Metals Tech

Hydrogen is a fuel alternative that is becoming increasingly interesting for heavy-duty vehicles. Hydrogen-powered vehicles only emit water vapor as exhaust, and if the hydrogen is produced using renewable energy, it is completely free of carbon dioxide emissions. Unlike battery-powered electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles do not need to burden the electricity grid, as hydrogen can […]

A tiny battery designed by MIT engineers could enable the deployment of cell-sized, autonomous robots for drug delivery within in the human body, as well as other applications such as locating leaks in gas pipelines. The new battery, which is 0.1 millimeters long and 0.002 millimeters thick—roughly the thickness of a human hair—can capture oxygen from […]

Scientists have revealed the fastest battery-charging technology in the world for smartphones, which can fully charge a smartphone in less than 5 minutes. The 320-watt fast-charging technology, dubbed “320W SuperSonic Charge,” was developed by Chinese consumer electronics company Realme and beats out previous chargers. Smartphone maker Redmi, a Xiaomi subsidiary, had previously unveiled a 300 […]

Chinese car maker Zeekr says its new electric vehicle (EV) batteries charge faster than any of its rivals, including industry leaders Tesla and BYD. The firm claims its upgraded batteries can be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in 10 and a half minutes using its ultra-fast charging stations. In comparison, Elon Musk’s Tesla says […]

Power grid operators, such as National Grid in the UK, rely on high-performance computers to plan grid expansions and to schedule when energy should be produced from different sources. These problems are becoming larger and more complex due to the transition to net zero carbon emissions, and they are now reaching the limits of even […]

The average price of a lithium-ion battery pack for a light-duty EV has decreased 90% over the past 15 years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates. In 2023, the DOE estimates pack prices averaged $139/kwh on a usable-energy basis for production at scale, meaning at least 100,000 units per year. That’s still not quite […]

Samsung SDI, who already produces some of Tesla’s 4680 battery cells, has recently begun testing new solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries are expected to be smaller, lighter, cooler, and safer than current cell formats that are used in electric vehicles. There’s a lot of potential and possibilities in solid-state batteries. Let’s dig into exactly what these […]

My colleagues and I have developed an artificial intelligence system that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner. I’m an engineer who studies and develops smart buildings. My lab created Merlin, which learns how people use energy in their homes and adjust energy controls like thermostats to meet […]

Single-use health care items—everything from gloves and blood bags to surgical equipment—have become a growing environmental problem worldwide. Their use has increased sharply in recent years, and there are currently no methods for recycling such plastic medical waste. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, have now shown how mixed waste from health care can be […]

As temperatures climb on hot days, many of us are quick to crank up our fans or air conditioners. These cooling systems can be a major stress on electrical grids, which has inspired some inventors to create versions that can store energy as well as use it. Cooling represents 20% of global electricity demand in […]