New Fuel Cell Could Eliminate Waste at Biodiesel Plants
Anew fuel-cell concept, developed by a Michigan State University
researcher, will allow biodiesel plants to eliminate the creation of
hazardous wastes while removing their dependence on fossil fuel from
their production process. »
Scientists Print Fuel Cells With Ordinary Inkjet Printer
Researchersat DTU Energy Conversion has transformed an ordinary HP 1000 ink jet
printer into a printer able to print efficient energy conversion devices
such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). »
Nature-Inspired Catalyst to Make Hydrogen Fuel Cells Cheaper
The first view of nature-inspired catalyst after ripping hydrogen apart provides insights for better, cheaper fuel cells. »
EU Project to Test Fuel Cells in Private Homes
Overthe next four years, fuel cell-based micro CHP (Combined Heat and
Power) units will be tested in 1,000 private homes as part of the EU
project Ene.field. »
Iron, Carbon May Replace Platinum as PEM Fuel Cell Catalysts
Aresearch team from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) has
discovered a new type of iron and carbon-based catalyst, which is stable
and active in both acidic and alkaline media, and may even eliminate
the need for platinum in catalysts and thus revolutionize the proton
exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell industry. »
Promising Nanocatalysts for Next-Generation Fuel Cells Developed
Abig step in the development of next-generation fuel cells and
water-alkali electrolyzers has been achieved with the discovery of a new
class of bimetallic nanocatalysts that are an order of magnitude higher
in activity than the target set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
for 2017. »
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Unit to Provide Power to Honolulu Port
Cleanhydrogen power that’s expected to lower emissions and reduce energy
consumption will be coming to the Port of Honolulu in 2015 after the
completion of a new hydrogen fuel cell technology demonstration, one
that could lead to a commercial technology for ports worldwide. »
Solar-Induced Fuel Cell Converts Biomass to Electricity
Researchersat the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new type of
low-temperature fuel cell that directly converts biomass to electricity
with assistance from a catalyst activated by solar or thermal energy. »
BCU to Showcase Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car in India
BirminghamCity University is set to showcase the concept and design behind what
could prove to be the world’s first affordable hydrogen fuel-cell
powered mass transport vehicle. »
JRC Identifies Potential Lead Markets for Electric Vehicles, Fuel Cell Cars
Astudy by the Joint Research Center (JRC), the EU in-house scientific
service, identified the possible lead markets for electric vehicles and
hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the European Union. »
Toyota Fuel Cell Concept Hydrogen Car Debuts at CES
“Wearen’t trying to re-invent the wheel; just everything necessary to make
them turn,” said Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive
operations for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. Inc., at the opening of
CES, the world’s largest trade show. “Fuel cell electric vehicles will
be in our future sooner than many people believe, and in much greater
numbers than anyone expected.” »
World’s First Mass-Produced Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Announced
Hyundaithis week announced plans to offer its next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell
vehicle for the U.S. market for $499 per month, including unlimited
free hydrogen refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance. »
Bacterial Nanowire Gives Clues for Biological Fuel Cells
Scientistsat the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have determined the
structure of the protein that makes up a bacterial nanowire. This
finding may prove to be important to such diverse fields as producing
energy, recycling Earth’s carbon and miniaturizing computers. »
Nitrogen Can Boost Methanol Fuel Cells’ Performance
A new article in Energy and Environmental Science explainshow methanol fuel cells’ performance can be significantly boosted by
doping nitrogen into the carbon-supported electrocatalysts that are
typically used in these devices. »
USAF to Test Small Wind Turbines, Fuel Cells in Extreme Arctic Conditions
TheAir Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Advanced Power Technology Office
(APTO) identified state-of-the-art small wind turbines capable in
extreme arctic conditions for a winter demonstration. The demonstration
will provide proof-of-concept as well as data regarding site conditions
and failure mechanisms. »
Scientists Will Use X-Rays to Study Fuel Cell Micro-Structure
X-ray imaging is useful not only for studying lithium-ion batteries,but also to develop and advance the technology for the next generation
of more durable, lower-cost fuel cells. Powerful scanners that give
scientists a direct line of sight into hydrogen fuel cells are the
latest tools Simon Fraser University scientists will use in their
research. »
Scientists Create Inexpensive Fuel Cell Catalyst That Tolerates Carbon Monoxide
BrookhavenLab scientists use simple, ‘green’ process to create novel core-shell
fuel cell catalyst that tolerates carbon monoxide and opens new,
inexpensive pathways for zero-emission vehicles. »
