Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Arrays of quantum rods could enhance TVs or virtual reality devices      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Using scaffolds of folded DNA, engineers assembled arrays of quantum rods with desirable photonic properties that could enable them to be used as highly efficient micro-LEDs for televisions or virtual reality devices.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Researchers 'film' novel catalyst at work      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A novel catalysis scheme enables chemical reactions that were previously virtually impossible. The method is also environmentally friendly and does not require rare and precious metals. The researchers recorded the exact course of the catalysis in a kind of high-speed film. They did this using special lasers that can make processes visible that last only fractions of a billionth of a second. The results allow them to further optimize the catalyst.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Making molecules dance to our tune reveals what drives their first movements      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Bringing ultrafast physics to structural biology has revealed the dance of molecular 'coherence' in unprecedented clarity.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Materials research: biocatalytic foams of tremendous stability and activity      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Industrial biocatalysis with enzymes is deemed to be a 'game changer' in the development of a sustainable chemical industry. Enzymes can be used to synthesize an impressive range of complex molecules, including pharmaceutical substances, under environmentally compatible conditions. Researchers have now developed a new class of materials by producing enzyme foams of tremendous stability and activity.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Graphene
Published

Human scent receptors could help 'sniff out' nerve gases in new sensor      (via sciencedaily.com) 

By some estimates, the human nose can detect up to a trillion different smells with its hundreds of scent receptors. But even just catching a quick whiff of certain chemicals known as nerve agents can be lethal, even in tiny amounts. Researchers have now developed a sensitive and selective nerve gas sensor using these human scent receptors. It reliably detected a substitute for deadly sarin gas in simulated tests.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

AuNi alloy on Au electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction: Towards a cleaner tomorrow      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Gold (Au)-based electrocatalysts used for hydrogen production via water electrolysis exhibit high chemical stability but low hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. Alloying them with nickel (Ni) can improve their HER activity. A recent study investigated the HER activity and surface properties of AuNi alloy prepared on single crystal Au surfaces, revealing the atomic structural changes and surface sites responsible for enhanced HER activity of AuNi/Au catalyst during electrolysis.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Engineering: Robotics Research Geoscience: Environmental Issues Physics: Optics
Published

New photocatalytic system converts carbon dioxide to valuable fuel more efficiently than natural photosynthesis      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team recently developed a stable artificial photocatalytic system that is more efficient than natural photosynthesis. The new system mimics a natural chloroplast to convert carbon dioxide in water into methane, a valuable fuel, very efficiently using light. This is a promising discovery, which could contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Geoscience: Geology Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Space Physics: Optics Space: The Solar System
Published

Sun 'umbrella' tethered to asteroid might help mitigate climate change      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Earth is rapidly warming and scientists are developing a variety of approaches to reduce the effects of climate change. An astronomer has proposed a novel approach -- a solar shield to reduce the amount of sunlight hitting Earth, combined with a tethered, captured asteroid as a counterweight. Engineering studies using this approach could start now to create a workable design that could mitigate climate change within decades.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Batteries Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Solar batteries: New material makes it possible to simultaneously absorb light and store energy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers are making progress on the design of a solar battery made from an abundant, non-toxic and easily synthesized material composed of 2D carbon nitride.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Nuclear
Published

Fusion model hot off the wall      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Heat load mitigation is critical to extending the lifetime of future fusion device. Researchers have found a way to explain the rotational temperatures measured in three different experimental fusion devices in Japan and the United States. Their model evaluates the surface interactions and electron-proton collisions of hydrogen molecules.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Renewable solar energy can help purify water, the environment      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Chemists have demonstrated that water remediation can be powered in part -- and perhaps even exclusively -- by renewable energy sources.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology
Published

Device makes hydrogen from sunlight with record efficiency      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers have created a device that turns sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency by integrating next-generation halide perovskite semiconductors with electrocatalysts in a single, durable, cost-effective and scalable device.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology
Published

Bifacial perovskite solar cells point to higher efficiency      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A bifacial perovskite solar cell, which allows sunlight to reach both sides of the device, holds the potential to produce higher energy yields at lower overall costs.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

Improving high-temperature stability of perovskite solar cells      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have found a way to significantly improve the operational stability of perovskite solar cells at high temperatures, which is necessary for their use in terawatt power grids.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

Titanium oxide material lets sunlight drive green hydrogen production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

As part of ongoing efforts to develop materials that could enable alternative energy sources, researchers have produced a titanium oxide nanofilament material that can harness sunlight to unlock the ubiquitous molecule's potential as a fuel source.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Geoscience: Severe Weather Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Supercomputer used to simulate winds that cause clear air turbulence      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Using Japan's most powerful supercomputer, researchers reproduced cases of clear air turbulence around Tokyo. They simulated the fine vortices responsible for this dangerous phenomenon. The usefulness of the simulation in predicting turbulence was confirmed by comparing simulation data with data from aircraft recordings. This research should improve the forecasting of turbulence.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

A better understanding of turbulence      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Experiments at a unique wind tunnel show that laws formulated more than 80 years ago and their extensions only incompletely explain turbulent flows.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

Unused renewable energy an option for powering NFT trade      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Unused solar, wind, and hydroelectric power in the U.S. could support the exponential growth of transactions involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs), researchers have found.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

Organic electronics: Sustainability during the entire lifecycle      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Organic electronics can make a decisive contribution to decarbonization and, at the same time, help to cut the consumption of rare and valuable raw materials. To do so, it is not only necessary to further develop manufacturing processes, but also to devise technical solutions for recycling as early on as the laboratory phase. Materials scientists are now promoting this circular strategy.