Material & Energy

Soil-Powered Fuel Cell Harnesses Earth’s Energy

A microbial fuel cell buried in soil and generating powerBill Yen/Northwestern UniversityA groundbreaking innovation from Northwestern University showcases a compact device capable of producing electricity by harnessing the power generated as microbes decompose soil, as long as there is carbon present.This device, about the size of a paperback book, operates on microbial fuel...

Nuclear SMR Welding Breakthrough, From a Year to a Day

The reactor vessel welded by the new methodSheffield ForgemastersThe construction pace of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) accelerates significantly, with Sheffield Forgemasters, a UK company, completing the welding of a full-size nuclear reactor vessel in less than 24 hours, a stark contrast to the usual 12-month timeframe. The widespread adoption of this groundbreaking technology has...

Semi-transparent Solar Cell Achieves Groundbreaking Energy Conversion rates

Perovskite solar cell partially transparent under sunlight. Credit: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH(KIER)According to a recent press release, researchers at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in solar cell technology, developing perovskite-based semi-transparent solar cells with an unprecedented energy conversion efficiency of 21.68 percent.Advancements in Solar Cell TechnologySolar...

Innovative Carbon Capture System Installed on Container Ship to Reduce Emissions

Approximately 90% of global trade goods are transported via shipping across oceans. Credit: Unsplash.A London-based climate tech startup, Seabound, introduced a pioneering carbon capture system aboard the Sounion Trader container ship, marking a significant step in decarbonizing shipping.During a two-month voyage from Turkey to the Persian Gulf, Seabound's experimental pilot project successfully captured 78...

Yamaha Motor Unveils Hydrogen-Powered Outboard Motor Prototype

The prototype is scheduled for testing later this year. Credit: Yamaha/RoushYamaha Motor, a prominent manufacturing giant, has unveiled what they assert is a groundbreaking world-first prototype: a hydrogen-powered outboard motor designed to propel motorboats.Commitment to Carbon NeutralityDisplayed at the 2024 Miami Boat Show, this hydrogen-powered engine is the outcome of a collaboration between Yamaha...

Rich Offshore Geothermal Potential at Diverging Crust

Seafloor spreading rifts could offer some of the world's best geothermal resources, according to CGGCGGA groundbreaking and largely untapped energy source awaits beneath the ocean floor, as outlined in a whitepaper by geoscience technology consultancy CGG. Distinctive conditions beneath the seabed offer the potential for more affordable and readily accessible geothermal energy.Solar and wind...

Innovation in MOF Design with Generative AI and Supercomputing

Credit: Unsplash.MOFs consist of inorganic nodes, organic nodes, and organic linkers, offering countless configuration possibilities. To expedite the discovery process, researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, in collaboration with institutions including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), are leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, high-throughput screening, and molecular dynamics...

Harnessing Ocean Energy: Inaugural Underwater Tidal Kite Powers Gridh

The Dragon 4, a 4-meter (13-foot) variant of the kite, utilized in the Faroe Islands. Credit: MinestoA novel method of extracting renewable energy from the oceans has recently emerged, drawing attention to its innovative approach. This method, inspired by the movement of a kite, efficiently harnesses energy from tidal and ocean currents and is...

Quantum Dot Solar Cells Break Efficiency Record Target Silicon Technology Surpass

Solar cells made with quantum dots have achieved a new record efficiency, and been made more stable at the same timeDepositphotosEngineers at UNIST in South Korea have significantly enhanced the efficiency of one of the most promising and emerging solar cell technologies, achieving a world record efficiency of 18.1% in quantum dot solar cells.Quantum...

Gasoline vs. Diesel and the Perils of Mistaken Fuelling

Petrol and diesel filling station. Credit: Unsplash.The anxiety of choosing between the gasoline and diesel pumps at the fuel station is a universal experience for car owners. Beyond the potential inconvenience, the stakes are high – using the wrong fuel can spell significant trouble. But why are these two fuels so fundamentally different?Understanding the...