BAE Systems Receives Funding to Commercialize American-Made Fuel Cell Buses
FederalTransit Administrator (FTA) Peter Rogoff visited BAE Systems’
HybriDrive Solution facility in Endicott, N.Y., this week to share the
news that $13.6 million in federal funding is being dedicated to advance
the commercialization of American-made fuel cell buses for the transit
industry. »
Refrigerator Trucks in Three States to Use Fuel Cells for Cooling
Grocerymerchants in Texas, California and New York will soon have ice cream,
frozen foods and fresh produce delivered by tractor trailers whose
refrigeration units are powered by fuel cells, a clean technology that
makes energy silently and with dramatically reduced emissions. »
Synthetic Polymers Make Alkaline Fuel Cells Cheaper, More Durable
Anew relatively inexpensive polymer membrane can decrease the cost of
alkaline fuel cells and batteries by allowing the replacement of pricey
platinum catalysts while keeping the important aspects of performance
intact, according to Penn State researchers. »
Tags:batteryfuel cellPennsylvani
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NETL Publishes Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Studies Compilation
Asolid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is an electrochemical conversion device
that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel. Advantages of
this class of fuel cells include high efficiency, long-term stability,
fuel flexibility, low emissions, and relatively low cost. The largest
disadvantage is the high operating temperature which results in longer
start-up times and mechanical and chemical compatibility issues. »
GM, Honda to Develop Next-Gen Fuel Cells Together
GeneralMotors and Honda announced a long-term, definitive master agreement to
co-develop next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage
technologies, aiming for the 2020 time frame. The collaboration expects
to succeed by sharing expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing
strategies. »
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Will Make Seaports Cleaner
Hydrogenfuel cells can be used to provide seaports with carbon-neutral,
emission-free auxiliary power. Researchers at Sandia National
Laboratories have found that hydrogen fuel cells may be both technically
feasible and commercially attractive as a clean, quiet and efficient
power source for ships at berth, replacing on-board diesel generators. »
Counterintuitive Material That Expands Under Pressure to Be Used in Fuel Cells
Whenyou squeeze something, it gets smaller. Unless you’re at Argonne
National Laboratory. At the suburban Chicago laboratory, a group of
scientists has seemingly defied the laws of physics and created a new
material that increases in volume with pressure instead of compressing
or contracting. Among other potential applications, the new material can
be used as compressible storage for carbon dioxide sequestration of
hydrogen fuel cells. »
Automotive Fuel Cells to be Used In Space
Automotivefuel cells are not only good for powering eco-friendly buses and
potentially fuel cell cars, they also can be used in space exploration,
according to an article co-authored by the JRC and the European Space
Agency (ESA) in the scientific journal Acta Astronautica. The
article analyzes the present-day hydrogen activities in the terrestrial
and aerospace industries, highlighting possible performance improvements
and cost savings. »
Halogenated Graphene Catalyst May Replace Platinum in Fuel Cells
Agroup of scientists from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and
Technology (UNIST), Korea, has developed a new metal-free fuel cell
catalyst using edge-halogenated graphene nanoscale platelets. As a
replacement for the expensive platinum-based catalysts this graphene application opens a way to affordable fuel cells. »
New Bus Fuel Cell Durability Test Developed
Researchersworking to improve durability in fuel cell powered buses, including a
team from Simon Fraser University, have discovered links between
electrode degradation processes and bus membrane durability. The team is
quantifying the effects of electrode degradation stressors in the
operating cycle of the bus on the membrane lifetime. »
Biomass Powered Fuel Cell That Can Be Charged From a Campfire Developed
How
do you charge a cell phone if you don’t have access to electricity?
This question is especially relevant in developing countries where a
large portion of the population may live without electricity or toilets
or running water but yet they own cell phones. A new technology
developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will allow people to
get enough electricity to charge a cell phone or to power a lightbulb
form a simple campfire. »
do you charge a cell phone if you don’t have access to electricity?
This question is especially relevant in developing countries where a
large portion of the population may live without electricity or toilets
or running water but yet they own cell phones. A new technology
developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will allow people to
get enough electricity to charge a cell phone or to power a lightbulb
form a simple campfire. »
Japanese Scientists Explain Quantum Effects in Fuel Cells
Agroup of researchers led by Kasai Hideaki, a professor in the Graduate
School of Engineering at Osaka University, described the mechanism
behind the quantum reactions in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC).
