Better Solar Panels With Newly Discovered Nanometric Butterfly Wings
Researchers at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and the State University of Pennsylvania (USA) have created a method to replicate biological structures, such as butterfly wings, on a nanometric scale. The resulting biomaterial could be used to make optically active structures, such as optical diffusers for solar panels.
Small Autonomous Cleaning Robot Makes Ships Faster and Fuel Efficient
The US Office of Naval Research (ONR) has recently conducted tests with a unique ship hull grooming robot called the Robotic Hull Bio-inspired Underwater Grooming (HULL BUG) tool.
Geobacter Microbe Produces Electricity From Mud and Wastewater
Derek Lovley, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently experimented with a microbe named "Geobacter", who loves to live in sediments and mud, and whose hairlike filaments can produce electricity from the muddy environment it loves to live in.
Tesla's Wireless Power Transmission Reinvented by Witricity
Eric Giler, chief executive of US firm Witricitywireless, talks about a new system that can deliver power to devices without the need for wires. The new system exploits simple physics principles and can be used to charge a range of electronic devices over several meters.
Sub-Nano Platinum Particles Make Fuel Cells 13 Times Better
Nano-sized machinery makes me shiver. Thinking at a molecular and atomic level when speaking about technology makes me wonder even more. Even if I consider myself a logic person, extremely small and extremely large objects impress me.
CO2-Capturing Molecule Discovered by Accident
Accidental discoveries have always been the most groundbreaking discoveries in the entire history of science, because magnificent things were found without us thinking of them, not taking the usual way to see things, and therefore unleashing new possibilities.
Scientists Developing Artificial Leaves to Produce Energy
Mimicking nature has been man's dream since he tried inventing the airplane, and even earlier. Mimicking a leaf for obtaining energy from the Sun has been even more challenging than learning to fly, though, until now, nobody succeeded imitating the evolution or creation or whatever our nature is made of.
Newly Developed Light Sensor Could Improve Solar Cells and Cameras
Scientists at the University of Toronto have created a new type of light sensor that acts like a pixel in a digital camera. Researchers believe the sensor, which takes advantage of a phenomenon called multi-exciton generation (MEG), could lead to substantial advancements in the performance of a variety of electronic devices including digital cameras.
Carbonized Chicken Feathers Better Than Carbon Nanotubes at Storing Hydrogen
Delaware University scientists have found that not only the latest hi-tech nanotubes or metal composites can store hydrogen effectively, but also a substance that's been around for millions of years, naturally: carbonized keratin.
Italian Researchers Inventing New Type of Solar Concentrator
Roberto de Luca and Aniello Fedullo from the University Salerno of Italy invented a new solar concentrating device they say is inspired by the Ear of Dionysus. According to the legends, Doinysus's ear had an elliptical cave so he could hear even the weakest whispers of a prisoner in one of the cave's foci.
