Machines have long excelled at replicating sight and sound, but taste has remained much harder to capture in digital form. While previous efforts have produced artificial tongues specialized for sweetness, wine, or whisky, researchers in Beijing have now created a more versatile graphene oxide-based “tongue” that not only detects chemicals but also learns to recognize […]
An Artificial Tongue That Learns Flavors Read More »
A long-dismissed scientific controversy and a small-scale device at the University of British Columbia (UBC) may hold the secret to making fusion reactors more efficient by improving the likelihood of nuclear reactions. The Bold Claim of 1989 Back in March 1989, electrochemists Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons shocked the world when they announced that they
’80s Science Scandal Could Pave the Way for More Efficient Fusion Read More »
Integrating transition metal oxides with carbon-based materials via engineered chemical interfaces enhances conductivity, storage capacity, and stability, leading to improved performance of energy storage systems. Innovative Hybrid Anode Design Enhances Lithium-Ion Battery Performance and Efficiency Researchers at Dongguk University have made major strides in lithium-ion battery technology by developing a novel hybrid anode material. This
Revolutionary Hybrid Anode Sets the Stage for Next-Generation Energy Storage Read More »
As the number of electric vehicles grows, regulators and automakers are looking at solutions for handling the millions of spent EV batteries. These batteries still hold valuable lithium even after they’re no longer usable, and recycling it for new batteries is possible—but developing a cost-effective method is essential. A team of chemists from the University
A New Electrochemical Method could Make Lithium Recycling from EV Batteries Cheaper Read More »
A team from the University of Waterloo has created a low-cost device that can power a calculator using just discarded walnut shells and a few drops of water. Their findings appear in Energy & Environmental Materials. The coin-sized water-induced electric generator (WEG) creates electricity as water evaporates through the shell’s intricate pore network. “With just
Small Device Harnesses Nut Waste and Drops of Water to Create Sustainable Energy Read More »
When most people think of solar energy, the spotlight usually falls on solar cells and panels. Yet there’s another way to harvest power from the Sun: a device called a STEG. Scientists have now found a method to make it up to 15 times more efficient. STEG, short for solar thermoelectric generator, operates through the
Laser-etched Black Metal Brings Niche Solar Tech Into the Spotlight Read More »
Carbon dioxide may not typically be associated with clean energy innovation, but a new collaboration between Google and Italian company Energy Dome is set to change that perception. The partnership will see CO₂ used within large-scale battery systems designed to balance and store renewable energy. Tackling Renewable Energy Intermittency According to Google, the agreement will
Google Turns to CO₂-Powered Energy Domes for Clean Power Management Read More »
China currently dominates around 90% of the global market for rare earth magnets, overseeing both their extraction and refinement. As a result, components like neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium—essential to electric vehicle motors, drones, wind turbines, and smartphones—are largely under China’s influence, with supply and geopolitical shifts giving the country significant leverage. Conifer’s Iron-Based Alternative to
Conifer’s Iron-Based Electric Motors Bypass China’s Rare Earth Monopoly Read More »
A new offshore test platform off Germany’s North Sea coast is now operational, harnessing seawater, air, and wind to generate entirely clean hydrogen. Designed as a modular system, it also integrates several other sustainable energy technologies. Harnessing Wind for Onboard Electrolysis Part of the H2Mare initiative, this platform capitalizes on the strong and consistent wind
Floating Wind-Powered Platform Serves as a Versatile Hub for Green Fuel Production Read More »
Researchers are working to identify new semiconductor materials that could enhance the performance of solar cells and electronic devices. However, progress is slowed by the time-consuming process of manually measuring key material properties. Accelerating Discovery with Autonomous Photoconductance Testing To accelerate this process, MIT scientists have created a fully autonomous robotic system. This system employs
Automated System Swiftly Evaluates New Material Features Read More »