They have also created a method to effectively model and design PEFC
using computational materials design techniques. »
NRL Chemist Explains Mechanics Behind Microbial Fuel Cell
Thebenthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC) was developed some time ago by The
Naval Research Laboratory to power marine-deployed applications.
This
battery draws power from organic matter residing in sediment on the
seafloor, oxidizing it with oxygen in overlying water. This power source
is non-depleting and therefore perfectly suited to power hard to access
sensors and similar devices. Dr. Lenny Tender, a research chemist at
the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), explains the mechanics of his
benthic microbial fuel cell. A recent recipient of the Arthur S. Fleming
Award, Tender is an internationally recognized leader in microbial fuel
cell research. »
Engineers One Step Closer to Affordable Hydrogen Fuel Cells
To
make energy efficient hydrogen fuel cells for electric vehicles it is
very important to find a suitable catalyst to oxidize the fuel, turning
it into electricity. Such catalyst should effectively serve its purpose
while being economically viable. Researchers at Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory have yesterday reported the development of the first
affordable iron-based catalyst online at Nature Chemistry. »
make energy efficient hydrogen fuel cells for electric vehicles it is
very important to find a suitable catalyst to oxidize the fuel, turning
it into electricity. Such catalyst should effectively serve its purpose
while being economically viable. Researchers at Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory have yesterday reported the development of the first
affordable iron-based catalyst online at Nature Chemistry. »
Redox Reactions in Cells May Hold Key to Biofuel Production
Researchersat the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has glimpsed key
chemical events, known as redox reactions, inside living cells of the
organism. The findings will help scientists use the cyanobacterium Synechococcus to produce biofuels. »
Honda to Show Its Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show
Yesterdaya sketch was released of the Honda FCEV Concept in advance of its debut
at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 20. The concept model
expresses a potential styling direction for Honda’s next-generation
fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) launching in the U.S and Japan in 2015
and later in Europe. »
Cellulosic Biofuel Production Is Growing Too Slow
While
cellulosic biofuels production should significantly increase in the
next several years, the total volume of biofuels would most likely be
nowhere near the levels set by the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007. According to that law, last year 500 million gallons of
cellulosic biofuels should have been produced in U.S., a figure growing
to 1 billion by 2013 and to 16 billion by 2022. »
cellulosic biofuels production should significantly increase in the
next several years, the total volume of biofuels would most likely be
nowhere near the levels set by the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007. According to that law, last year 500 million gallons of
cellulosic biofuels should have been produced in U.S., a figure growing
to 1 billion by 2013 and to 16 billion by 2022. »
Open Rotor Aircraft Engine Consumes 15% Less Fuel
Twoaircraft engine concepts, geared turbofan and open rotor, can enable a
significant reduction in aircraft fuel consumption. With open rotor, the
potential reduction is 15%. These are the findings of Linda Larsson,
who has analyzed and evaluated the two concepts. »
Researchers Turn Straw From Oilseed Rape into Biofuel
Researchersat the Institute of Food Research, UK, are looking at how to turn straw
from oilseed rape into biofuel. Preliminary findings are pointing at
ways the process could be made more efficient, as well as how the straw
itself could be improved. »
H2FIRST Project to Create Widespread Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure
Ashydrogen 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 and led by Sandia
National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL) 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. »
Biofuels From Crop Residue May Increase Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Usingcorn crop residue to make ethanol and other biofuels reduces soil
carbon and can generate more greenhouse gases than gasoline, according
to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change (see footnote). »
Report Shows Ways for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles to Save Fuel
Expandingthe use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and greater use of
aerodynamic devices on trailers are among the strategies recommended by a
new National Research Council report
for reducing fuel consumption by tractor-trailers, transit buses,
commercial vehicles, trucks, and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. »
Using More Wood for Construction Can Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption
AYale University-led study has found that using more wood and less steel
and concrete in building and bridge construction would substantially
reduce fossil fuel consumption and global carbon dioxide emissions. »
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Hybrid Cars More Fuel-Efficient in China, India Than in U.S.
