Energy and the Environment News

November 27, 2024

Top Headlines

Predicting the Weather: New Meteorology Estimation Method Aids Building Efficiency

Nov. 26, 2024 — Researchers propose a new method to generate meteorological data that takes into account the interdependence of meteorological factors, such as temperature, humidity, and solar ...

Quantum Mechanism Identified as a Key to Accelerating Ocean Temperatures

Nov. 26, 2024 — Accelerating rates of heat uptake by oceans that don't fit current climate models can now be explained by quantum ...

Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources Will Increase Price Tag to Decarbonize the Grid

Nov. 25, 2024 — A new study warns that current plans to achieve zero emissions on the grid by 2050 vastly underestimate the required investments in generation and transmission infrastructure. The reason: these plans ...

Exploring the Impact of Offshore Wind on Whale Deaths

Nov. 21, 2024 — Scientists have presented work examining the circumstances surrounding the whale deaths off the coast of New Jersey in the winter of 2022-23, which prompted concern that survey work in the area somehow contributed to their deaths. The Marine Mammal ...

Latest Headlines

updated 2:24pm EST

Tapping Excess Heat from a Camp Stove for Charging Power

Nov. 20, 2024 — New research may make it possible to keep electronic devices powered with another piece of equipment you're likely to bring with you while exploring the great outdoors: camping stoves. The work ...

Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Doubled With Protective Coating

Nov. 21, 2024 — Scientists have developed a new protective coating that significantly extends the life of perovskite solar cells, making them more practical for applications outside the ...

Engineering Nature's Blueprint: Dendron-Based Assemblies for Chlorophyll's Materials

Nov. 21, 2024 — Chlorophyll (a naturally occurring pigment involved in photosynthesis)-inspired molecules hold promise for developing next-generation ...

Turning Carbon Emissions Into Methane Fuel

Nov. 20, 2024 — Chemists have developed a novel way to capture and convert carbon dioxide into methane, suggesting that future gas emissions could be converted into an alternative fuel using electricity from ...

Thermochemical Tech Shows Promising Path for Building Heat

Nov. 19, 2024 — Energy stored in thermochemical materials can effectively heat indoor spaces, particularly in humid regions, according to ...

Perovskite Research Boosts Solar Cell Efficiency and Product Life

Nov. 19, 2024 — An international team has identified a strategy to improve both the performance and stability for solar cells made out of the 'miracle material' perovskite by mitigating a previously hidden ...

New Method of Generating Eco-Friendly Energy

Nov. 19, 2024 — Researchers have developed a new method of growing organic crystals that can be used for energy-harvesting ...

Modeling and Analysis Reveals Technological, Environmental Challenges to Increasing Water Recovery from Desalination

Nov. 18, 2024 — Using zero liquid discharge to increase water recovery from desalination is an emerging method to combat water scarcity, but is expensive, ...

Recycling Batteries With Citric Acid

Nov. 15, 2024 — A simple, highly efficient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly process could provide a viable pathway for the sustainable recycling of depleted lithium-ion batteries (LIBs): No chemicals ...

Novel Electro-Biodiesel a More Efficient, Cleaner Alternative to Existing Alternatives

Nov. 14, 2024 — Scientists create biodiesel with electrocatalysis and ...

Wave-Predicting Robots Could Cut Green Energy Costs

Nov. 14, 2024 — Underwater robots that can predict waves in real-time could reduce the cost of producing offshore renewable energy, a study ...

'Game Changer' in Lithium Extraction: Researchers Develop Novel Electrochemical Reactor

Nov. 13, 2024 — Researchers have developed an innovative electrochemical reactor to extract lithium from natural brine solutions, offering a promising approach to address the growing demand for lithium used in ...

Discovery Taps 'Hot Carriers' for on-Demand, Emissions-Free Hydrogen and Catalyst Regeneration

Nov. 11, 2024 — Researchers have developed a new photocatalyst that could render steam methane reforming entirely emissions-free and extend catalyst ...

