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Categories: Chemistry: Thermodynamics, Energy: Batteries
Published Gentle method allows for eco-friendly recycling of solar cells
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source By using a new method, precious metals can be efficiently recovered from thin-film solar cells. The method is also more environmentally friendly than previous methods of recycling and paves the way for more flexible and highly efficient solar cells.
Published Chemists redesign biological PHAs, 'dream' biodegradable plastics
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source They've been called 'dream' plastics: polyhydroxyalkanoates, or PHAs. Already the basis of a fledgling industry, they're a class of polymers naturally created by living microorganisms, or synthetically produced from biorenewable feedstocks. They're biodegradable in the ambient environment, including oceans and soil.
Published Electrification push will have enormous impacts on critical metals supply chain
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The demand for battery-grade lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and platinum will climb steeply as vehicle electrification speeds up and nations work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through mid-century. This surge in demand will also create a variety of economic and supply-chain problems, according to new research.
Published Cities will need more resilient electricity networks to cope with extreme weather
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Dense urban areas amplify the effects of higher temperatures, due to the phenomenon of heat islands in cities. This makes cities more vulnerable to extreme climate events. Large investments in the electricity network will be necessary to cool us down during heatwaves and keep us warm during cold snaps, according to a new study.
Published New textile unravels warmth-trapping secrets of polar bear fur
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Engineers have invented a fabric that concludes the 80-year quest to make a synthetic textile modeled on polar bear fur. The results are already being developed into commercially available products.
Published Solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries: Neutrons unveil sluggish charge transport
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Solid-state Lithium-Sulfur batteries offer the potential for much higher energy densities and increased safety, compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, the performance of solid-state batteries is currently lacking, with slow charging and discharging being one of the primary causes. Now, a new study shows that sluggish lithium ion transport within a composite cathode is the cause of this slow charging and discharging.
Published Absolute zero in the quantum computer
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Absolute zero cannot be reached -- unless you have an infinite amount of energy or an infinite amount of time. Scientists in Vienna (Austria) studying the connection between thermodynamics and quantum physics have now found out that there is a third option: Infinite complexity. It turns out that reaching absolute zero is in a way equivalent to perfectly erasing information in a quantum computer, for which an infinetly complex quantum computer would be required.
Published Major storage capacity in water-based batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Chemical engineers have discovered a 1,000% difference in the storage capacity of metal-free, water-based battery electrodes.
Published Thermal paint: MXene spray coating can harness infrared radiation for heating or cooling
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An international team of researchers has found that a thin coating of MXene -- a type of two-dimensional nanomaterial -- could enhance a material's ability to trap or shed heat. The discovery, which is tied to MXene's ability to regulate the passage of ambient infrared radiation, could lead to advances in thermal clothing, heating elements and new materials for radiative heating and cooling.
Published Revolutionary battery technology to boost EV range 10-fold or more
(via sciencedaily.com) A team develops layering-charged, polymer-based stable high-capacity anode material.
Published Colorful films could help buildings, cars keep their cool
(via sciencedaily.com) The cold blast of an air conditioner can be a relief as temperatures soar, but 'A/C' units require large amounts of energy and can leak greenhouse gases. Today, scientists report an eco-friendly alternative -- a plant-based film that cools when exposed to sunlight and comes in many textures and bright, iridescent colors. The material could someday keep buildings, cars and other structures cool without requiring power.
Published Surprise effect: Methane cools even as it heats
(via sciencedaily.com) Most climate models do not yet account for a recent discovery: methane traps a great deal of heat in Earth's atmosphere, but also creates cooling clouds that offset 30% of the heat.
Published What really matters in multi-story building design?
(via sciencedaily.com) The impact of multi-story building design considerations on embodied carbon emissions, cost, and operational energy has been revealed.
Published Robot caterpillar demonstrates new approach to locomotion for soft robotics
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have demonstrated a caterpillar-like soft robot that can move forward, backward and dip under narrow spaces. The caterpillar-bot's movement is driven by a novel pattern of silver nanowires that use heat to control the way the robot bends, allowing users to steer the robot in either direction.
Published New invention: The oxygen-ion battery
(via sciencedaily.com) An oxygen-ion-battery has been invented, based on ceramic materials. If it degrades, it can be regenerated, therefore it potentially has an extremely long lifespan. Also, it does not require any rare elements and it is incombustible. For large energy storage systems, this could be an optimal solution.
Published Batteries: Passivation layer mystery solved
(via sciencedaily.com) In our daily lives, lithium-ion batteries have become indispensable. They function only because of a passivation layer that forms during their initial cycle. As researchers found out via simulations, this solid electrolyte interphase develops not directly at the electrode but aggregates in the solution. Their findings allow the optimization of the performance and lifetime of future batteries.
Published Molecular teamwork makes the organic dream work
(via sciencedaily.com) Molecular engineers have triggered a domino-like structural transition in an organic semiconductor. The energy- and time-saving phenomenon may enhance the performance of smartwatches, solar cells, and other organic electronics.
Published High-energy-density, long life-cycle rechargeable lithium metal batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) Research shows promise for developing high-energy-density rechargeable lithium-metal batteries and addressing the electrochemical oxidation instability of ether-based electrolytes.
Published Bushfire safe rooms may save lives
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have built and tested a bushfire safe room that exceeds current Australian standards and could keep people alive or protect valuables when evacuation is no longer an option.
Published Stalactites and stalagmites in the battery?
(via sciencedaily.com) They are considered the 'Holy Grail' of battery research: so-called 'solid-state batteries'. They no longer have a liquid core, as is the case with today's batteries, but consist of a solid material. This leads to several advantages: Among other things, these batteries are more difficult to ignite and can also be manufactured on a miniature scale. Scientists have now turned their attention to the life cycle of such batteries and targeted processes that reduce it. With their findings, more durable solid-state batteries could be realized in the future.