New Method for Splitting Water Passively with Heat and Light
Prof. David Milstein, and his colleagues from the Weizmann Institute, the Organic Chemistry Department, demonstrated a new way of generating hydrogen and oxygen, through a series of steps that involve applying heat, light, and a special catalyst.
Blood-Fed Yeast Batteries Could Greenly Power Pacemakers
As if it wasn't enough for MIT's virus batteries, scientists from the University of British Columbia have now devised a fuel cell prototype able to feed itself from the sugar in the blood stream.The tricky part of the invention is that the fuel cell is made of nothing else but a type of bacteria, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that lives in yeast.
Liquid Battery from Molten Salts Invented at MIT
As always, MIT is coming with lots of interesting ideas that often represent really viable ways of improving our energy sources. This time, MIT has come up with a special type of battery never seen before.
Scientist Mimicking Green Plants to Create Efficient Solar Cells
Although no specific details are given, from an article published in Science Daily it seems that prof. Pavlos Lagoudakis at the University of Southampton has developed a new method of converting light into electricity using a process found in green plants' photosynthesis.
Sugar Cube-Sized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
The world's smallest solid-oxide fuel cell(SOFC), as small as sugar cube, was recently developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). The sugar cube-sized SOFC is is operable at 550°C.
Scientist Develops Way to Transform CO2 into Methane
Pennsylvania State University researchers found out a way to transform the messy CO2 from the atmosphere into burnable gas, with the help of the Sun. They made use of nanotechnology for this matter, and their results showed a 20 times yield, compared to other findings.
Save Fuel With the New Electricity-Producing Shock Absorbers
While some study ways of electronically controlling the shock absorbers and giving you a smooth and steady ride, and others are seeking ways to convert the heat generated by the engine into electricity, a team of undergraduate MIT students invented a shock absorber that harnesses the energy from the very bumps it hits. Several truck manufacturers and the U.S. military have given them attention, and planned to use their technology in their cars.
Butterfly Wings Have Solar Cells Inside: Inspiration for Scientists
The researchers studied the butterfly wings, using them as molds or templates. They made copies of the butterflies' solar collectors, and transferred the light-harvesting structures to classic Grätzel (or dye-sensitized) cells.
Cheap New Electrochemical Flue Gas Purificaton for Diesel Engines
In Europe half of the cars sold are using diesel engines. The pollution from these cars (carbon particles, nitrogen oxides NOX and unburned hydrocarbons) is to be more strictly restricted by the EU regulations.
Risø Danish Technical University has started a new project to develop an effective method for making diesel engines cleaner.
World's Cheapest "Eco" Bulb That Lasts For 60 Years
The researchers at Cambridge University have invented a new type of "eco" bulb that lasts for 60 years and is three times more efficient than current energy light bulbs. It can reduce the lighting bills by up to 75%.