Whatmakes cities in India and China so frustrating to drive in—heavy
traffic, aggressive driving style, few freeways—makes them ideal for
saving fuel with hybrid vehicles, according to new research by
scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). »
Report Analyzes Future of Automotive Fuels in EU
Anew version of the Well-to-Wheels Analysis of Future Automotive Fuels
and Powertrains in the European Context was published on 25 March by the
JRC and its partners in the JEC Consortium. »
Engineered Bacterium to Produce Rocket Fuel
Researchersat the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Joint BioEnergy
Institute have engineered a bacterium to synthesize pinene, a
hydrocarbon produced by trees that could potentially replace high-energy
fuels, such as JP-10, in missiles and other aerospace applications. »
Ionic Liquid Resistance Mechanism to Advance Biofuel Production
Researcherswith the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Joint BioEnergy Institute
(JBEI), a multi-institutional partnership led by Berkeley Lab, have
identified the genetic origins of a microbial resistance to ionic
liquids and successfully introduced this ionic liquid resistance into a
strain of E. coli bacteria for the production of advanced biofuels. »
NIF Experiment Achieves Fusion Fuel Gain Exceeding Unity
Ignition—theprocess of releasing fusion energy equal to or greater than the amount
of energy used to confine the fuel—has long been considered the “holy
grail” of inertial confinement fusion science. A key step on the way to
ignition is to have the energy generated through fusion reactions in an
inertially confined fusion plasma exceed the amount of energy deposited
into the deuterium–tritium fusion fuel and hotspot during the implosion
process, resulting in a fusion fuel gain greater than unity. »
Scientists Make Gasoline-Like Fuel From Plant Waste
Gasoline-likefuels can be produced from cellulosic materials such as farm and
forestry waste using a new process invented by chemists at the
University of California, Davis. The process could open up new markets
for plant-based fuels, beyond existing diesel substitutes. »
Scientists Uncover Charge Transfer Mechanism in Perovskite Solar Cells
Leadhalide perovskites have recently been used as light absorbers in hybrid
organic–inorganic solid-state solar cells, with efficiencies as high as
15% and open-circuit voltages of 1 V. However, a detailed explanation
of the mechanisms of operation within this photovoltaic system is still
lacking. Scientists from Ecole polytechnique fédérale in Lausanne (EPFL)
and of HZB-Institute for Solar Fuels have now uncovered the mechanism
by which these novel light-absorbing semiconductors transfer electrons
along their surface. »
New Enzyme May Convert Methane to Liquid Transportation Fuel
A Berkeley Lab-led team hopes to engineer a new enzyme that efficiently converts methane to liquid transportation fuel. »
New Lignin Removal Method Makes Biofuel Production Cheaper
Scientistsat North Carolina State University have developed a simple, effective
and relatively inexpensive lignin removal method, which may drive down
the cost of biofuel production. »
Light Trapping Scheme Makes Ultrathin Solar Cells Much Better
Ateam of researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
and the University of Central Florida in Orlando implemented light
trapping schemes with 3 μm thick silicon solar cells, achieving energy conversion efficiencies that are higher by ≈190% compared to otherwise identical cells that do not exploit light-trapping features. »
Miscanthus Giganteus Better Than Switchgrass for Biofuel Production
The first long-term U.S. field trials of Miscanthus giganteus,a large, perennial grass currently used in the EU as a commercial
energy crop, reveal that its exceptional yields, though reduced somewhat
after five years of growth, are still more than twice those of
switchgrass. Miscanthus giganteus grown in Illinois also outperforms even the high yields found in earlier studies of the crop in Europe, the researchers found. »
Innovative Coatings Make Hydrogen Fuel Production Easier
Hydrogenfuel production is a promising way to achieve carbon-neutral fuels to
power the transportation infrastructure including automobiles and
especially planes. Now, a team of scientists at the North Carolina State
University has shown that a specialized coating technique can make
certain devices employed for hydrogen fuel production more stable and
more efficient. »
Oceanographers Genetically Engineer Fatter Marine Algae for Biofuel Production
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanographyat UC San Diego have developed a method for greatly enhancing biofuel
production in tiny marine algae by increasing lipid output without
sacrificing growth. »
Microbe Breaks Down Lignin, Improves Biofuel Production
Lignin,a complex polymer of aromatic alcohols, is an integral part of the
secondary cell walls of plants and some algae. By its nature, lignin
inhibits access to cellulose, reducing accessibility of plant sugars for
biofuel production. Now, researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute
(JBEI) have characterized the enzymatic activity of a rain forest
microbe that breaks down lignin essentially by breathing it. »
GE Plans to Use Biofuel for Jet Engines
GE’sPeebles Test Operation and other GE testing sites will soon start to
