, for instance. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a process for the economical production of piezoelectric materials.
November 4, 2014 Read more
Pilot study reveals new findings about microplastics in wastewater
Treatment plants cannot completely keep microplastics out of wastewater by conventional means. This is one of the results of a pilot study. The findings will be used to better protect flora and fauna in rivers and seas.
October 30, 2014 Read more
Wind of Change: European grid prepares for massive integration of renewables
Today, the city of Rome welcomed an important new initiative for the large-scale integration of grids and of renewables sources into Europe's energy mix, with nearly 40 leading organisations from research, industry, utilities, transmission systems operators announcing their united goal to find the BEST PATHS to deliver affordable, reliable power in Europe from coast to coast.
October 30, 2014 Read more
Novel instrument 'combs' the atmosphere to measure greenhouse gases
By remotely 'combing' the atmosphere with a custom laser-based instrument, researchers have developed a new technique that can accurately measure - over a sizeable distance - amounts of several of the major greenhouse gases implicated in climate change.
October 29, 2014 Read more
Salt-loving plants may be key to global efforts for sustainable food production
Farmland is vanishing in part because the salinity in the soil is rising as a result of climate change and other man-made phenomena. Researchers propose a new concept for breeding salt- tolerant plants as a way to contribute to global efforts for sustainable food production.
October 28, 2014 Read more
Climatescope 2014 - Global study shows clean energy activity surges in developing world
Developing nations represent a large and rapidly growing share of the world's clean energy investment, according to Climatescope 2014, a landmark study released today. The results suggest renewable technologies can be just as cost-competitive in emerging parts of the world as they are in richer nations.
October 28, 2014 Read more
Boosting biogasoline production in microbes
Researchers have identified microbial genes that can improve both the tolerance and the production of biogasoline in engineered strains of E. coli.
October 27, 2014 Read more
Climate change caused by ocean, not just atmosphere, new study finds
Most of the concerns about climate change have focused on the amount of greenhouse gases that have been released into the atmosphere.
October 27, 2014 Read more
Li-ion batteries contain toxic halogens, but environmentally friendly alternatives exist
Researchers found that the electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries could be replaced with halogen-free electrolytes that are both nontoxic and environmentally friendly.
October 24, 2014 Read more