https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/petroleum/ Petroleum Engineering. From coal-based jet fuel to undiscovered petroleum resources, read all the petroleum industry news here. en-us Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:38:48 EDT Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:38:48 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/petroleum/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260309225217.htm Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a new aluminum alloy called RidgeAlloy that can turn contaminated car-body scrap into strong structural vehicle parts. Normally, impurities introduced during recycling make this scrap unsuitable for high-performance applications. RidgeAlloy overcomes that challenge, enabling recycled aluminum to meet the strength and durability standards required for modern vehicles. The technology could slash energy use, reduce imports, and unlock a huge new supply of domestic aluminum. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 20:46:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260309225217.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260307155938.htm Solid-state batteries could be safer and more energy-dense than today’s lithium-ion technology, but finding materials that allow ions to move quickly through solid electrolytes has been difficult. Researchers developed a machine learning pipeline that predicts Raman spectra and identifies a distinctive low-frequency signal linked to liquid-like ion motion inside crystals. This signal appears when rapid ion movement temporarily disrupts a crystal’s symmetry. The approach could dramatically speed up the discovery of superionic materials for advanced batteries. Sat, 07 Mar 2026 16:59:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260307155938.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050622.htm Fusion energy may be one of the most promising clean power sources of the future—but only if scientists can precisely measure the extreme, fast-moving plasmas that make it possible. A new U.S. Department of Energy–sponsored report urges major investment in advanced diagnostic tools—the high-tech “sensors” that track plasma temperature, density, and behavior inside fusion systems. Bringing together 70 experts from universities, national labs, and private industry, the workshop identified seven priority areas ranging from burning plasma to full-scale pilot plants. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:50:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050622.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031603.htm A surprising breakthrough could help sodium-ion batteries rival lithium—and even turn seawater into drinking water. Scientists discovered that keeping water inside a key battery material, instead of removing it as traditionally done, dramatically boosts performance. The “wet” version stores nearly twice as much charge, charges faster, and remains stable for hundreds of cycles, placing it among the top-performing sodium battery materials ever reported. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:17:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031603.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031554.htm Ocean waves are a vast and steady source of renewable energy, but capturing their power efficiently has long frustrated engineers. A researcher at The University of Osaka has now explored a bold new approach: a gyroscopic wave energy converter that uses a spinning flywheel inside a floating structure to turn wave motion into electricity. By harnessing gyroscopic precession—the subtle wobble of a spinning object under force—the system can be tuned to absorb energy across a wide range of wave conditions. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:33:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031554.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212234154.htm Scientists at HKUST have unveiled a major leap forward in calcium-ion battery technology, potentially opening the door to safer, more sustainable energy storage for everything from renewable power grids to electric vehicles. By designing a novel quasi-solid-state electrolyte made from redox-active covalent organic frameworks, the team solved long-standing issues that have held calcium batteries back—namely poor ion transport and limited stability. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 02:00:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212234154.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260203030548.htm Researchers have found that manganese, an abundant and inexpensive metal, can be used to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into formate, a potential hydrogen source for fuel cells. The key was a clever redesign that made the catalyst last far longer than similar low-cost materials. Surprisingly, the improved manganese catalyst even beat many expensive precious-metal options. The discovery could help turn greenhouse gas into clean energy ingredients. Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:08:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260203030548.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034148.htm A new building material developed by engineers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute could change how the world builds. Made using an enzyme that turns carbon dioxide into solid minerals, the material cures in hours and locks away carbon instead of releasing it. It’s strong, repairable, recyclable, and far cleaner than concrete. If adopted widely, it could slash emissions across the construction industry. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:41:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034148.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074503.htm Researchers found that U.S. metal mines already contain large amounts of critical minerals that are mostly going unused. Recovering even a small fraction of these byproducts could sharply reduce dependence on imports for materials essential to clean energy and advanced technology. In many cases, the value of these recovered minerals could exceed the value of the mines’ primary products. The findings point to a surprisingly simple way to boost domestic supply without opening new mines. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:58:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251213032611.htm MOCHI uses microscopic, air-filled channels to stop heat in its tracks while remaining nearly crystal clear. If scaled up, it could transform windows into powerful energy savers and solar harvesters. Sat, 13 Dec 2025 22:54:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251213032611.