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Clean Energy

11/22/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Study explores semi-artificial photosynthesis; a new way to produce and store solar energy

Researchers found a better way to squeeze more electricity out of solar power. An article in Science Daily described how they modified photosynthesis so that it could split water into its component molecules. In the photosynthetic process, sunlight is used by plants, some bacteria, and certain protists to turn carbon dioxide and water into food. Oxygen is […]

11/12/2018 / By Ralph Flores

Can natural antioxidants be used to stabilize the properties of some biodiesels?

Antioxidants have become one of the most popular buzzwords when it comes to human health, and for good reason: They protect the body from aging and inflammation, and can even help us with weight loss. However, a study published in the Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences indicates that they could soon be used for cars, […]

09/21/2018 / By Isabelle Z.

Next-gen solar cells use bacteria that convert light into energy

Solar power has a lot of benefits, but one big downside is the fact that places where it’s overcast more often than not can’t make the most of this clean power source. All that could be set to change, however, as scientists in often-cloudy British Columbia have found a way to use E. coli bacteria […]

09/03/2018 / By Ralph Flores

Researchers test various antioxidants to reduce oxidation of biodiesels

Researchers have found that adding antioxidants to biodiesel can significantly increase its performance, particularly, its oxidative stability in the fuel. The procedure, which was published in the Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Science, focused on improving biodiesel, a renewable fuel source, which can reduce hydrocarbon, particulate, and carbon monoxide emissions after it is blended with conventional […]

08/29/2018 / By Edsel Cook

New technology enables scientists to generate energy from live bacteria

Researchers have come up with a new and natural way to harvest energy from the sun. Instead of creating a more efficient solar panel or photovoltaic material, they devised a means of getting electricity from photosynthetic cyanobacteria, an article in News Wise reported. This family of microorganisms is often found in lakes, seas, and other areas that […]

08/18/2018 / By Edsel Cook

“The potential is huge!” say researchers who were able to develop advanced biofuels using only existing power plants

A decade’s worth of studies on biomass gasification has finally delivered “huge” results for Swedish researchers. In a Science Daily article, they announced breakthroughs in conversion technology that would let countries like Sweden produce large amounts of renewable fuels without the need to build expensive new power plants. Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers) energy expert […]

08/10/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

New artificial photosynthesis device to be used to harvest clean hydrogen fuel

Science is not new to seeking inspiration from nature. A photochemical diode capable of artificial photosynthesis could be the latest solution to obtaining clean energy, says research published in the journal Nature Communications. The device is comparable to a conventional solar cell – they are, in fact, made from almost the same materials. It uses […]

08/06/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Could eggshell membranes be the next great biomaterial for harvesting green energy?

Of all the naturally occurring organic materials in the world, you wouldn’t think eggs would have anything to do with collecting clean, sustainable energy. And it is not even the entire egg, but just the shell. An article on Nanowerks covered how eggshell membranes might serve as a biomaterial for piezoelectric materials used in nanogenerators. […]

07/15/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Sandia National Laboratories receives $10m from DOE to design a cheaper and more efficient solar energy system

The U.S. Department of Natural Energy (DOE) has bestowed a $10.5 million grant on a New Mexico-based research and development laboratory. In return, the researchers will come up with a cheaper and better version of an existing utility-scale solar power system, an article in News Wise states. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) will be refining “concentrated […]

07/12/2018 / By David Williams

Polymer solar cells can’t compete with silicon but they will serve a different function

As the solar industry keeps growing bigger, the search for more efficient and more cost-effective solar panel construction materials goes on as well. There are a number of known alternatives available on the market, but none of them can quite come close to the standard material of choice – silicon. Still, there is a case […]

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