The charge of a single electron, e, is defined as the basic unit of electric charge. Because electrons -- the subatomic particles that carry electricity -- are elementary particles and cannot be split, fractions of electronic charge are not normally encountered. Despite this, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have recently observed the signature of … [Read more...] about Signatures of fractional electronic charge observed in topological insulators
Water vapor in the atmosphere may be prime renewable energy source
A new study finds that water vapor in the atmosphere may serve as a potential renewable energy source in the future. … [Read more...] about Water vapor in the atmosphere may be prime renewable energy source
Spontaneous formation of nanoscale hollow structures could boost battery storage
An unexpected property of nanometer-scale antimony crystals -- the spontaneous formation of hollow structures -- could help give the next generation of lithium ion batteries higher energy density without reducing battery lifetime. The reversibly hollowing structures could allow lithium ion batteries to hold more energy and therefore provide more power between charges. Flow of … [Read more...] about Spontaneous formation of nanoscale hollow structures could boost battery storage
Tiny, magnetically powered neural stimulator
Rice University neuroengineers have created a tiny surgical implant that can electrically stimulate the brain and nervous system without using a battery or wired power supply. The neural stimulator draws its power from magnetic energy and is about the size of a grain of rice. It is the first magnetically powered neural stimulator that produces the same kind of high-frequency … [Read more...] about Tiny, magnetically powered neural stimulator
Researchers advance fuel cell technology
Washington State University researchers have made a key advance in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that could make the highly energy-efficient and low-polluting technology a more viable alternative to gasoline combustion engines for powering cars. Led by PhD graduate Qusay Bkour and Professor Su Ha in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, … [Read more...] about Researchers advance fuel cell technology