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092026.htm Scientists developed a high-performance hydrogen-production catalyst using lignin, a common waste product from paper and biorefinery processes. The nickel–iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in carbon fibers deliver fast kinetics, long-term durability, and low overpotential. Microscopy and modeling show that a tailored nanoscale interface drives the catalyst’s strong activity. The discovery points toward more sustainable and industrially scalable clean-energy materials. Thu, 11 Dec 2025 04:29:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092026.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024241.htm Kyushu University scientists have achieved a major leap in fuel cell technology by enabling efficient proton transport at just 300°C. Their scandium-doped oxide materials create a wide, soft pathway that lets protons move rapidly without clogging the crystal lattice. This solves a decades-old barrier in solid-oxide fuel cell development and could make hydrogen power far more affordable. Fri, 05 Dec 2025 02:33:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118212039.htm A nationwide analysis has uncovered how sprawling fossil fuel infrastructure sits surprisingly close to millions of American homes. The research shows that 46.6 million people live within about a mile of wells, refineries, pipelines, storage sites, or transport facilities. Many of these locations release pollutants that may affect nearby communities, yet mid-supply-chain sites have rarely been studied. The findings reveal major gaps in understanding how this hidden network affects health. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 09:09:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118212039.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251114041228.htm A new floating droplet electricity generator is redefining how rain can be harvested as a clean power source by using water itself as both structural support and an electrode. This nature-integrated design dramatically reduces weight and cost compared to traditional solid-based generators while still producing high-voltage outputs from each falling drop. It remains stable in harsh natural conditions, scales to large functional devices, and has the potential to power sensors, off-grid electronics, and distributed energy systems on lakes and coastal waters. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 09:57:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251114041228.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251108083912.htm Stanford scientists found that strontium titanate improves its performance when frozen to near absolute zero, showing extraordinary optical and mechanical behavior. Its nonlinear and piezoelectric properties make it ideal for cryogenic quantum technologies. Once overlooked, this cheap, accessible material now promises to advance lasers, computing, and space exploration alike. Sun, 09 Nov 2025 01:25:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251108083912.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251106003937.htm Researchers are exploring MXenes, 2D materials that could transform air into ammonia for cleaner fertilizers and fuels. Their atomic structures can be tuned to optimize performance, making them promising alternatives to expensive catalysts. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:07:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251106003937.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050712.htm A new copper-magnesium-iron catalyst transforms CO2 into CO at low temperatures with record-breaking efficiency and stability. The discovery paves the way for affordable, scalable production of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels. Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:56:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050712.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031622.htm Scientists have developed a chromium-molybdenum-silicon alloy that withstands extreme heat while remaining ductile and oxidation-resistant. It could replace nickel-based superalloys, which are limited to about 1,100°C. The new material might make turbines and engines significantly more efficient, marking a major step toward cleaner, more powerful energy systems. Thu, 23 Oct 2025 06:19:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031622.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251007081814.htm Solar energy is now the cheapest source of power worldwide, driving a massive shift toward renewables. Falling battery prices and innovations in solar materials are making clean energy more reliable than ever. Yet, grid congestion and integration remain key challenges. Experts say smart grids and sustained policy support are crucial to accelerate the transition. Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:18:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251007081814.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085620.htm A Penn State research team found that streetlights could double as affordable EV charging stations. After installing 23 units in Kansas City, they discovered these chargers were faster, cheaper, and more eco-friendly than traditional stations. Their AI-based framework also prioritized equity and scalability, making it adaptable for cities across the country. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:56:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085620.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929055022.htm A new boron-rich compound, manganese diboride, delivers much higher energy density than current solid-rocket materials while remaining stable until intentionally ignited. Its power comes from an unusual, strained atomic structure formed during ultra-hot synthesis, with promising uses beyond propulsion. Tue, 30 Sep 2025 05:52:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929055022.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031239.htm Oil wells often dry up far earlier than predicted, leaving companies baffled about the “missing” reserves. A Penn State team tackled this puzzle by harnessing PSC’s Bridges-2 supercomputer, adding a time dimension and amplitude analysis to traditional seismic data. Their findings revealed hidden rock structures blocking oil flow, meaning reserves weren’t gone—they were trapped. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 09:18:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031239.