Energy & Green Tech news

Engineering

New design approach may help slash the price of ultra-durable concrete

Concrete, although the most common building material in the world, is brittle and can easily crack under tension. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a special class of concrete known for its dense structure and extreme ...

Energy & Green Tech

Swiss nuclear plant shut down due to heat wave

The reactors at Europe's oldest nuclear plant were shut down Friday, its Swiss operator said, after the heat wave roasting Europe sent temperatures soaring in the river used for cooling.

Engineering

Perovskite solar cells need decades-long durability. New work shows which fast-aging tests come closest

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) could conquer the mass market within a few years, perhaps even being produced in Europe. Their large-scale production is highly cost-effective, and unlike silicon solar cells, their production ...

Energy & Green Tech

Batteries and fuel cells would overhaul emissions from semis and other heavy vehicles

Although electrified versions of vans, buses and semis cost more upfront on average than their diesel-powered counterparts, the overall calculus behind adopting greener vehicles is currently in flux.

Energy & Green Tech

Pushing past lithium-ion performance limits

A growing demand for energy storage is pushing lithium-ion batteries to their limits, advancing next-generation technologies through innovative materials research.

Energy & Green Tech

Seaweed-based ingredient helps turn dirt into 3D-printed walls

An ingredient that gives ice cream a creamier texture could make natural earthen materials like clay and sand easier to 3D print into durable structures, according to new research led by scientists at the University of Colorado ...

Energy & Green Tech

E-learning helps regulators navigate a changing grid

It is the second day of a massive heat wave. Across the region, thermostats are cranked, air conditioners are laboring, and wind turbines have gone still. Without warning, a summer storm moves in, and the solar generation ...

Energy & Green Tech

How digital participation can aid the energy transition

The active involvement of citizens, stakeholders and municipalities is essential for the success of the energy transition. Digital participation platforms promise broader access to planning processes. However, a new study, ...

Energy & Green Tech

Molecular fine-tuning boosts tandem solar cell efficiency to 31.4%

Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells are considered a key technology for photovoltaics. Because of their design, they use sunlight more efficiently than conventional silicon cells. While the upper perovskite layer absorbs ...

Energy & Green Tech

Supercomputer ushers in new era of nuclear AI

Nuclear power is rising to meet the demand for American energy. But building new reactors or even renewing licenses of existing ones requires a tremendous amount of paperwork. Fortunately, AI is also on the rise, and paperwork ...

Engineering

New window insulation blocks heat, but not your view

Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have designed a new material for insulating windows that could improve the energy efficiency of buildings worldwide—and it works a bit like a high-tech version of Bubble Wrap.

Energy & Green Tech

Simple teflon coating boosts hydrogen production efficiency by 40%

A common non-stick coating used in cookware has been shown to enhance hydrogen production efficiency in water electrolyzers by approximately 40%. The key innovation involves applying a specialized coating to critical components ...

Engineering

Why new kinds of steel are needed to build lead-cooled reactors

Safer operation, better fuel efficiency and lower waste mark lead-cooled nuclear power as a potentially dramatic shift from the water-cooled nuclear stations the world has relied on since the mid 20th century. A recent Swedish ...

Engineering

Glazed facades can heat up outdoor environments

While much is known about the impact of glazed facades on indoor thermal temperatures and energy efficiency, University of Adelaide researchers are exploring its effect on outdoor conditions.

Consumer & Gadgets

Residential solar panels can raise electricity rates

A modeling study shows how, under some conditions, increasing numbers of households with rooftop solar panels can lead to higher rates for those without their own solar system. When utility customers cancel their accounts ...