The explosion of mobile electronic devices, electric vehicles, drones and other technologies have driven demand for new lightweight materials that can provide the power to operate them. Researchers from the University of Houston and Texas A&M University have reported a structural supercapacitor electrode made from reduced graphene oxide and aramid nanofiber that is stronger … [Read more...] about New material, modeling methods promise advances in energy storage
Discovery unlocks ‘hot’ electrons for more efficient energy use
Highly energetic, "hot" electrons have the potential to help solar panels more efficiently harvest light energy. But up until now, scientists haven't been able to measure the energies of those electrons, limiting their use. Researchers have now demonstrated how a technique using a scanning tunneling microscope integrated with lasers and other optical components reveals the … [Read more...] about Discovery unlocks ‘hot’ electrons for more efficient energy use
Double-sided solar panels that follow the sun prove most cost effective
Solar power systems with double-sided (bifacial) solar panels -- which collect sunlight from two sides instead of one -- and single-axis tracking technology that tilts the panels so they can follow the sun are the most cost effective to date, researchers report. They determined that this combination of technologies produces almost 35% more energy, on average, than immobile … [Read more...] about Double-sided solar panels that follow the sun prove most cost effective
New record for carbon dioxide capture
Researchers have set a record for carbon dioxide capture using Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The technology resembles a sponge filled with tiny magnets. … [Read more...] about New record for carbon dioxide capture
Precision spray coating could enable solar cells with better performance and stability
Although perovskites are a promising alternative to the silicon used to make most of today's solar cells, new manufacturing processes are needed to make them practical for commercial production. To help fill this gap, researchers have developed a new precision spray-coating method that enables more complex perovskite solar cell designs and could be scaled up for mass … [Read more...] about Precision spray coating could enable solar cells with better performance and stability