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035016.htm Bio-tar, once seen as a toxic waste, can be transformed into bio-carbon with applications in clean energy and environmental protection. This innovation could reduce emissions, create profits, and solve a major bioenergy industry problem. Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:49:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250920214447.htm When two neutron stars collide, they unleash some of the most powerful forces in the universe, creating ripples in spacetime, showers of radiation, and even the building blocks of gold and platinum. Now, new simulations from Penn State and the University of Tennessee Knoxville reveal that elusive particles called neutrinos—able to shift between different “flavors”—play a crucial role in shaping what emerges from these cataclysmic events. Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:53:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250920214447.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010717.htm Hydrogen fuel cells could power cars, devices, and homes with nothing but water as a byproduct—but platinum’s cost holds them back. Chinese researchers have now unveiled a breakthrough iron-based catalyst that could rival platinum while boosting efficiency and durability. With its clever “inner activation, outer protection” design, this new catalyst not only reduces harmful byproducts but also shatters performance records, potentially paving the way for cleaner, cheaper, and more practical hydrogen energy. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 05:22:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010717.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250822073812.htm Researchers at the University of British Columbia have shown that a small bench-top reactor can enhance nuclear fusion rates by electrochemically loading a metal with deuterium fuel. Unlike massive magnetic confinement reactors, their experiment uses a room-temperature setup that packs deuterium into palladium like a sponge, boosting the likelihood of fusion events. Sat, 23 Aug 2025 09:41:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250822073812.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818103002.htm Lithium battery recycling offers a powerful solution to rising demand, with discarded batteries still holding most of their valuable materials. Compared to mining, recycling slashes emissions and resource use while unlocking major economic potential. Yet infrastructure, policy, and technology hurdles must still be overcome. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 23:03:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250818103002.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250729001217.htm Researchers are exploring AI-powered digital twins as a game-changing tool to accelerate the clean energy transition. These digital models simulate and optimize real-world energy systems like wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass. But while they hold immense promise for improving efficiency and sustainability, the technology is still riddled with challenges—from environmental variability and degraded equipment modeling to data scarcity and complex biological processes. Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:05:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250729001217.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250623072757.htm Researchers in Sweden have developed a powerful new material that dramatically boosts the ability to create hydrogen fuel from water using sunlight, making the process eight times more effective than before. This breakthrough could be key to fueling heavy transport like ships and planes with clean, renewable energy. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:27:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250623072757.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250622030532.htm A Rice University team discovered that bubbling CO₂ through a mild acid dramatically improves the lifespan and efficiency of electrochemical devices that convert CO₂ into useful fuels. This simple trick prevents salt buildup—a major barrier to commercialization—by altering local chemistry just enough to keep salts dissolved and flowing. The result? A device that ran for over 4,500 hours without clogging, using common catalysts and scalable technology. It's a breakthrough that could make green CO₂ conversion far more viable in the real world. Sun, 22 Jun 2025 03:05:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250622030532.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231645.htm Researchers in South Korea have developed a powerful and affordable new material for producing hydrogen, a clean energy source key to fighting climate change. By fine-tuning boron-doping and phosphorus levels in cobalt phosphide nanosheets, the team dramatically boosted the efficiency of both sides of water-splitting reactions. This advancement could unlock scalable, low-cost hydrogen production, transforming how we generate clean fuel. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:16:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231645.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603172908.htm Australia can reach net-zero emissions and still protect its natural treasures but only if everyone works together. New research from Princeton and The University of Queensland shows that the country can build the massive amount of renewable energy infrastructure needed by 2060 without sacrificing biodiversity, agriculture, or Indigenous land rights. But the path is delicate: if stakeholders clash instead of collaborate, the result could be soaring costs and a devastating shortfall in clean energy. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:29:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603172908.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124623.htm In a major advancement for sustainable construction, scientists have created a cement-free soil solidifier from industrial waste. By combining Siding Cut Powder and activated by Earth Silica, an alkaline stimulant from recycled glass, scientists produced a high-performance material that meets compressive strength standards exceeding the 160 kN/m construction-grade threshold and eliminates arsenic leaching through calcium hydroxide stabilization. The technology reduces landfill volumes and carbon emissions, offering a circular solution for infrastructure development worldwide. