A key challenge to capturing and controlling fusion energy on Earth is maintaining the stability of plasma -- the electrically charged gas that fuels fusion reactions -- and keeping it millions of degrees hot to launch and maintain fusion reactions. This challenge requires controlling magnetic islands, bubble-like structures that form in the plasma in doughnut-shaped tokamak … [Read more...] about Scientists explore the power of radio waves to help control fusion reactions
A leap in using silicon for battery anodes
The same material you'll find at the tip of a pencil -- graphite -- has long been a key component in today's lithium-ion batteries. As our reliance on these batteries increases, however, graphite-based electrodes are due for an upgrade. For that, scientists are looking to the element at the heart of the digital revolution: silicon. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's … [Read more...] about A leap in using silicon for battery anodes
Make wastewater drinkable again
Delivering water to city dwellers can become far more efficient, according to Rice University researchers who say it should involve a healthy level of recycled wastewater. Using Houston as a model, researchers at Rice's Brown School of Engineering have developed a plan that could reduce the need for surface water (from rivers, reservoirs or wells) by 28% by recycling wastewater … [Read more...] about Make wastewater drinkable again
Researchers make key advance toward production of important biofuel
An international research collaboration has taken an important step toward the commercially viable manufacture of biobutanol, an alcohol whose strong potential as a fuel for gasoline-powered engines could pave the path away from fossil fuels. The key breakthrough is the development of a new metal organic framework, or MOF, that can efficiently separate biobutanol from the broth … [Read more...] about Researchers make key advance toward production of important biofuel
Catalyst opens door to more efficient, environmentally friendly ethylene production
A research team led by North Carolina State University has engineered a new catalyst that can more efficiently convert ethane into ethylene, which is used in a variety of manufacturing processes. The discovery could be used in a conversion process to drastically reduce ethylene production costs and cut related carbon dioxide emissions by up to 87%. "Our lab previously proposed … [Read more...] about Catalyst opens door to more efficient, environmentally friendly ethylene production