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New insight into thermoelectric materials that may boost green technologies
Researchers report new surprising properties of a metal named lithium purple-bronze (LiPB) that may impact the search for materials useful in power generation, refrigeration, or energy detection.
May 14, 2014 Read more
Dangerous nitrogen pollution could be halved
The most important fertilizer for producing food is, at the same time, one of the most important risks for human health: nitrogen. Ambitious mitigation efforts, however, could decrease the pollution by 50 percent. The analysis is the very first to quantify this.
May 13, 2014 Read more
CentRec - an innovative concept for solar tower power plants
In a new radiation receiver developed for solar tower power plants, ceramic particles of around one millimetre in size are heated to 1000 degrees Celsius. The particles are held in a drum inside the rotating receiver by centrifugal force, until they become hot enough to drive the steam turbine in a power plant, for example.
May 12, 2014 Read more
Plastics to dust: Easy-to-compost plastic bags move closer to mainstream
Rsearcher devised way to use natural polymer to produce a biodegradable plastic.
May 12, 2014 Read more
Sustainability needs link between theory and practice in education
How can you ensure that people do not only spend time thinking about important global issues like climate change or world food supplies, but also roll up their sleeves and do something about them? Four researchers think that the education sector holds the key.
May 9, 2014 Read more
Wearable solar cells integrated into fabrics
Researchers demonstrate solar cells based on stacked textile electrodes for integration into fabrics.
May 9, 2014 Read more
Fueling aviation with hardwoods
A multi-university team has addressed challenges of introducing advanced biofuels in the transportation pool through the concerted development of technology designed to transform lignocellulosic biomass into a jet fuel surrogate via catalytic chemistry. This promising approach highlights the versatility of lignocellulose as a feedstock.
May 8, 2014 Read more
High-efficiency water treatment using light using a novel UV-light system
Many harmful substances in waste water stubbornly resist being broken down by biological waste water treatment plants. Researchers have developed a photochemical reaction system in which water can be reliably treated at high flow rates by UV light without having to add chemical catalysts.
May 7, 2014 Read more
Catalytic upgrade for biofuels
New catalysts to remove oxygenated compounds from bio-derived oils may lead to better and cheaper renewable biofuels.
May 7, 2014 Read more
Better biofuel yield thanks to a coal waste product
Biofuel can be produced from wood, too. The key to this is the suitable pretreatment of the plant parts in order to break up the wood structure.
May 6, 2014 Read more
Tracking down air pollutant effects on your smartphone (w/video)
Did you ever see pollution level indicators displayed in big European cities? The EXPOSOMICS project is looking to make them obsolete. Not only will their technology determine the exact impact of pollutant exposure on our health, but it could eventually land in your pocket - as a smartphone app.
May 6, 2014 Read more
Widespread hydrogen fueling infrastructure goal of H2FIRST project
As hydrogen fuel cell vehicles continue to roll out in increasing numbers, the infrastructure for fueling them must expand as well. To this end, a new project launched by the Energy Department will work in support of H2USA, the public private partnership introduced in 2013 by the Energy Department and industry stakeholders to address the challenge of hydrogen infrastructure.
May 6, 2014 Read more
Launch of Morgenstadt City Challenge - new models for sustainable urban development
International competition: Open to all municipalities aiming to improve their sustainability credentials.
May 6, 2014 Read more
'Solar Energy': A new, free multimedia report
The 20th report in the CNRS/sagascience collection focuses on solar energy and its prospects for the future.
May 6, 2014 Read more
New SUPERGEN Hub to set UK's energy storage course
A new, GBP4 million, collaboration between academics and industry that will set the direction and development of research and technologies in Energy Storage, was unveiled today.
May 2, 2014 Read more
Liquid metal battery developer Ambri raises $35 million
This latest funding round will enable Ambri to deliver commercial systems to customers, build its initial commercial-scale manufacturing plant, and continue technology development.
May 1, 2014 Read more
Reducing energy consumption in production
A German funding program for energy-efficient and climate-saving production processes.
April 30, 2014 Read more
Multilayer, microscale solar cells enable ultrahigh efficiency power generation
Researchers use a printing process to assemble tiny cells into multilayer stacks for extraordinary levels of photovoltaic conversion efficiency.
April 28, 2014 Read more