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:46:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124623.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124114.htm Reducing travel speeds and using an intelligent queuing system at busy ports can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oceangoing container vessels by 16-24%, according to researchers. Not only would those relatively simple interventions reduce emissions from a major, direct source of greenhouse gases, the technology to implement these measures already exists. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:41:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124114.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180926.htm Researchers have designed a liquid hydrogen storage and delivery system that could help make zero-emission aviation a reality. Their work outlines a scalable, integrated system that addresses several engineering challenges at once by enabling hydrogen to be used as a clean fuel and also as a built-in cooling medium for critical power systems aboard electric-powered aircraft. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180926.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124115.htm Engineers developed a fuel cell that offers more than three times as much energy per pound compared to lithium-ion batteries. Powered by a reaction between sodium metal and air, the device could be lightweight enough to enable the electrification of airplanes, trucks, or ships. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:41:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162533.htm Engineers developed a membrane that filters the components of crude oil by their molecular size, an advance that could dramatically reduce the amount of energy needed for crude oil fractionation. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162533.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161115.htm In 2022 a team discovered that high levels of OH radicals can be generated indoors, simply due to the presence of people and ozone. This means: People generate their own oxidation field and change the indoor air chemistry around them within their own personal space. Now, in a follow-up study again in cooperation with an international research team, they found that commonly applied personal care products substantially suppress a human's production of OH radicals. These findings have implications for the indoor chemistry, the air quality of occupied spaces, and human health, since many of the chemicals in our immediate vicinity are transformed by this field. Wed, 21 May 2025 16:11:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520161838.htm Increasing renewable energy may not reduce the use of fossil fuels in the United States, according to a new study . Tue, 20 May 2025 16:18:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520161838.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122027.htm Scientists have made a breakthrough in eco-friendly batteries that not only store more energy but could also help tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Lithium-CO2 'breathing' batteries release power while capturing carbon dioxide, offering a greener alternative that may one day outperform today's lithium-ion batteries. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:20:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122027.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204507.htm The average energy project costs 40% more than expected for construction and takes almost two years longer than planned, finds a new global study. One key insight: The investment risk is highest for nuclear power plant construction and lowest for solar. The researchers analyzed data from 662 energy projects built between 1936 and 2024 in 83 countries, totaling $1.358 trillion in investment. Mon, 19 May 2025 20:45:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204507.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111051.htm Researchers have developed an encapsulated cobalt-nickel alloy that significantly improves the efficiency and durability of high-temperature CO2 conversion, a promising technology for carbon recycling and sustainable fuel production. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:10:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111051.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112301.htm Researchers have detailed the geological ingredients required to find clean sources of natural hydrogen beneath our feet. The work details the requirements for natural hydrogen, produced by the Earth itself over geological time, to accumulate in the crust, and identifies that the geological environments with those ingredients are widespread globally. Hydrogen is $135 billion industry, essential for making fertilizer and other important societal chemicals, and a critical clean energy source for future low carbon emission technologies, with a market estimated to be up to $1000 billion by 2050. These findings offer a solution to the challenge of hydrogen supply, and will help industry to locate and extract natural hydrogen to meet global demands, eliminating the use of hydrocarbons for this purpose. Tue, 13 May 2025 11:23:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112301.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105204.htm How might floating solar energy projects impact wild birds and vice versa? A paper outlines key considerations for a growing floating solar industry. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:52:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105204.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122111.htm A research team used the German environmental satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) to simultaneously detect the two key air pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in emission plumes from power plants -- with an unprecedented spatial resolution of just 30 meters. The newly developed method allows for tracking of industrial emissions from space with great precision and enables atmospheric processes to be analyzed in detail. Fri, 09 May 2025 12:21:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122111.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508161151.htm Mercury is released by environmental and human-driven processes. And some forms, specifically methylmercury, are toxic to humans. Therefore, policies and regulations to limit mercury emissions have been implemented across the globe. And, according to new research, those efforts may be working. Researchers found that atmospheric mercury levels have decreased by almost 70% in the last 20 years, mainly because human-caused emissions have been reduced. Thu, 08 May 2025 16:11:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508161151.