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Yearly Archives: 2009

Newly Invented Bioglass Nanofibers Could Make Better CO2 Catchers

Using a newly developed method of producing glass nanofibers with materials, a team of scientists from the University of Vigo, Rutgers University in the U.S. and Imperial College London, have been able to make bioglass nanofibers. These could be used in carbon sequestration and other purposes.

Pointless Green: Koreans Developing Weird Pedal-Powered Aircraft

It's been a while since I've laughed at something this funny and pointless on this blog. Well, it looks like the Koreans don't (or do they?) have a practical sense when they invest $290,000 on a pedal-powered airplane.

New Enzyme Allows Plants to Consume More CO2 and Save Water

Scientists at the University of California San Diego have discovered new plant enzymes that can allow plants to save water while consuming more CO2 from the atmosphere. The enzyme causes the plants to react to CO2 and change how they use their pores and by modifying the enzyme, scientists believe that could be developed more CO2- and drought-tolerant crops.

Pursuing Development of EVs Could Create Up to 1 Million Jobs by 2020

The predictions are based on the widespread adoption of the recently release Electrification Roadmap that estimates battery powered EVs and Plug-in hybrids making up 25% of new vehicles sales in the U.S. by 2020.

Mercedes Releasing Fuel Cell Powered B-Klasse, Pessimistic About Diesel Future

Recently, Thomas Weber, Head of R&D at Mercedes, said that the upcoming Euro 6 is expected to skyrocket the prices of diesel cars. This is because the automakers are forced to use expensive technology in making the new fine injectors and filters, and this is going to be felt in the customers' pockets.

E85 Ethanol Increases Pollution and Risk of Human Diseases

Researches from Stanford University have recently published a study on ethanol fuel and its influence over human health. Compared to pure gasoline usage, ethanol increases health problems because of cancer-chemical formation.

Carbozyme Mimicking Blood's CO2 Capturing Process for Industrial Use

Carbozyme, a NJ-based company is trying to mimic a phenomenon that happens when you breathe: capturing CO2 via a naturally occurring blood enzyme. Our body captures about two pounds of carbon dioxide per day - scaled-up industrial systems could do a lot more if put up properly.

80MW Sarnia Solar Project to Power About 12,800 Homes

Last week, First Solar Inc. and Enbridge Inc. announced an agreement to expand the Sarnia Solar Project in Canada from its current generation capacity of 20 megawatts to 80 megawatts (MW), costing about CDN $300 million.

New MEMS Element Transforms Vibration Into 85μW of Electricity

Two Europe based research institutes (IMEC and TNO), have developed a new MEMS element capable of converting vibration energy into electric power.

Extremophile Bacteria Transform CO2 and Light Into Fuel Better Than Photosynthesis

Someone has to fund experiments in this world, to accelerate the rhythm of their success, and that is currently ARPA-E. The "electrofuels" program is...