Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

No one-size-fits-all solution for the net-zero grid      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

As power generation from sources like solar and wind increases, along with the introduction of devices such as heat pumps and batteries, a new optimization tool will help the UK plan for a greener electricity network.   The researchers developed an algorithm to model how these smaller networks distributed electricity -- factoring in how local grids could become unbalanced by adding too many heat pumps in a single area or generating more electricity than the grid could accept.  

Computer Science: General Energy: Nuclear Energy: Technology Mathematics: General Mathematics: Modeling Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Nuclear expansion failure shows simulations require change      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers looked back at a model that predicted nuclear power would expand dramatically in order to assess the efficacy of energy policies implemented today.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Water splitting reaction for green hydrogen gas production improved      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Electrochemical catalysts used in water splitting often show poor performance due to low electrical conductance of (oxy)hydroxide species produced in situ. To overcome this challenge, researchers have now designed an electrode with Schottky Junction formed at the interface of metallic Ni-W5N4 and semiconducting NiFeOOH. The proposed electrode shows excellent catalytic activity and can facilitate industrial seawater splitting continuously for 10 days.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology
Published

Using cosmetic ingredient for battery protection      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research team has devised a battery electrode protective film using biopolymers sourced from cosmetic ingredients.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Technology Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

New water treatment method can generate green energy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have designed micromotors that move around on their own to purify wastewater. The process creates ammonia, which can serve as a green energy source. Now, an AI method will be used to tune the motors to achieve the best possible results.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Energy: Technology Environmental: General Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Putting sound waves to work to create safer public spaces      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Absorbing excess sound to make public environments like theaters and concert halls safer for hearing and using the unwanted sound waves to create electricity is the aim of a new paper. The authors built a system of piezoelectric sensors that can be installed in walls, floors, and ceilings to absorb sound waves and collect their energy. They used computer simulations to fine-tune variables including the voltage needed to power the main device component, the frequency and intensity of the input sound, and piezoelectric sensors tested in parallel and serial configurations.

Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

New study reveals surprising insights into feeding habits of carnivorous dinosaurs in North America      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research sheds light on the dining habits of ancient carnivorous dinosaurs from Jurassic rocks of the USA. A recent study explores the bite marks left on the ancient bones of the giant long-necked sauropod dinosaurs like Diplodocus and Brontosaurus by carnivorous theropod dinosaurs.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
Published

'Cooling glass' blasts building heat into space      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers aiming to combat rising global temperatures have developed a new 'cooling glass' that can turn down the heat indoors without electricity by drawing on the cold depths of space. The new technology, a microporous glass coating, can lower the temperature of the material beneath it by 3.5 degrees Celsius at noon, and has the potential to reduce a mid-rise apartment building's yearly carbon emissions by 10 percent.

Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Ammonia for fertilizers without the giant carbon footprint      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Green ammonia has the potential to drastically reduce the carbon footprint needed to produce fertilizer vital for crop-growing.

Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Earthquakes Geoscience: Geography Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

Some of today's earthquakes may be aftershocks from quakes in the 1800s      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In the 1800s, some of the strongest earthquakes in recorded U.S. history struck North America's continental interior. Almost two centuries later, the central and eastern United States may still be experiencing aftershocks from those events, a new study finds.

Anthropology: Early Humans Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Environmental: Ecosystems Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

No scientific evidence for cognitively advanced behaviors and symbolism by Homo naledi      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study casts doubt on claims that Homo naledi, a small-brained hominin dating to between 335-241,000 years ago, deliberately buried their dead and produced rock art in Rising Star Cave, South Africa. Recent articles suggested the recent excavations at the Rising Star Cave system provided evidence of at least three burial features, two in the Dinaledi Chamber and a third in the Hill Antechamber cavity. The group of experts have now called for a deeper dig into the science behind the findings.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Physics: Optics
Published

'Indoor solar' to power the Internet of Things      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

From Wi-Fi-connected home security systems to smart toilets, the so-called Internet of Things brings personalization and convenience to devices that help run homes. But with that comes tangled electrical cords or batteries that need to be replaced. Now, researchers have brought solar panel technology indoors to power smart devices. They show which photovoltaic (PV) systems work best under cool white LEDs, a common type of indoor lighting.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Environmental: General
Published

Advances in lithium-metal batteries, paving the way for safer, more powerful devices      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The boom in phones, laptops and other personal devices over the last few decades has been made possible by the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, but as climate change demands more powerful batteries for electric vehicles and grid-scale renewable storage, lithium-ion technology might not be enough. Lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) have theoretical capacities an order of magnitude greater than lithium-ion, but a more literal boom has stymied research for decades.

Biology: General Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: General
Published

Palaeo-CSI: Mosasaurs were picky eaters      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Mosasaurs, those large marine reptiles from the long-gone Cretaceous world, were quite picky in their choice of diet. Researchers came to this conclusion after studying the wear marks on mosasaur teeth.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Offbeat: General
Published

The secret to longer lasting batteries might be in how soap works      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers show that one of the most promising substances for designing longer lasting lithium batteries form micelle-like structures like they do in soap.

Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Deep decarbonization scenarios reveal importance of accelerating zero-emission vehicle adoption      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The rapid adoption of zero-emission electric vehicles will move the nation close to an 80% or more drop in transportation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from the 2019 level according to researchers.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

French love letters confiscated by Britain finally read after 265 years      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Over 100 letters sent to French sailors by their fianc es, wives, parents and siblings -- but never delivered -- have been opened and studied for the first time since they were written in 1757-8.

Chemistry: General Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Lightening the load: Researchers develop autonomous electrochemistry robot      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed an automated laboratory robot to run complex electrochemical experiments and analyze data. The Electrolab will be used to explore next-generation energy storage materials and chemical reactions that promote alternative and sustainable energy.