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Archive for the ‘energy’ category: Page 311

Mar 3, 2017

New strain of algae produces five times more hydrogen fuel

Posted by in categories: energy, genetics, transportation

Hydrogen can be used in combustion like a regular gas engine or mixed with oxygen in a fuel cell for an electric engine.


A Tel Aviv University team led by Iftach Yacoby genetically engineered algae to emit hydrogen five times more efficiently to potentially power hydrogen cars.

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Mar 3, 2017

Researchers create new form of matter—supersolid is crystalline and superfluid at the same time

Posted by in categories: energy, quantum physics

MIT physicists have created a new form of matter, a supersolid, which combines the properties of solids with those of superfluids.

By using lasers to manipulate a superfluid gas known as a Bose-Einstein condensate, the team was able to coax the condensate into a quantum phase of matter that has a rigid structure—like a solid—and can flow without viscosity—a key characteristic of a superfluid. Studies into this apparently contradictory phase of matter could yield deeper insights into superfluids and superconductors, which are important for improvements in technologies such as superconducting magnets and sensors, as well as efficient energy transport. The researchers report their results this week in the journal Nature.

“It is counterintuitive to have a material which combines superfluidity and solidity,” says team leader Wolfgang Ketterle, the John D. MacArthur Professor of Physics at MIT. “If your coffee was superfluid and you stirred it, it would continue to spin around forever.”

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Mar 2, 2017

Denmark runs entirely on wind energy for a day

Posted by in categories: energy, sustainability

Denmark’s wind turbines produced enough electricity to power the entire country last month.

The Scandinavian nation generated 97 gigawatt-hours (GWh) on 22 February, thanks to particularly windy weather, which is enough to power 10 million average EU households for the day.

Wind Europe spokesman Oliver Joy said the “impressive” feat was another boon for wind energy.

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Feb 28, 2017

Disney Brings You the Wireless-Powered Room–Is Real-Life TRON Next?

Posted by in category: energy

Word association time. I say “quasistatic cavity resonance”; you say…?

“Whaaaa?” or “Heh heh, cavity” are expected. But if you said “enabling purpose-built structures, such as cabinets, rooms, and warehouses, to generate quasistatic magnetic fields that safely deliver kilowatts of power to mobile receivers contained nearly anywhere within,” you win the virtual no-prize.

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Feb 27, 2017

Scientists Have Unveiled The World’s Most Powerful “Super Laser”

Posted by in category: energy

British and Czech scientists have unveiled a new “super laser” that they claim is the most powerful pulse laser available today.

The laser was developed by Britain’s Central Laser Facility (CLF) and Czech research and development project HiLASE (high average power pulsed laser). The 22-ton device has been dubbed Bijov after a mythical Czech strongman, and it cost $48 million to build.

Bijov has an average power output of 1,000 watts — a world record for pulse lasers. It first crossed this “magical barrier” on December 16, 2016, and HiLASE physicist Martin Divoky told AFP that it is “10 times as powerful” as any other laser of the same type.

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Feb 27, 2017

Space, environment, resources, jobs

Posted by in categories: employment, energy, space

An answer to concerns about rejuvenation-induced overpopulation from a logistical point of view.


Why do we worry about overpopulation? What’s so bad about it? Well, several things. We could have too many people with respect to the space available on Earth; too many people and not enough jobs for everyone; too many people and not sufficient resources; too many people polluting the environment beyond what it can take.

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Feb 25, 2017

A forgotten war technology could safely power Earth for millions of years. Here’s why we aren’t using it

Posted by in category: energy

The science is proven. The concept works. Whether it’s built before humanity’s looming energy crisis is up to us.

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Feb 25, 2017

Graphene oxide supercapacitor commercial prototype targeted within 2 years

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, energy, transportation

OMG? Are we going to have super cheap electric vehicles in a few years that charge in a few seconds/minutes?

I hope so! This is very exciting.


Australia has supercapacitors made from graphene oxide. They can can store as much energy per kilogram as a lithium battery, but charges in minutes, or even seconds, and uses carbon instead of expensive lithium.

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Feb 25, 2017

Here’s the Bonkers Idea to Make a Hyperloop-Style Rocket Launcher

Posted by in categories: energy, space, transportation

James Powell’s maglev tube could send crewed capsules to space with way less fuel.

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Feb 25, 2017

Nano-sized hydrogen storage system increases efficiency

Posted by in categories: energy, nanotechnology, transportation

Nice.


Lawrence Livermore scientists have collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of researchers including colleagues from Sandia National Laboratories to develop an efficient hydrogen storage system that could be a boon for hydrogen powered vehicles.

Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier, but the development of lightweight solid-state materials for compact, low-pressure storage is a huge challenge.

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