Metals Tech

Nagoya University researchers are proposing substituting palladium spherical nanoparticles for nanosheets in catalysts used to produce hydrogen for fuel cells. According to the group, a flatter, thinner surface would use fewer precious metals and increase the available surface area for the reaction. In a paper published in the journal ACS Nano, the scientists explain that […]

As the world pivots from planet-warming fossil fuels to renewable energy, a new pollution problem is rearing its head: What to do with old or worn-out solar panels? Thousands of photovoltaic slabs are being installed across the United States every day, particularly in the sunny west and south of the country, as states like California […]

Researchers led by Genki Kobayashi at the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research in Japan have developed a solid electrolyte for transporting hydride ions (H−) at room temperature. This breakthrough means that the advantages of hydrogen-based solid-state batteries and fuel cells are within practical reach, including improved safety, efficiency, and energy density, which are essential for […]

A study published in the journal of Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, addresses the crucial waste management challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with a specific focus on the Maldives. This research underscores the impact of the region’s distinct natural and socioeconomic elements on waste management strategies. It aims to bring to […]

Georgia Tech materials engineers have unraveled the mechanism that causes degradation of a promising new material for solar cells—and they’ve been able to stop it using a thin layer of molecules that repels water. Their findings are the first step in solving one of the key limitations of metal halide perovskites, which are already as […]

Adrien Lelièvre, has recently engineered a sustainable solution to power the e-bike boom. According to Euronews, Lelièvre “designed and patented an e-bike called Pi-Pop, which doesn’t use lithium batteries but supercapacitors.” Lelièvre told Euronews, “The system gets charged when the ride is easy and when the bike brakes—thanks to engine braking—the energy is given back when needed.” […]

LED lighting is up to 44% more efficient than 4-foot fluorescent tubes, according to a University of Michigan study. The study compared the costs of six replacement options (one fluorescent and five LED) for linear recessed lighting systems and found that LED products were 18%–44% more efficient than T8 fluorescent lamps. The study was published […]

Simulations from West Virginia University researchers demonstrate their use of two kinds of industrial wastewater to decontaminate each other has the potential to slash a power plant’s total water use. The researchers from the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources modeled various scenarios for using “cooling tower blowdown” and “produced water” […]

Do electric bikes (e-bikes) improve the overall quality of mobility for certain groups in a region? Do they provide a similar level of time-, cost-, and energy-efficient access to opportunities as cars? To garner real-world data to answer such questions and enable in-depth evaluation of emerging transportation modes such as e-bikes, National Renewable Energy Laboratory […]

Often referred to as the “dream batteries,” all-solid-state batteries are the next generation of batteries that many battery manufacturers are competing to bring to market. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which use a liquid electrolyte, all components, including the electrolyte, anode, and cathode are solid, reducing the risk of explosion, and are in high demand in markets […]