Greener and Cleaner: Yeast-Green Algae Mix Improves Water Treatment

Nov. 8, 2024 — Researchers have discovered that the combination of green algae and yeast enhances the efficiency of wastewater ...

Researchers Drive Solid-State Innovation for Renewable Energy Storage

Nov. 7, 2024 — Scientists are developing a formula for success -- by studying how a new type of battery fails. The team's goal is the design for long-term storage of wind and solar energy, which are produced ...

Up to 30% of the Power Used to Train AI Is Wasted: Here's How to Fix It

Nov. 7, 2024 — A less wasteful way to train large language models, such as the GPT series, finishes in the same amount of time for up to 30% less energy, according to a ...

Power Grids Supplied Largely by Renewable Sources Experience Lower Intensity Blackouts

Nov. 6, 2024 — New research into the vulnerability of power grids served by weather-dependent renewable energy sources (WD-RESs) such as solar and wind paints a hopeful picture as various countries around the globe ...

Hydrogels Harness Sunlight: A Step Closer to Artificial Photosynthesis

Nov. 6, 2024 — Researchers designed bioinspired hydrogels capable of using sunlight to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. Hydrogels contain polymer networks that facilitate energy conversion, offering a ...

Researchers Develop Artificial Plants That Purify Indoor Air, Generate Electricity

Nov. 5, 2024 — Scientists are repurposing their research about bacteria-powered biobatteries into a new idea for artificial plants that can feed off carbon dioxide, give off oxygen and even generate a little ...

Cobalt-Copper Tandem Converts Carbon Dioxide to Ethanol

Nov. 4, 2024 — The continuing release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is a major driver of global warming and climate change with increased extreme weather events. Researchers have now presented a method for ...

Fueling Greener Aviation With Hydrogen

Nov. 1, 2024 — Despite ongoing efforts to curb CO2 emissions with electric and hybrid vehicles, other forms of transportation remain significant contributors of greenhouse gases. To address this issue, old ...

Solving Interface Mystery in Organic Solar Cells Makes Them More Efficient

Oct. 30, 2024 — Research provides a deeper understanding of precisely what is happening in organic solar cells as light is converted into electricity. Researchers developed a new method which visualizes interfaces ...

Reactor Could Make Direct Air Capture More Energy Efficient

Oct. 29, 2024 — Researchers have developed an electrochemical reactor that has the potential to drastically reduce energy consumption and cost for direct air ...

Paving the Way for Harvesting and Storing Solar Energy Efficiently

Oct. 29, 2024 — Approximately 50 percent of global final energy consumption is dedicated to heating. Yet, the utilization of solar power in this sector remains relatively low compared to fossil energy sources. An ...

The Evolution of Green Energy Technology: Developing Three-Dimensional Smart Energy Devices With Radiant Cooling and Solar Absorption

Oct. 25, 2024 — - DGIST, KAIST, and Korea University collaborated to develop a three-dimensional device with reversible heating/cooling based on the thermal radiation phenomenon -- Research published as a cover ...

Key to Low-Cost, Long-Lasting Renewable Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Oct. 24, 2024 — Lithium-sulfur batteries have never lived up to their potential as the next generation of renewable batteries for electric vehicles and other devices. But mechanical engineers have now found a way to ...

Fire-Risk Blocking Self-Powered Hydrogen Production System

Oct. 24, 2024 — By using a water-splitting system with an aqueous electrolyte, this system is expected to block fire risks and enable stable hydrogen ...

Thread-Like, Flexible Thermoelectric Materials Applicable for Extreme Environments

Oct. 23, 2024 — A team of researchers developed a thermoelectric material that can be used in wearable devices, such as smart clothing, and while maintaining stable thermal energy performance even in extreme ...

A Simpler, More Efficient Device for Harvesting Water from the Air

Oct. 23, 2024 — A type of prototype water harvester promises to be simpler and more efficient than traditional variations of the device at pulling drinking water from the ...

Researchers Develop New Coatings to Boost Turbine Engine Efficiency

Oct. 23, 2024 — A multidisciplinary research group has formulated new protective coatings to allow turbine engines to run hotter -- with potential dividends for the environment and ...