A Charge For All Seasons…

The new composition for fluorine-containing electrolytes promises to maintain high battery charging performance for future electric vehicles even at sub-zero temperatures. (Image by Shutterstock.) Topics: Battery, Chemistry, Climate Change, Global Warming, Lithium, Materials Science Scientists developed a new and safer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries that work as well in sub-zero conditions as it does atContinue reading “A Charge For All Seasons…”

TEG…

The new self-powered thermoelectric generator device uses an ultra-broadband solar absorber (UBSA) to capture sunlight, which heats the generator. Simultaneously, another component called a planar radiative cooling emitter (RCE) cools part of the device by releasing heat. Credit: Haoyuan Cai, Jimei University. Topics: Alternate Energy, Battery, Chemistry, Energy, Materials Science, Thermodynamics Researchers have developed aContinue reading “TEG…”

Green Transition…

Photo: Getty Images Topics: Battery, Chemistry, Climate Change, Economics, Global Warming Welcome back to The Green Era, a weekly newsletter bringing you the news and trends in the world of sustainability. Click subscribe above to be notified of future editions. The shift to renewable energy has caused consternation over the fate of workers in theContinue reading “Green Transition…”

Green Homing…

Divine light The Dean of Gloucester Cathedral, Stephen Lake, blesses the cathedral’s solar panels after the solar-energy firm MyPower installed them in November 2016. The array of PV panels generates just over 25% of the building’s electricity. (Courtesy: MyPower) Topics: Alternate Energy, Applied Physics, Battery, Chemistry, Economics, Solar Power With energy bills on the rise, plentyContinue reading “Green Homing…”

CEM for SEI…

Panel A shows how the native SEI on Li metal is passivating to nitrogen gas, which means that no reactivity with Li metal is possible. Panel B shows that a proton donor like Ethanol will disrupt the SEI passivation and enable Li metal to react with nitrogen species. Panel C describes 3 potential mechanisms throughContinue reading “CEM for SEI…”

Perovskite and Maxima…

Topics: Alternate Energy, Applied Physics, Battery, Chemistry, Civilization, Climate Change A longstanding explanation for why perovskite materials make such good solar cells has been cast into doubt thanks to new measurements. Previously, physicists ascribed the favorable optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskites to the behavior of quasiparticles called polarons within the material’s crystal lattice. Now,Continue reading “Perovskite and Maxima…”

Forging Ahead…

Topics: Battery, Biofuels, Climate Change, Existentialism, Global Warming Reducing carbon dioxide emissions and removing them from the atmosphere is critical to the global fight against climate change. Called decarbonization, it is one of the focal points in the nation’s strategy to ensure a bright future for our planet and all who live on it. TheContinue reading “Forging Ahead…”

Racing Green…

Topics: Alternate Energy, Battery, Biofuels, Climate Change, Global Warming Cars – and in particular racecars – might seem the villains in a world grappling with climate change. Racing Green: How Motorsport Science Can Change the World hopes to convince you of exactly the opposite, with science journalist Kit Chapman showing how motorsports not only pioneers new, planet-friendlierContinue reading “Racing Green…”

Quantum Charging…

Topics: Alternate Energy, Battery, Green Tech, Nanotechnology, Quantum Mechanics Note: I’m in the semifinals of the 3-Minute Thesis competition, so I decided to focus on my presentation. Wish me luck. This does, however, relate to our need as a species to get off fossil fuels as soon as possible, so things like Ukraine, Crimea, andContinue reading “Quantum Charging…”

M.A.D…

Topics: Alternate Energy, Battery, Biofuels, Climate Change, Environment, Politics Want another reason to loathe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Just look at how it may completely doom the Paris climate accords — and our planet. According to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the problem of climate change — which he admitted was “not solved” during the COP26Continue reading “M.A.D…”