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508161141.htm A new study analyzes the results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that showed that brick kiln owners in Bangladesh are willing and able to implement cleaner and more efficient business practices within their operations -- without legal enforcement -- if they receive the proper training and support, and if those changes are aligned with their profit motives. The study is the first to rigorously demonstrate successful strategies to improve efficiency within the traditional brick kiln industry. Thu, 08 May 2025 16:11:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508161141.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508113110.htm Global emissions of carbon dioxide from industry can be reduced by five per cent. But that requires companies and policy makers to take a holistic approach to energy efficiency and energy management and not solely focus on technological development. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:31:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508113110.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112720.htm Data science has revolutionized the hunt for high-performing catalysts, enabling scientists to quickly identify and test suitable materials. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:27:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112720.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112558.htm An edible robot leverages a combination of biodegradable fuel and surface tension to zip around the water's surface, creating a safe -- and nutritious -- alternative to environmental monitoring devices made from artificial polymers and electronics. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:25:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112558.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125852.htm Our brain is a complex organ. Billions of nerve cells are wired in an intricate network, constantly processing signals, enabling us to recall memories or to move our bodies. Making sense of this complicated network requires a precise look into how these nerve cells are arranged and connected. A new method makes use of off-the-shelf light microscopes, hydrogel and deep learning. Wed, 07 May 2025 12:58:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125852.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506131506.htm A new technique that uses soundwaves to separate materials for recycling could help prevent potentially harmful chemicals leaching into the environment. Tue, 06 May 2025 13:15:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506131506.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506131145.htm Scientists have found a new way to produce sugar from corn stalks and other crop waste, potentially opening a new pathway to sustainable biofuels. Tue, 06 May 2025 13:11:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506131145.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142018.htm Scientists have developed a carbon-free, energy-saving method to extract nickel for batteries and stainless steel. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:20:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142018.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141916.htm Lightweight lithium metal is a heavy-hitting critical mineral, serving as the key ingredient in the rechargeable batteries that power phones, laptops, electric vehicles and more. As ubiquitous as lithium is in modern technology, extracting the metal is complex and expensive. A new method enables high-efficiency lithium extraction -- in minutes, not hours -- using low temperatures and simple water-based leaching. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:19:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141916.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141837.htm A more efficient and environmentally friendly approach to extracting rare earth elements that power everything from electric vehicle batteries to smartphones could increase domestic supply and decrease reliance on costly imports. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:18:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141837.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429103149.htm The global energy system may be faced with an inescapable trade-off between urgently addressing climate change versus avoiding an energy shortfall, according to a new energy scenario tool. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:31:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429103149.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220921.htm Researchers have developed a new catalyst design capable of pushing the projected fuel cell catalyst lifespans to 200,000 hours. The research marks a significant step toward the widespread adoption of fuel cell technology in heavy-duty vehicles, such as long-haul tractor trailers. While platinum-alloy catalysts have historically delivered superior chemical reactions, the alloying elements leach out over time, diminishing catalytic performance. The degradation is further accelerated by the demanding voltage cycles required to power heavy-duty vehicles. To address this challenge, the team has engineered a durable catalyst architecture with a novel design that shields platinum from the degradation typically observed in alloy systems. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:09:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220921.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135244.htm Switching from diesel to electric trains dramatically improved the air quality aboard the San Francisco Bay Area's Caltrain commuter rail line, reducing riders' exposure to the carcinogen black carbon by an average of 89%, finds a new study. The electrification of the system also significantly reduced the ambient black carbon concentrations within and around the San Francisco station. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:52:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411105855.htm Scientists have developed a scalable method to produce porous graphene membranes that efficiently separate carbon dioxide. The breakthrough could significantly reduce the cost and footprint of carbon capture technology. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:58:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411105855.htm