use biofuel for jet engines. According to the company, this step will
help GE Aviation cut emissions and allow airline customers to embrace
biofuels. »
Fungal Enzymes Turn Plants Into Fuel Faster
Scientistslooking to create a potent blend of fungal enzymes to transform
materials like corn stalks and wood chips into fuels have developed a
test that should turbocharge their efforts. »
ORNL Aims to Develop Cheap Copper Oxide Solar Cell
AmitGoyal and his team of research scientists are using copper oxide to
redesign the face of solar power. The once-dismissed solar
semiconductor, one of the first discovered, is the basis of ongoing
research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). »
Solar Cell Efficiency Records: Which Solar Cells Are Really the Most Efficient
A recent study by MIT and Santa Fe Institute researchers found a “dramatic growth in innovation” in renewable energy technologies,primarily in solar and wind energy. A lot of this research is dedicated
to improving the efficiency of solar cells. More efficient solar cells
naturally mean more efficient solar panels, ones that can effectively
compete with fossil fuels in terms of cost effectiveness. A number of
new solar cell efficiency records has been set just recently. »
Scientists Use Perovskite Structures to Create Cheaper Solar Cells
Scientistsat the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are using
organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials to create cheaper and more
efficient solar cells. According to them, this next generation solar
cells will be about five times cheaper than current thin-film solar
cells, due to a simpler solution-based manufacturing process. »
New Metabolic Pathway Could Lead to 50% Increase In Biofuel Production
UCLAchemical engineering researchers have created a new synthetic metabolic
pathway for breaking down glucose that could lead to a 50 percent
increase in the production of biofuels. »
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Highest Open-Circuit Voltage for Quantum Dot Solar Cells Achieved
U.S.Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) research scientists and engineers in
the Electronics Science and Technology Division have demonstrated the
highest recorded open-circuit voltage for quantum dot solar cells to
date. »
New Micro Hybrid Battery to Provide Up to 15% Fuel Savings
JohnsonControls, an American company globally offering products and services
to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings, automotive
batteries and electronics, will unveil its first-generation 48-volt
lithium-ion Micro Hybrid battery at the International Motor Show (IAA)
in Frankfurt, Germany. »
IIT-Argonne Team Receives Award to Develop ‘Nanoelectrofuel’ Battery Tech
CarloSegre, Duchossois Leadership Professor of Physics at Illinois Institute
of Technology (IIT), has received a $3.4 million award from the U.S.
Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) to
develop a breakthrough “nanoelectrofuel” battery technology that may
more than double the current range of electric vehicles (EV). This is
one of 22 energy storage research projects that received funding from (ARPA-E). »
Layered Semiconductors May Greatly Improve Photoelectrochemical Cells
Theoreticalsimulations reveal that layered semiconductors with magnetic interfaces
can be used to increase the efficiency of photoelectrochemical cells.
According to a new study by researchers at the A*STAR Institute of High
Performance Computing, model interfaces made from gallium nitride (GaN)
and zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductors have tunable magnetic and
light-harvesting capabilities—factors that can greatly improve the
photocatalytic transformation of water into hydrogen fuel. »
Yeast Strain That Efficiently Converts Bio-Waste Into Biofuel Developed
Researchersfrom KU Leuven and VIB have developed new yeast strains capable of
converting waste into biofuel with unprecedented efficiency. The yeast
strains could have real environmental and economic benefits,
particularly as the burgeoning industry of second-generation biofuels
continues to grow. »
First U.S. Commercial-Scale Cellulosic Ethanol Project Launches in Florida
TheEnergy Department this week recognized the nation’s first
commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production at INEOS Bio’s Indian
River BioEnergy Center in Vero Beach, Florida. Developed through a joint
venture between INEOS Bio and New Planet Energy, the project uses a
unique hybrid of gasification and fermentation technology—originally
developed with Energy Department support starting in the 1990’s—to
convert wood scraps, grass clippings and other waste materials into
transportation fuels as well as energy for heat and power. »
Graphene in Energy: Batteries, Supercapacitors and Solar Cells
Thepotential of graphene for batteries becomes more apparent each day,
with headlines touting new graphene electrodes and battery materials. »
New ‘Electronic Ink’ Technology Can Make Solar Cell Prices Plummet
Researchersin the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering and
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, have
discovered a novel method for producing “electronic ink” using
nonthermal plasma. With this technology electronic touch pads that cost
just a few dollars and solar cells that cost the same as roof shingles
