Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) created a solar cell with a record 39.5% efficiency under 1-sun global illumination. This is the highest efficiency solar cell of any type, measured using standard 1-sun conditions. “The new cell is more efficient and has a simpler design that may be useful […]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineers have developed a heat engine with no moving parts that is more efficient than a steam turbine. The researchers say the design could someday enable a fully decarbonized power grid. Their new demonstrations show that it converts heat to electricity with over 40 percent efficiency – a performance better than […]

A team at Texas A&M University consisting of Dr. Abdoulaye Djire, assistant professor, and graduate student Denis Johnson, has furthered a method to produce ammonia through electrochemical processes. The research aims to replace the Haber-Bosch thermochemical process with an electrochemical process that is more sustainable and safer for the environment. Ammonia is commonly used in […]

A Rice University study suggests that lithium batteries would benefit from more porous electrodes with better-aligned particles that don’t limit lithium distribution. At the micro and nano scale resolution looking at a lithium battery electrode, you’d see the level of charge at every scale is highly uneven. This is not good for the battery’s health. […]

University of Delaware researchers have found a way to improve the ability of catalysts made from metal-metal oxides to convert non-edible plants, such as wood, grass and corn stover into renewable fuels, chemicals and plastics. Metal oxide catalysts are central to reactions for upgrading petrochemicals, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biomass. Catalysts are workhorses that help […]

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