Making fuel from light
Research sheds light on photosynthesis and creation of solar fuel.
Posted: Sep 2nd, 2015
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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.
Posted: Sep 1st, 2015
Read moreWireless charging and discharging for electric vehicles
In the future, a wireless charging system will allow electric cars not only to charge their batteries, but also to feed energy back into the power grid, helping to stabilize it. The cost-effective charging system achieves high levels of efficiency across the whole power range, from 400 watts to 3.6 kilowatts, while the car and the charging coil can be up to 20 centimeters apart.
Posted: Sep 1st, 2015
Read moreGaming computers offer huge, untapped energy savings potential
In the world of computer gaming, bragging rights are accorded to those who can boast of blazing-fast graphics cards, the most powerful processors, the highest-resolution monitors, and the coolest decorative lighting. They are not bestowed upon those crowing about the energy efficiency of their system. If they were, gaming computers worldwide might well be consuming billions of dollars less in electricity use annually, with no loss in performance, according to new research.
Posted: Aug 31st, 2015
Read moreAs wind-turbine farms expand, research shows they could offer diminishing returns
Researchers evaluated the effects of large wind farms on atmospheric flow and its implications for how much renewable energy the turbines can generate.
Posted: Aug 31st, 2015
Read moreA technique to forecast ocean wave energy
Intermittency is one of the problems affecting renewable energies, including marine energy: sometimes there's a lot; other times it's in short supply. So to properly manage sea energy and incorporate it into the mains, it is helpful to know when the waves are expected to be bringing sufficient power.
Posted: Aug 31st, 2015
Read moreSoaking up carbon dioxide and turning it into valuable products
Researchers double down on a good thing by incorporating catalysts into crystalline sponges.
Posted: Aug 27th, 2015
Read moreSodium batteries for use in smart grids?
New high-performance electrode material for sodium full cells.
Posted: Aug 27th, 2015
Read moreResearch demonstrates millions of plastic particles exist in cosmetic products
Everyday cosmetic and cleaning products contain huge quantities of plastic particles, which are released to the environment and could be harmful to marine life, according to a new study.
Posted: Aug 26th, 2015
Read moreWe can turn CO2 in the air into new materials - but don't expect that to stop climate change
What if there were a way to suck carbon dioxide right out of the air and turn it into useful products? It might seem fantastic but scientists have actually proved it's possible. One of the challenges with making it a viable process, however, is manufacturing products that are valuable enough to cover the high costs of extracting the carbon dioxide.
Posted: Aug 26th, 2015
Read moreHow to store sunlight on a tight energy budget: Add more protons
The reaction to convert solar energy to fuel is 50 times faster with a simple change in the solvent used.
Posted: Aug 21st, 2015
Read moreNew technology can expand LED lighting, cutting energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
Highly efficient, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) could slash the world's electricity consumption. They are already sold in stores, but more widespread adoption of the technology has been hindered by high costs due to limited availability of raw materials and difficulties in achieving acceptable light quality. But researchers report today that they have overcome these obstacles and have developed a less expensive, more sustainable white LED.
Posted: Aug 19th, 2015
Read moreNew technology could reduce wind energy costs
Engineers have developed a novel technique to predict when bearings inside wind turbines will fail which could make wind energy cheaper. The method uses ultrasonic waves to measure the load transmitted through a ball bearing in a wind turbine.
Posted: Aug 13th, 2015
Read moreResearchers use wastewater treatment to capture CO2, produce energy
Cleaning up municipal and industrial wastewater can be dirty business, but engineers have developed an innovative wastewater treatment process that not only mitigates carbon dioxide emissions, but actively captures greenhouse gases as well.
Posted: Aug 4th, 2015
Read moreCO2 removal cannot save the oceans - if we pursue business as usual
Greenhouse-gas emissions from human activities do not only cause rapid warming of the seas, but also ocean acidification at an unprecedented rate. Artificial carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere has been proposed to reduce both risks to marine life. A new study based on computer calculations now shows that this strategy would not work if applied too late.
Posted: Aug 3rd, 2015
Read moreAssessing the efficiency of solar-active-houses
Solar-Active-Houses heat themselves using heat collectors and water tanks. However, no one had conducted an objective assessment of how efficiently they do so. Researchers put some of these solar houses to the test, identified where there was room for improvement and laid the scientific groundwork for this housing concept.
Posted: Aug 3rd, 2015
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