are one step closer to reality. »
Researchers Identify Best Microbial Species for Biofuel Production
Oneof the keys to commercialization of advanced biofuels is the
development of cost-competitive ways to extract fermentable sugars from
lignocellulosic biomass. The use of enzymes from thermophiles—microbes
that thrive at extremely high temperatures and alkaline conditions—holds
promise for achieving this. Finding the most effective of these
microbial enzymes, however, has been a challenge. That challenge has now
been met by a collaboration led by researchers with the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE)’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI). »
Simple PV Cell Successfully Stores 5% of Solar Energy in Hydrogen
Usinga simple solar cell and a photo anode made of a metal oxide bismuth
vanadate, scientists at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in
the Netherlands have successfully stored nearly five percent of solar
energy chemically in the form of hydrogen. This is a major feat as the
design of the solar cell is much simpler than that of the
high-efficiency triple-junction cells based on amorphous silicon or expensive III-V semiconductors that are traditionally used for this purpose. »
New Microbe Strain Makes Diesel Fuel from Greenhouse Gas
Apossible way to harvest and use atmospheric carbon dioxide to make high
performance diesel fuel has been proposed by a team of scientists with
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI)
who have engineered a microbe now being used to produce biodegradable
plastic into a strain that can produce advanced biofuel. »
Efficient Thermoelectric Cell for Waste Heat Recovery Developed
Ateam of researchers at the Monash University under the Australian
Research Council (ARC) Center of Excellence for Electromaterials Science
(ACES) has developed an ionic liquid-based thermoelectrochemical cell
that converts heat (temperature differences) directly into electrical
energy. Its high conversion rate (a Seebeck coefficient of 1.5–2.2 mV K−1) allows to use the cell to harvest waste heat from power stations and even vehicle exhaust pipes. »
Slimy Fast-Growing Marine Organism Can Be Used for Efficient Biofuel Production
Itsounds too good to be true: a common marine species that consumes
microorganisms and can be converted into much-needed feed for salmon or a
combustible biofuel for filling petrol tanks. And it can be cultivated
in vast amounts: 200 kg per square metre of ocean surface area. »
World Record for Two-Junction Solar Cell Efficiency Set at NREL
TheEnergy Department’s National Renewable Energy Lab has announced a world
record of 31.1% conversion efficiency for a two-junction solar cell
under one sun of illumination. Multi-junction solar cells or tandem
cells are solar cells containing several p-n junctions. Each junction is
tuned to a different wavelength of light, reducing one of the largest
inherent sources of losses, and thereby increasing efficiency. »
Finnish Startup Brings Solar Cells to Your Backpack
Tespack,a recently created Finnish startup company, is focused on bringing
renewable energy into everyday items. The goal of the startup is to
provide bikers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts with quick and
simple access to solar energy. The key idea here is to make solar panels
user-friendly enough for everyday use with no special skills required. A
good example of this approach is a number of solar-enabled backpacks
that can be used (apart from all the other things you’d expect from a
backpack) to charge portable electronic devices. »
Scientists Model Biofuel Production After Ants’ Fungus Gardens
Researchersat the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Bacteriology are
studying the colonies of leaf-cutter ants as they cultivate thriving
communities of fungi and bacteria using freshly cut plant material.
While these fungi provide nutrients for the ants, researchers are hoping
to replicate the process and apply it for better biofuel production. »
Wood-Eating Bug Helps Produce Biofuel from Waste
Scientistshave discovered a new enzyme that could prove an important step in the
quest to turn waste (such as paper, scrap wood and straw) into liquid
fuel. To do this they turned to the destructive power of tiny marine
wood-borers called ‘gribble’, which have been known to destroy seaside
piers. »
Two Biofuel Production Processes Offer Significant Emission Reduction
According to research published in the Forest Products Journal and currently featured on its publications page,
there are two technologies for producing transportation fuels from
woody biomass that can potentially exceed the current Environmental
Protection Agency emission requirements for renewable fuels. »
there are two technologies for producing transportation fuels from
woody biomass that can potentially exceed the current Environmental
Protection Agency emission requirements for renewable fuels. »
New Catalysts Will Get Cellphones Running on Acid
PhysicistFlorian Nitze at the Umeå University, Sweden, has developed several new
catalysts that improve the capacity of the fuel cells, making it
possible to use relatively environmentally friendly formic acid in fuel
cell powering your mobile phone or laptop. »
Hydrogen-Fueled Electric UAV Sets New Endurance Record
