Tag: techxplore

Scientists introduce c-MOFs in emerging SrZrS₃ chalcogenide perovskites for efficient solar cells A study led by Dr. Latha Marasamy, a research professor at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, Mexico, is setting the stage for advancements in solar energy technology. The research team has made a significant breakthrough by exploring the capabilities of SrZrS3 absorbers in…

New method significantly reduces AI energy consumption AI applications such as large language models (LLMs) have become an integral part of our everyday lives. The required computing, storage and transmission capacities are provided by data centers that consume vast amounts of energy. In Germany alone, this amounted to about 16 billion kWh in 2020, or…

Rooftop lab: Improving the understanding of optimal orientation and tilt of solar panels in northern climate conditions The performance of photovoltaic systems (PV) in northern conditions has been measured at the University of Oulu, Finland, with two research infrastructures comprising 40 solar panels, including a unique panel carousel system on the roof of the Linnanmaa…

Preventing hydrogen vehicle accidents in advance: Equipment monitors hydrogen fuel quality in real-time The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science has developed equipment that monitors the quality of hydrogen fuel supplied to vehicles through hydrogen refueling stations in real-time. This equipment is expected to prevent hydrogen vehicle accidents caused by impurities in the hydrogen…

An eco-friendly, inexpensive system for storing high-power energy from pine biomass The Solid State and Materials Research Group has come up with a lithium-ion capacitor using electrodes produced from wood particles that are discarded as waste in sawmills. This biomass is very easily available across the Basque Country, and sustainable, inexpensive processes have been used…

Italy breaks ‘taboo’ with push to revive nuclear Italy’s cabinet opened the door Friday to a return to nuclear power, aiming to overturn nearly 40 years of opposition—though experts say any revival is at least a decade away. Go to techxplore

Anode-free solid-state batteries: Fundamental insights bring them a step closer to practical use From laptops to electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries power everyday life. However, as demand for longer-lasting devices threatens to outstrip the energy that lithium-ion supplies, researchers are on the hunt for more powerful batteries. Go to techxplore

Advanced imagery and ultra-thin coatings could enhance performance of solid-state batteries From electric vehicles to wireless earbuds, traditional lithium-ion batteries power our daily lives as they charge fast and store plenty of energy. However, they rely on a solution known as liquid electrolyte, which can catch on fire if damaged or overheated. Go to techxplore

Seawater purification technique outperforms commonly used materials, even activated carbon Researchers have discovered a new technique for improving the electrodes that convert seawater into potable water using oxygen. The findings were reported in Nature Communications. The research was led by Yusuke Yamauchi at Nagoya University, Japan in collaboration with Xingtao Xu at Zhejiang Ocean University,…

Researchers transform textile waste into stronger recycled paper Until now, old clothes have mainly been incinerated. Using adapted processes from paper production, it is possible to recover the cellulose fibers from used clothing and use them to produce cardboard and other packaging materials. Go to techxplore

Largest carbon dioxide separation technology for power generation developed in South Korea Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has successfully demonstrated the world’s largest gas power generation technology capable of inherently separating carbon dioxide. They have also become the first in the world to use this approach to successfully generate steam for electricity production. Go…

Tin foam powers new battery electrode innovation Metal-based electrodes in lithium-ion batteries promise significantly higher capacities than conventional graphite electrodes. Unfortunately, they degrade due to mechanical stress during charging and discharging cycles. A team at HZB has now shown that a highly porous tin foam is much better at absorbing mechanical stress during charging cycles.…

Enhanced battery electrode could enable more than 600 km of travel on single charge A research team led by Professor Kyeong-Min Jeong in the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, has unveiled an electrode that is five times thicker than existing models, utilizing the dry process. Go to techxplore

Scientists cook up a green recipe for recycling lithium-ion batteries using vegetable oil University of Leicester scientists have developed a technique for sustainably extracting valuable metals from a waste product of used batteries with a mix of water and cooking oil. Go to techxplore

Enhanced geothermal systems promise wider access to clean energy Historically, access to geothermal energy has hinged on real estate’s famously three most important factors: location, location, and location. Because conventional geothermal power plants require hot, permeable rocks and plenty of underground fluid, use of the technology has been limited mostly to places with recent volcanism,…

Perovskite solar cells: Thermal stresses are key to long-term stability Perovskite solar cells are highly efficient and low cost in production. However, they still lack stability over the decades under real weather conditions. An international research collaboration led by Prof. Antonio Abate has now published a perspective on this topic in the journal Nature Reviews…

High-performance sodium-ion cathode paves the way for lithium-ion battery alternative For decades, scientists have sought ways to counter our dependence on lithium-ion batteries. These traditional, rechargeable batteries energize today’s most ubiquitous consumer electronics—from laptops to cell phones to electric cars. But raw lithium is expensive and is often sourced through fragile geopolitical networks. Go to…

Enhanced cathode materials could expand electric vehicle driving range A research team has advanced cathode materials, a key component of electric vehicle batteries. Their findings could usher in a new chapter in the development of high-capacity high-safety lithium-ion battery materials. Their paper is published in the journal ACS Nano. Go to techxplore

Heat pumps have a coziness problem How we keep warm at home accounts for 17% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. The UK cannot reach net zero emissions, and end its contribution to climate change, without ending its reliance on natural gas as the dominant source of heating. Go to techxplore

Scientists create hydrogen with no direct CO₂ emissions at source A new way of creating hydrogen, which eliminates direct CO2 emissions at source, has been developed by an international team of scientists. Go to techxplore

Alkalinity on demand: AI and smartphones enable rapid water quality analysis Scientists have developed a technique for water alkalinity analysis that requires no specialized equipment, using only artificial intelligence and smartphone technology. This method allows for the rapid and accurate measurement of alkalinity levels across diverse water matrices, from freshwater to saltwater, making water quality…

Sustainable economic growth in South Africa will come from renewables, not coal: What our model shows Coal-fired power stations produce 85% of South Africa’s electricity, making the country the biggest producer of harmful greenhouse-gas emissions in Africa. To move away from coal and meet its commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, South Africa…

Prototype turns car and helicopter exhaust into thermoelectric energy Combustion engines, the engines in gas-powered cars, only use a quarter of the fuel’s potential energy while the rest is lost as heat through exhaust. Go to techxplore