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Category: energy – Page 25

Researchers at the University of Bayreuth present novel electrospun nonwovens in Science Advances that exhibit an unusual combination of high electrical conductivity and extremely low thermal conductivity.

The nonwovens represent a breakthrough in : it has been possible to decouple electrical and based on a simple-to-implement material concept. The nonwovens are made of carbon and silicon-based ceramic via electrospinning process and are attractive for technological applications, for example, in and electronics. They can be manufactured and processed cost-effectively on an industrial scale.

Normally, is associated with , and goes with low electrical conductivity. However, in many high-tech industries, there is growing interest in multifunctional materials that that combine good electric with low thermal transport.

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This approach is not only faster and more energy-efficient but also delivers precise control over the material’s optical properties.

Light-Powered Quantum Dot Tuning

Researchers at north carolina state university.

Founded in 1887 and part of the University of North Carolina system, North Carolina State University (also referred to as NCSU, NC State, or just State) is a public land-grant research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. NC State offers a wide range of academic programs and disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, business, and education. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, science, and technology and is a leader in research and innovation. It forms one of the corners of the Research Triangle together with Duke University in Durham and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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For nearly two decades, scientists have been puzzled by the corrosion of negatively polarized platinum electrodes, a costly issue for water electrolyzers used in hydrogen production and electrochemical sensors.

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Now, researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Leiden University have identified the culprit, paving the way for cheaper hydrogen energy and more reliable sensors.

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Among the most intriguing ideas is warp drive—a concept that challenges Einstein’s Theory of Relativity by suggesting faster-than-light travel might be possible by warping space and time.

In 1994, theoretical physicist Miguel Alcubierre introduced the idea of a space-time bubble that could contract distances ahead of a spacecraft while expanding them behind it. His model, known as the Alcubierre drive, suggested a loophole in relativity that could, in theory, allow faster-than-light travel. Yet, most scientists dismissed it as impossible due to extreme energy requirements.

Not everyone was ready to abandon the idea. Joseph Agnew, an undergraduate at the University of Alabama, set out to explore whether the theory held up mathematically. “If you fulfill all the energy requirements, they can’t prove that it doesn’t work,” he stated in a university press release.

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A breathtaking new image of the RCW 38 star cluster showcases a cosmic nursery bursting with color, light, and energy.

Located 5,500 light-years away, this region teems with young, newly formed stars and swirling clouds of glowing gas. The European Southern Observatory’s powerful VISTA telescope cuts through the dust to reveal hidden celestial wonders, offering astronomers a rare glimpse into the chaotic beauty of star birth.

A stunning glimpse of RCW 38.

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And understanding these waves a little better could help scientists better predict when and where they’ll happen, as well as how strong they’ll be. That could be vital to the safety of satellites orbiting our planet, which are vulnerable to solar storms and other sudden bursts of radiation from deep space.

“These high-energy electrons are known as ‘killer electrons’ because they have damaged several satellites, costing hundreds of millions of dollars,” wrote Horne. “Chorus waves are now included in forecasting models that are designed to protect these satellites.”

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In a major leap forward for energy storage technology, a team of researchers from South Korea has developed a groundbreaking method that could revolutionize the manufacturing of sodium-ion batteries. This innovation not only promises to enhance battery efficiency but could also reshape how we think about energy storage and its future applications in various industries.

At the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), a team led by Dr. Kim and Dr. Park has achieved a breakthrough in the production of hard carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries. By using a method that involves microwave induction heating, they are now able to prepare these anodes in just 30 seconds —a dramatic improvement over conventional methods. This quick processing technique could significantly reduce manufacturing times and costs, potentially making sodium-ion batteries a more viable option for widespread use.

The research team’s approach has already gained considerable attention in the scientific community, as it marks a significant step toward the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries, which are seen as a safer, more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

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Life on Earth has always existed in the flux of ionizing radiation. However, fungi seem to interact with the ionizing radiation differently from other Earth’s inhabitants. Recent data show that melanized fungal species like those from Chernobyl’s reactor respond to ionizing radiation with enhanced growth. Fungi colonize space stations and adapt morphologically to extreme conditions. Radiation exposure causes upregulation of many key genes, and an inducible microhomology-mediated recombination pathway could be a potential mechanism of adaptive evolution in eukaryotes. The discovery of melanized organisms in high radiation environments, the space stations, Antarctic mountains, and in the reactor cooling water combined with phenomenon of ‘radiotropism’ raises the tantalizing possibility that melanins have functions analogous to other energy harvesting pigments such as chlorophylls.

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