Hydrogenfuel cell-powered Ion Tiger UAV, developed at the U.S. Naval Research
Laboratory (NRL), stayed in the air for 48 hours and 1 minute on April
16-18. A new cryogenic fuel storage tank and delivery system allowed
researchers to beat their previous record of 26 hours and 2 minutes set
in 2009 using the same vehicle, but with gaseous hydrogen stored at 5000
psi. »
Tags:electric aircraftfuel cellhydrogenNaval Research Labunmanned aerial vehicl
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Researchers Cook Solar Cells in Old Microwave Oven
University
of Utah metallurgists created a “recipe” to produce solar cell material
in a microwave oven. Using this kitchen appliance, a nanocrystal
semiconductor suitable for photovoltaic applications can be manufactured
rapidly from cheap abundant and less toxic metals than other
semiconductors. Scientists hope that this new method will be used for
more efficient photovoltaic solar cells and LED lights, biological
sensors and systems to convert waste heat to electricity. »
of Utah metallurgists created a “recipe” to produce solar cell material
in a microwave oven. Using this kitchen appliance, a nanocrystal
semiconductor suitable for photovoltaic applications can be manufactured
rapidly from cheap abundant and less toxic metals than other
semiconductors. Scientists hope that this new method will be used for
more efficient photovoltaic solar cells and LED lights, biological
sensors and systems to convert waste heat to electricity. »
Fungi Will Help Chemists to Streamline Biofuel Production
When
you want to produce biofuel your goal is always to find a cheap and
efficient way to get sugar from biomass. One way to do this, especially
in the case with non-food plants like corn stalks or grass, is to use
enzymes (sometimes even a combination of two different enzymes simultaneously).
Recently scientists have discovered a potential treasure-trove of
candidate enzymes in fungi thriving in the feces and intestinal tracts
of horses. »
you want to produce biofuel your goal is always to find a cheap and
efficient way to get sugar from biomass. One way to do this, especially
in the case with non-food plants like corn stalks or grass, is to use
enzymes (sometimes even a combination of two different enzymes simultaneously).
Recently scientists have discovered a potential treasure-trove of
candidate enzymes in fungi thriving in the feces and intestinal tracts
of horses. »
Department of Energy Invests in Drop-In Biofuel for Military Applications
TheU.S. Department of Energy has announced nearly $18 million in four
innovative pilot-scale biorefineries in California, Iowa and Washington
that will test renewable biofuels as a domestic alternative to power our
cars, trucks, and planes that meet military specifications for jet fuel
and shipboard diesel. »
Cellphone Microbattery That Can Jump-Start a Car Developed
New
microbatteries developed at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign are only a few millimeters in size, yet they are
powerful enough to jump-start a dead car battery. Innovative
three-dimensional technology allows batteries to out-power even the best
supercapacitors, opening a way to a whole new range of applications. »
microbatteries developed at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign are only a few millimeters in size, yet they are
powerful enough to jump-start a dead car battery. Innovative
three-dimensional technology allows batteries to out-power even the best
supercapacitors, opening a way to a whole new range of applications. »
Technology Suite to Prevent Biofuel Pond Crash Problem
Researchers
at Sandia National Laboratories are developing a number of
complementary technologies that would help the algae industry to detect
and quickly recover from algal pond crashes, an obstacle to large-scale
algae cultivation for future biofuels. The research, which focuses on
monitoring and diagnosing algal pond health, draws upon Sandia’s
longstanding expertise in microfluidics technology, its bioscience
research program and internal investments. »
at Sandia National Laboratories are developing a number of
complementary technologies that would help the algae industry to detect
and quickly recover from algal pond crashes, an obstacle to large-scale
algae cultivation for future biofuels. The research, which focuses on
monitoring and diagnosing algal pond health, draws upon Sandia’s
longstanding expertise in microfluidics technology, its bioscience
research program and internal investments. »
First Carbon-Neutral Biofuel Locomotive Under Development
Universityof Minnesota is planning to develop a sustainable high-speed steam
locomotive that runs on solid biofuel. The project was announced today
by the Coalition for Sustainable Rail (CSR), a collaboration of the
University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment (IonE) and the
nonprofit Sustainable Rail International (SRI). The idea is to prove the
viability of the technology and, while at it, to set a new world record
for steam locomotive speed, reaching 130 miles per hour. »
Scientists Working on Solar Cells That Can Be Coated on Any Surface
Wouldn’t
it be convenient to be able to charge your phone, tablet or some other
portable device automatically, every time you go into the sun? It may
become possible in near future with the development of new organic
polymer solar cells that can be coated on almost any surface—like, for
