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Categories: Chemistry: Thermodynamics, Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published Fundamental research improves understanding of new optical materials
(via sciencedaily.com) Research into the synthesis of new materials could lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly items such as solar panels and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Scientists have developed a colloidal synthesis method for alkaline earth chalcogenides. This method allows them to control the size of the nanocrystals in the material and study the surface chemistry of the nanocrystals.
Published Passive cooling system could benefit off-grid locations
(via sciencedaily.com) A new passive cooling system relies on evaporation and radiation and requires no electricity. The device can provide up to about 19 degrees Fahrenheit (9.3 degrees Celsius) of cooling from the ambient temperature, to help keep food fresh longer or supplement air conditioning.
Published Novel carrier doping in p-type semiconductors enhances photovoltaic device performance by increasing hole concentration
(via sciencedaily.com) The carrier concentration and conductivity in p-type monovalent copper semiconductors can be significantly enhanced by adding alkali metal impurities. Doping with isovalent and larger-sized alkali metal ions effectively increased the free charge carrier concentration, and the mechanism was unraveled by their theoretical calculations. Their carrier doping technology enables high carrier concentration and high mobility p-type thin films to be prepared from the solution process, with photovoltaic device applications.
Published Paving the way for large-scale, efficient organic solar cells with water treatment
(via sciencedaily.com) Using water for morphology control of active layer thin films, researchers develop large-area, high-performance organic solar cells.
Published New laser-based instrument designed to boost hydrogen research
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed an analytical instrument that uses an ultrafast laser for precise temperature and concentration measurements of hydrogen. Researchers describe a new coherent Raman spectroscopy instrument, made possible due to a setup that converts broadband light from a laser with short (femtosecond) pulses into extremely short supercontinuum pulses, which contain a wide range of wavelengths. Their new approach could help advance the study of greener hydrogen-based fuels for use in spacecraft and airplanes.
Published Decarbonizing the energy system by 2050 could save trillions
(via sciencedaily.com) Transitioning to a decarbonized energy system by around 2050 is expected to save the world at least $12 trillion compared to continuing our current levels of fossil fuel use, according to a new study.
Published New ice-shedding coating is 100x stronger than others
(via sciencedaily.com) To combat the hazards of ice, a mechanical engineer has developed a sprayable ice-shedding material that is 100 times stronger than any others. It's been tested by Boeing under erosive rain conditions at 385 miles per hour and outperformed current state-of-the-art aerospace coating technologies.
Published Nanotubes illuminate the way to living photovoltaics
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists have gotten bacteria to spontaneously take up fluorescent carbon nanotubes for the first time. The breakthrough unlocks new biotechnology applications for prokaryotes, such as near-infrared bacteria tracking and 'living photovoltaics' -- devices that generate energy using light-harvesting bacteria.
Published A breakthrough discovery in carbon capture conversion for ethylene production
(via sciencedaily.com) A team of researchers has discovered a way to convert 100% of carbon dioxide captured from industrial exhaust into ethylene, a key building block for plastic products.
Published A little strain goes a long way in reducing fuel cell performance
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers report that strain caused by just a 2% reduction in the distance between atoms when deposited on a surface leads to a whopping 99.999% decrease in the speed at which the materials conduct hydrogen ions, greatly reducing the performance of solid oxide fuel cells. Developing methods to reduce this strain will help bring high-performance fuel cells for clean energy production to a wider number of households in the future.
Published Solar energy breakthrough: Perovskite cell with greater stability, efficiency
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have made a technological breakthrough and constructed a perovskite solar cell with the dual benefits of being both highly efficient and highly stable.
Published Super-dense packing of hydrogen molecules on a surface
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists describe the formation of a superdense monolayer of hydrogen on highly ordered mesoporous silica near the boiling temperature. Theoretical studies and simulations confirm the experimental observations of the unusually high hydrogen density in the adsorbed layer and may also open new possibilities for enhancing the volumetric capacity of cryogenic hydrogen storage systems.
Published Major leap for stable high-efficiency perovskite solar cells
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Solar cells manufactured from materials known as 'perovskites' are catching up with the efficiency of traditional silicon-based solar cells. At the same time, they have advantages of low cost and short energy payback time. However, such solar cells have problems with stability -- something that researchers have now managed to solve. The results are a major step forwards in the quest for next-generation solar cells.
Published A sustainable battery with a biodegradable electrolyte made from crab shells
(via sciencedaily.com) Accelerating demand for renewable energy and electric vehicles is sparking a high demand for the batteries that store generated energy and power engines. But the batteries behind these sustainability solutions aren't always sustainable themselves. Scientists have now create a zinc battery with a biodegradable electrolyte from an unexpected source -- crab shells.
Published Wind turbine blades could someday be recycled into sweet treats
(via sciencedaily.com) Wind power is an increasingly popular form of renewable energy. But when it's time to replace the huge turbine blades that convert wind into electricity, disposal is a problem. Today, scientists report a new composite resin for making these behemoths that could later be recycled into new turbine blades or many other products, including countertops, car taillights, diapers and even gummy bears.
Published Report highlights technology advancement and value of wind energy
(via sciencedaily.com) Wind energy continues to see strong growth, solid performance, and attractive prices in the U.S., according to a recent report.
Published Do wind instruments disperse COVID aerosol droplets?
(via sciencedaily.com) Orchestral ensembles have faced many challenges when starting to perform again during the COVID pandemic, and contamination is a chief concern: specifically, whether wind instruments are vectors of contamination through aerosol dispersion. Researchers worked with musicians to deepen our understanding of how much aerosol is produced and dispersed by wind instruments. They used visualization to characterize the flow, tracked fog particles in the air, and measured aerosol concentration from wind instruments with a particle counter. Then they combined these to develop an equation to describe aerosol dispersion.
Published New faster charging hydrogen fuel cell developed
(via sciencedaily.com) A new design for solid-state hydrogen storage could significantly reduce charging times.
Published A new method boosts wind farms' energy output, without new equipment
(via sciencedaily.com) Engineers have developed a method to increase wind farms' energy output. Whereas individual turbines are typically controlled separately, the new approach models the wind flow of the entire collection of turbines and optimizes the control of individual units.
Published Tweaking turbine angles squeezes more power out of wind farms
(via sciencedaily.com) New algorithm forces turbines in wind farms to be team players, boosting energy output overall.