Search Results - solar

Two Teams are Assessing Asteroid Mining’s Economic Viability

Credit: Pixaobay Two groups of economists have conducted economic evaluations of asteroid mining. One of these groups comprises individuals from the University of Tor Rome Vergata, the University of Maryland, and Middlebury College. They have considered asteroid mining as a natural progression in the financialization of space exploration. The second team, consisting of three members from...

Droughts Raise River Water Temperatures

Credit: Depositphotos A recent study unveils the impending rise in river temperatures due to reduced water flows and increasing atmospheric temperatures, posing significant challenges for aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and human society. With the ongoing global warming attributed to climate change and the projected increase in the frequency and severity of droughts, a recent study sheds light...

Trade Associations Encourage Exploration of Alternatives to Electric Vehicles

An unexpected alliance composed of 100 petroleum, ethanol, farm, and retail organizations has called on the Biden administration to reevaluate its proposed "tailpipe" rule, which aims to make electric vehicles (EVs) the dominant new car and pickup truck choice by 2032.  This diverse group raised concerns about the rule's implications for gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. It hinted...

Harnessing Sunlight to Convert Wastewater into Valuable Chemicals

Schematic Illustrating Solar-Driven Chemical Production from Engineered V. natriegens and Wastewater Contaminants for Sustainable and Efficient Processes. Credit: Nature Sustainability (2023). A groundbreaking study led by Prof. Gao Xiang from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Prof. Lu Lu from the Harbin Institute of Technology introduces an innovative method...

Asteroid Discovery Suggests Widespread Liquid Water

A striking view of Asteroid Itokawa, as captured by the Hayabusa spacecraft. This S-type asteroid, known for its distinctive peanut shape, boasts a diameter of roughly 1,100 feet and completes a full rotation every 12 hours. Credit: JAXA. A recent breakthrough in asteroid research by the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft has profound implications for our understanding...

James Webb’s Carbon Discovery on Europa Bolsters the Case for Potential Life

The case for life on Jupiter's moon Europa just got stronger, thanks to the detection of carbon dioxide on its surfaceNASA The prime locations within our solar system for seeking extraterrestrial life aren't planets such as Mars; rather, they are icy moons like Europa. The evidence supporting the existence of life on this watery celestial...

Fluid Material Controls Light and Heat Passage in Windows

Scientists have developed a new type of dynamic window that can switch between three modes, selectively blocking light and/or heat. Credit: Pixaobay Windows are essential for allowing both light and heat into a space, but there are situations where you may not want both simultaneously. Recently, engineers from North Carolina State University (NCSU) have created...

Can Smart City Technology Alleviate Urban Water Shortages?

Credit: Smart City. Urban areas worldwide confront numerous challenges, from inadequate healthcare and food deserts to climate change-induced water scarcity. Climate change is undeniably wreaking havoc across the globe, and urban centers are no exception.  It's not just the American West grappling with potential power and water shortages; urban populations face risks if these global climate patterns...

An Enigmatic Unseen Influence Is Producing Water on the Moon.

Credit: Pixaobay While we are aware of the existence of lunar ice, its origin remains somewhat uncertain. A recent investigation proposes that streams of electrons, which indirectly originate from both Earth and the Sun, are playing a role in the creation of frozen water on the Moon's surface. These electrons impact the Moon when it traverses...

The Impact of Trees on the Process of Cloud Formation

Credit: Pixaobay Within the scope of the CLOUD project at CERN's nuclear research center, scientists at PSI have pinpointed sesquiterpenes, which are gaseous hydrocarbons emitted by plants, as a significant contributor to cloud formation. This discovery holds the potential to minimize uncertainties in climate models and enhance the precision of climate predictions. The research findings...