Smokey the Bear says that only you can prevent wildfires, but what if Smokey had a high-tech backup? In a new study, a team of Michigan State University scientists designed and fabricated a remote forest fire detection and alarm system powered by nothing but the movement of the trees in the wind. As detailed in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, the device, known as … [Read more...] about Self-powered alarm fights forest fires, monitors environment
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Research determines financial benefit from driving electric vehicles
Motorists can save as much as $14,500 on fuel costs over 15 years by driving an electric vehicle instead of a similar one fueled by gasoline, according to a new analysis conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Previous studies assumed a singular value for the cost to … [Read more...] about Research determines financial benefit from driving electric vehicles
Decline in green energy spending might offset COVID-era emissions benefits
The short-term environmental benefits of the COVID-19 crisis, including declines in carbon emissions and local air pollution, have been documented since the early days of the crisis. This silver lining to the global crisis, however, could be far outweighed by the long-term impacts on clean energy innovation, a new Yale-led study finds. The economic downturn triggered by the … [Read more...] about Decline in green energy spending might offset COVID-era emissions benefits
New battery electrolyte may boost the performance of electric vehicles
A new lithium-based electrolyte invented by Stanford University scientists could pave the way for the next generation of battery-powered electric vehicles. In a study published June 22 in Nature Energy, Stanford researchers demonstrate how their novel electrolyte design boosts the performance of lithium metal batteries, a promising technology for powering electric vehicles, … [Read more...] about New battery electrolyte may boost the performance of electric vehicles
New system uses wind turbines to defend the US national grid from power cuts
A 'smart' system that controls the storage and release of energy from wind turbines will reduce the risk of power cuts and support the increase of wind energy use world-wide, say researchers. … [Read more...] about New system uses wind turbines to defend the US national grid from power cuts