US Department Of Energy Archives – The Green Optimistic

University of Michigan Researchers Get $2 million Grant for Developing Algae-Based Biodiesel

Ally Munda — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 12:07:05 +0000

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan have been granted $2 million by the US Energy department as funding for their research into algae-based biofuel for diesel engines. The team is one of the few in the world working to solve the problem from ‘end-to-end’. The Department of Energy is keen on finding […]

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How Viable is Space-Based Renewable Energy?

Benji Jerew — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:09:51 +0000

Since the beginning of the Space Age, the idea has been around to “beam” renewable energy back down to Earth. Still, flying cars have been on people’s minds since at least the 1930’s, perhaps even earlier if you consider science fiction writings. In fact, there are a lot of science fiction-type technologies that we still […]

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Toyota Leases Four Hydrogen Cars to NREL

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:16:03 +0000

Automobile manufacturer, Toyota, has recently given the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) four fuel cell hybrid vehicles. The hybrids, advanced FCHV-adv models, are on loan by Toyota through a two-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. NREL plans to use the cars to advance its hydrogen fueling infrastructure, vehicle performance, and renewable […]

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Breakthrough Iron-Based Superconductors Pave the Way for Energy-Intensive Technologies

Leigh Hutchens — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:16:55 +0000

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory scientists have developed an iron-based high performance superconducting wire, paving the way for some of the most energy-intensive technologies in the world. Scientists were able to grow custom materials that are able to carry very high current under very high magnetic fields, not unlike those found […]

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Solar Power Efficiency Improved by Forecasting Cloud Activity

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:49:51 +0000

Solar power is becoming so ubiquitous that utility companies may need new tools to ensure they can provide steady and inexpensive power – even on overcast and cloudy days. In early December, the US Department of Energy announced $8 million in funding for two projects to improve solar forecasting. Thes projects will create tools that […]

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Light-Based Hydrogen Production Enhanced by Nanocrystals

Leigh Hutchens — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 06:37:11 +0000

The U.S. Department of Energy is funding a group of University of Rochester chemists to determine how to increase the output and lower the cost of current light-driven hydrogen-production systems. Hydrogen’s desirability comes from the fact it can be converted into electric energy and produces no carbon emissions. This work builds upon and innovates previous […]

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This Earth Day, Philips Unveiled Lightbulb With 20-Year Lifespan

Mike Sandru — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:57:35 +0000

Would you pay 50 bucks for a light bulb? No. But would you pay 50 bucks for one that lasts 20 years? I guess you would! And now you can: thanks to the renowned company Philips, who wanted to really pitch in for Earth Day (this past Sunday the 23rd), buyers can now go online […]

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GM to Research Shape Memory Alloy for Heat Recovery Systems

Cristi — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:19:54 +0000

GM's R&D has to build a prototype of a thermo-mechanical waste heat recovery system using a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) heat engine to generate electricity from the heat in exhaust. Noticeable is the fact that GM was between the 37 other candidates that received the ARPA-E award.

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Soil-Based Stinky Bacteria To Be Used in Cleaning Radioactive Waste

Cristi — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:09:40 +0000

A chemistry professor from the University of Missouri may have found a way to clean radioactive metal contamination. The bacteria-based solution is able to work in this challenging business where most of technologies were too expensive or sometimes did not work.

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Incredible Synthetic Tree for CO2 Sequestration

Cristi — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:55:19 +0000

Columbia University has announced the development of a structure that could capture carbon 1,000 times faster than a real tree. Klaus Lackner said, as the "tree" could be used for capturing carbon which has been already emitted into the air by car gasoline or airplain fuel.

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