instance, the surface of your clothes. With this technology you can just
put your device in your pocket on a sunny day and don’t worry about
charging it anymore. »
it be convenient to be able to charge your phone, tablet or some other
portable device automatically, every time you go into the sun? It may
become possible in near future with the development of new organic
polymer solar cells that can be coated on almost any surface—like, for
instance, the surface of your clothes. With this technology you can just
put your device in your pocket on a sunny day and don’t worry about
charging it anymore. »
U.S. Department of Energy to Invest $1 Million in Hydrogen Fuel
US
Department of Energy have announced last week a $1 million investment
into hydrogen fuel technologies. Money would be used to analyze possible
cost-effective ways for hydrogen fuel production and transport. This
action is a part of a long-term plan aimed at lowering hydrogen fuel
prices to $2-$4 per gallon gasoline equivalent (the amount of
alternative fuel it takes to equal the energy content of one liquid
gallon of gasoline) by year 2020. »
Department of Energy have announced last week a $1 million investment
into hydrogen fuel technologies. Money would be used to analyze possible
cost-effective ways for hydrogen fuel production and transport. This
action is a part of a long-term plan aimed at lowering hydrogen fuel
prices to $2-$4 per gallon gasoline equivalent (the amount of
alternative fuel it takes to equal the energy content of one liquid
gallon of gasoline) by year 2020. »
Yale Scientists Developing Next-Gen Solar Cells With Carbon Nanotubes
Researchersat the Yale University are perfecting a new photovoltaic cell
technology that would transform light into electricity more effectively
than the cells currently available. The technology is based on the
application of carbon nanotubes and is expected to be quite
cost-effective. »
Ionic Liquid Processing Effectively Works With Mixed Biofuel Feedstocks
Scientistsfrom Joint BioEnergy Institute, a research center led by Lawrence
Berkeley Lab, have shown that ionic liquid can be used not only for
treatment of individual biofuel feedstocks, but for multiple different
feedstocks mixed into a blend as well. »
Scientists Study Real-Time Structural Changes in Green Algae
Theway that algae and plants respond to light has been reinterpreted based
on results from experiments studying real-time structural changes in
green algae. »
Graphene Foam Improves Supercapacitor Performance
Researchersat the University of California, Riverside have developed a novel
nanometer scale ruthenium oxide anchored nanocarbon graphene foam
architecture that improves the performance of supercapacitors, a
development that could mean faster acceleration in electric vehicles and
longer battery life in portable electronics. »
Scientist Envisages Alcohol Powered Phones
GianmarioScotti, a scientist working at at Aalto University, has developed
economical and rapid methods for the purpose of fabricating micro fuel
cells that generate electrical energy from hydrogen, ethanol and
methanol. »
HELMETH Project to Store Solar, Wind Energy in Natural Gas
TheHELMETH EU project coordinated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
(KIT) aims to use surplus solar and wind power for the production of
chemical energy carriers. »
Ceramic Materials for Hydrogen Storage Developed
Engineersat the University of California, San Diego, have created new ceramic
materials that could be used to store hydrogen safely and efficiently. »
Sandia to Design Hydrogen-Powered Forklifts
Zero-emissionhydrogen fuel cell systems soon could be powering the forklifts used in
warehouses and other industrial settings at lower costs and with faster
refueling times than ever before, courtesy of a partnership between
Sandia National Laboratories and Hawaii Hydrogen Carriers (HHC). »
February, 2014: This Month in Energy
U.S.solar jobs are up 19.9% since last year, two “world’s largest” solar
projects are now operational, a number of studies address the issue of
energy and climate change, global wind energy capacity grows 12,5% in
2013 but the growth somewhat slows in the EU. We have collected all
these stories and more of the most important energy news of the past
month conveniently in one place for you to read. »
Energy Storage to Be Essential for Electrical Grid in Denmark
Anew report points out that the ability to store large amounts of energy
will be paramount for the future sustainable energy system in Denmark. »
ORNL Scientists Examine Electrochemical Processes in Batteries in Real-Time
Usinga new microscopy method, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak
Ridge National Laboratory can image and measure electrochemical
processes in batteries in real time and at nanoscale resolution. »
Scientists Make Algae Produce More Hydrogen
Scientistsat the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory have
demonstrated that just two of six iron-sulfur-containing ferredoxins in a
representative species of algae promote electron transfers to and from
hydrogenases. The finding suggests ways to increase the production of
hydrogen by algae, which could help turn hydrogen into a viable
alternative fuel for transportation. »
Tags:algaehydrogen production
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