nanowires Archives – The Green Optimistic

MIT’s Genetically Modified Viruses Boost Lithium-Air Batteries

Danny Harper — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:28:39 +0000

Recently, lithium-air batteries have become popular amongst researchers for their potential to drastically increase power per battery weight, which could have profound impacts on electric cars and their overall range. But in order for this tech to become viable, it is essential that we find better, more durable materials for the batteries’ electrodes, while also […]

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Innovative New Nanotech Tool Determines Efficiency of Solar Energy Conversion

Leigh Hutchens — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 06:26:28 +0000

While a fascinating field, nanoscience does have its limitations. Scientists can make and manipulate nanoscale objects with greater precision, but the imagery for examining these objects is black-and-white. Until recently, scientists have not comprehended atomic-microscopy equivalent to color and how nanoscale chemistry reacts with light. However, a new microscopy tool from the Department of Energy […]

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Nanowires Could Potentially Double the Power of Solar Cells

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:58:01 +0000

Nanowire-based solar cells are being developed by a startup in Massachusetts, Bandgap Engineering, in the hopes of lowering costs while increasing power of solar cells twice the current average power generated, from 15 to 38%. The said project, however, is a long-termed one, but Bandgap Engineering has already started a simpler innovation to solar cells. […]

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Nanowires Could Enable Human Heart to Power Gadgets

Mike Sandru — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:15:49 +0000

Nanotechnology – the science of managing matter at a molecular level – has delivered its promises: if charging your iPod with your heart is not great, then what is? Yes, you read correctly: it is your own little human heart that could be doing the work of a charger, so that you can continue listening […]

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Transparent Copper Nanowires Proving Best for Solar Cells and Other Flexible Gadgets

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:31:39 +0000

To make the best solar cells flexible, researchers have to find the best conductive materials. Such conductors are silver and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanowires, but they have several drawbacks. The copper nanowires made using a method invented by Duke University chemists, on the other hand, are cheaper than silver and better (read more conductive) than carbon nanotubes.

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Bacteria Colony Reacts with Seawater and Mud to Produce Electricity

Mike Sandru — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:30:13 +0000

Until now, scientists haven't been able to provide the reasons of just how bacteria generate electric networks that serve as long distance communication systems. They have known just that it can produce electric energy when mixed with seawater and mud, leading to the development of microbial fuel cells.

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Extremely Long Platinum Nanowires Will Improve Fuel Cells

Cristi — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:35:38 +0000

An article published in a paper in the Nano Letters journal, has described the use of nanowires to provide significant increase in both longevity and efficiency of fuel cells. These long platinum nanowires have been developed at the University of Rochester and could improve fuel cells into a commercially viable solution.

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Gold Nanoantennas Could Harvest Solar Power at Night Time

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:04:03 +0000

While the most high performance classic solar cells only use up to 20% of the solar power falling onto them, researchers from DoE, the laboratory from Idaho, found out a way to capture much more from the Sun's energy, the invisible light spectrum, even at night.

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