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News & Articles By Edsel Cook

02/02/2019 / By Edsel Cook

High-temperature superconductors may help researchers develop better technologies for fusion energy

Researchers are banking on a newly-developed material to realize the long-standing dream of practical nuclear fusion. They believe high-temperature superconductors (HTS) can raise the efficiency of a fusion power plant to a level that is commercially viable. As their name implies, superconductors are extremely efficient conductors of electricity. They are used in the manufacture of […]

01/31/2019 / By Edsel Cook

Scientists identify 3 key problems in developing energy-efficient lithium-ion batteries

Just what is stopping the battery industry from cramming all the power we can ever want inside a new generation of lithium-ion batteries? A research team from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) determined the three biggest stumbling blocks to boosting the energy efficiency of this particular type of battery. The first is size. Normally, when an existing battery needs to hold […]

01/23/2019 / By Edsel Cook

Researchers develop renewable methane from waste wood

A new German-developed biogas plant has recently succeeded in creating synthetic natural gas (SNG) from biomass. The KIT news page reported that the methane produced by this pilot facility is just as good as its fossil fuel-based equivalent. The plant can turn a mixture of gases into usable biofuel. The raw materials are extracted from […]

01/04/2019 / By Edsel Cook

New design suggests a solution for next-gen fusion power plants

One of the biggest issues when it comes to designing practical fusion power plants is finding a safe and efficient way to cool it down. MIT researchers have proposed using high-temperature superconducting magnets to expel dangerous heat from the reactor, an article in Science Daily stated. Their design features a compact fusion reactor with an […]

12/06/2018 / By Edsel Cook

AI system designed to manage the power of the sun

Practical fusion power requires an overseer that can keep an unblinking eye on the tokamak reactor and rein in any complication that could interrupt the production of energy. That is why the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) came up with the bright idea of developing an artificial intelligence system to handle the job. Named “Accelerated […]

12/06/2018 / By Edsel Cook

“Solar flow battery” soaks up sunlight and stores it as energy for on-demand use

A joint effort between American and Saudi Arabian researchers produced a gadget that combines the functions of a battery and a solar cell. They reported that their “solar flow battery” can absorb sunlight, convert it into chemical energy, and hold the energy until there is need for it. The Science Daily article explained that the […]

12/04/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Is this the end of de-icing? Passive solar-powered system prevents freezing on airplanes and other surfaces

When ice builds up in your home or office, you either fire up the power-intensive heaters or resort to chemical sprays that will damage the environment. So American researchers recently developed an alternative de-icing system that draws upon the heat of the sun to keep ice from forming on important items, an article in Science […]

11/29/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Scientists: Solar-powered water splitting is a promising means of generating clean energy

Water is already a vital component of human life, but scientists have found yet another use for it — as a source of clean fuel. It comprises two oxygen atoms and a hydrogen atom — the latter, in particular, is an increasingly popular energy source because it is easily stored and holds a lot of energy. […]

11/22/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Study explores semi-artificial photosynthesis; a new way to produce and store solar energy

Researchers found a better way to squeeze more electricity out of solar power. An article in Science Daily described how they modified photosynthesis so that it could split water into its component molecules. In the photosynthetic process, sunlight is used by plants, some bacteria, and certain protists to turn carbon dioxide and water into food. Oxygen is […]

11/16/2018 / By Edsel Cook

New type of battery made of paper and fueled by bacteria is both inexpensive and portable

There are a few things in the world that are cheaper and lighter than paper. Researchers have come up with a battery made from that common material – and it will be powered by bacteria. These bacteria-powered energy storage systems could be ideal for areas that are either too far from the power grid or lack […]

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