Renewable energy holds the promise of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. But there are times when solar and wind farms generate more electricity than is needed by consumers. Storing that surplus energy in batteries for later use seems like an obvious solution, but a new study from Stanford University suggests that might not always be the […]
Power Electronic Tips
The power of the datacenter
We love to interact with our engineering community at ECN, and we’re always interested in learning about the different trends and new technologies our readers are working on! In fact, we’re devoting an entire issue to what our readers think about the impact of different technologies on their jobs and projects. Our power category will […]
More efficient production of biofuels from waste with the help of modified yeasts
A significant portion of the petroleum consumed by the transport sector must be replaced in the long term by renewable energy. Therefore, it is of the utmost economic and ecological importance to optimise the production of biofuels from renewable raw materials. Researchers from VIB who are associated with KU Leuven have developed yeast strains that […]
ORNL-grown oxygen ‘sponge’ presents path to better catalysts, energy materials
OAK RIDGE, Tenn, Aug. 28, 2013 — Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new oxygen “sponge” that can easily absorb or shed oxygen atoms at low temperatures. Materials with these novel characteristics would be useful in devices such as rechargeable batteries, sensors, gas converters and fuel cells. Materials […]
Butterfly wings + carbon nanotubes = new ‘nanobiocomposite’ material
Leveraging the amazing natural properties of the Morpho butterfly’s wings, scientists have developed a nanobiocomposite material that shows promise for wearable electronic devices, highly sensitive light sensors and sustainable batteries. A report on the new hybrid material appears in the journal ACS Nano. Eijiro Miyako and colleagues explain that Morpho butterfly wings have natural properties […]
Molecular motors: Power much less than expected?
An innovative measurement method was used at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw for estimating power generated by motors of single molecule in size, comprising a few dozens of atoms only. The findings of the study are of crucial importance for construction of future nanometer machines – and […]
Number of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles set to rise to nearly 200,000 in 2020
Fast-charging technologies are driving the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) recharging market, with the cumulative number of stations established worldwide expanding by a factor of more than 100 times from 2012 to 2020, according to a new report from IHS Automotive, part of IHS. Total fast-charging stations for EVs are set to reach 199,000 […]
Home cooking, traffic are sources of key air pollutants from China
Almost 80 percent of air pollution involving soot that spreads from China over large areas of East Asia — impacting human health and fostering global warming — comes from city traffic and other forms of fossil-fuel combustion, such as home cooking with coal briquettes. That’s the conclusion of a study in ACS’ journal Environmental Science […]
AC-DC converters provide up to 50 watts of output power
UltraVolt is pleased to announce the launch of a new product in its line of precision AC-DC Converters – the B Series. Attached you will find a press release and product images for use. The B Series is available at 1kV to 12kV at 4, 20, 30 or 50 watts of output power. The B […]
3D graphene: Solar power’s next platinum?
August 20, 2013—One of the most promising types of solar cells has a few drawbacks. A scientist at Michigan Technological University may have overcome one of them. Dye-sensitized solar cells are thin, flexible, easy to make and very good at turning sunshine into electricity. However, a key ingredient is one of the most expensive metals […]