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Category: sustainability – Page 18

Increasing module efficiency and expanding manufacturing capacity play complementary roles in reducing costs of metal halide perovskite/silicon tandem solar modules, according to researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Each cost lever can play a similar role depending on a manufacturer’s ability to scale up and improve module performance.

Most photovoltaic (PV) modules manufactured today are based on single-junction . By pairing silicon with another such as metal halide perovskites (MHPs), thus creating a , manufacturers can create a solar module that can convert more sunlight to electricity than using silicon alone.

This tandem technology is still in the early stages, and there are multiple options being pursued to integrate MHPs and silicon, with a lot of unknowns in terms of cost and performance. To address this gap, the researchers built a manufacturing cost model that combines laboratory processes with existing equipment and supply chains to compare different possible approaches at scale.

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Tesla is set to enable Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle drivers to access its expansive Supercharging Network in February, the company confirmed today.

Mercedes-Benz becomes the latest of several OEMs to utilize Tesla’s massive EV charging infrastructure, something it opened to other brands starting early last year.

Drivers of the German automaker’s EVs will be able to plug in at any Tesla Supercharger in the United States starting in February. For now, only U.S. drivers will have access to charging stalls.

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Dive into the mesmerizing world of quantum mechanics and uncover the secrets of the quantum vacuum—a concept that challenges everything we thought we knew about empty space. This video explores the dynamic, energy-filled realm of the quantum vacuum, where virtual particles pop in and out of existence and Zero Point Energy offers tantalizing possibilities for clean, limitless power.

Learn about the Casimir Effect, a fascinating phenomenon where quantum fluctuations create forces between metal plates, and discover how these principles could revolutionize fields like nanotechnology, energy production, and even space exploration. From the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to the Reverse Casimir Effect, this journey into quantum mechanics highlights the incredible potential of harnessing Zero Point Energy for a sustainable future.

Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a technology visionary, or just curious about the universe’s mysteries, this video will inspire you with the groundbreaking implications of the quantum vacuum and Zero Point Energy.

#QuantumVacuum #ZeroPointEnergy #QuantumMechanics #VirtualParticles #CasimirEffect #ReverseCasimirEffect #QuantumEnergy #CleanEnergy #LimitlessEnergy #QuantumFluctuations #QuantumPhysics #SustainableEnergy #HendrikCasimir #HeisenbergUncertainty #Nanotechnology #EnergyBreakthroughs #QuantumScience #QuantumFieldTheory #FuturisticEnergy #QuantumComputing #mcgintyequation

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Do planets have intelligence? That seems to be the main idea behind a new hypothesis put forth by astrobiologists: that planets are also intelligent beings. This thought experiment is based on the idea that planets like Earth have undergone changes due to the collective activity of life, such as that of microorganisms or plants, which has given them the ability to develop a life of their own.

The research, which was published in the International Journal of Astrobiology, establishes a framework for evaluating a planet’s intelligence. To think of intelligence in terms of an intergalactic body rather than sentient creatures like humans is a startling prospect. But in a way, a planet can have a “green mind ”; this paradigm offers fresh perspectives on how to deal with crises like climate change and technological upheaval.

The researchers defined planetary intelligence as cognitive activity and knowledge operating on a large planetary scale. We know intelligence as a concept describes individuals, collective groups, even the curious behaviors of viruses or molds. The underground networks of fungi, for instance, are the breathing life of forests; they form a life system that recognizes changing climate conditions and actively respond to them. These things profoundly alter the condition of the entire planet.

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Green tech innovations to combat climate change.

As the world faces the accelerating impacts of climate change, there is an urgent need for solutions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainability, and protect the environment. Green technology, or “green tech,” is playing a critical role in the fight against climate change. This innovative field focuses on creating products, services, and systems that minimize the environmental impact of human activities while promoting sustainability. In this article, we explore the latest green tech innovations and how they are transforming industries, driving sustainability, and contributing to a greener planet.

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Evolution of the iodine cycle and the late stabilization of the Earth’s ozone layer https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.

If you like the smell of spring roses, the sounds of summer bird song, and the colors of fall foliage, you have the stabilization of the ozone layer to thank for it. Located in the stratosphere, where it shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, the ozone layer plays a key role in preserving the planet’s biodiversity.

Now we may have a better idea of why that took so long—more than 2 billion years—to happen.

According to a new, Yale-led study, Earth’s early atmosphere hosted a battle royale between iodine and oxygen—effectively delaying the creation of a stable that would shield from much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

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When a spider is spinning its web, its silk starts out as liquid and quickly turns into a solid that is, pound for pound, sturdier than steel. They manage to create these impressive materials at room temperature with biodegradable and environmentally friendly polymers. Materials scientists at Carnegie Mellon are studying these processes to better understand the ways biological systems manipulate polymers, and how we can borrow their techniques to improve industrial plastic processing.

One unique quality of polymers is that their molecules can have different shapes or “architectures,” and these shapes can have a big impact on their and recyclability. Polymer chains can form molecular strings, mesh-like networks, or even closed rings.

A new discovery about how ring-shaped polymers behave offers the potential to enable new ways for polymer scientists to design more sustainable materials. A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon, Sandia National Laboratories, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has conducted the largest simulation to date on this type of polymer and confirmed theoretical predictions, finding that the ring polymers spontaneously solidify into glass when their chains become sufficiently long.

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Case Western Reserve University researcher advances zinc-sulfur battery technology. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power everything from electric vehicles to wearable devices. But new research from Case Western Reserve University suggests that a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative may lie in zinc-based batteries.

In a study published recently in Angewandte Chemie, researchers announced a significant step toward creating high-performance, low-cost zinc-sulfur batteries.

“This research marks a major step forward in the development of safer and more sustainable energy storage solutions,” said Chase Cao, a principal investigator and assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Case School of Engineering. “Aqueous zinc-sulfur batteries offer the potential to power a wide range of applications — from renewable energy systems to portable electronics — with reduced environmental impact and reliance on scarce materials.”

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A new study uncovers a molecular modification method for converting CO2 into valuable chemical resources using a platinum surface.

Copper-based (Cu) materials are widely recognized for their efficiency in converting CO2 into valuable hydrocarbons via the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, their stability, particularly in acidic environments, needs significant improvement. In contrast, metallic platinum (Pt) demonstrates excellent stability under both acidic and alkaline conditions. However, its high activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) hinders its effectiveness in CO2RR applications.

To address these challenges, composite materials incorporating metal-doped molecules offer a promising solution. These modified molecules can be securely retained at the interface, forming a unique structure that enhances the metal interface properties. This configuration not only increases the contact between reactants and active sites but also optimizes the adsorption strength of critical intermediates, ultimately improving catalytic performance.

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Researchers at Cornell University have created a sustainable method to extract gold from electronic waste and use it as a catalyst to transform CO2 into valuable organic materials.

This process provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional extraction methods, utilizes vast amounts of e-waste, and helps mitigate CO2 emissions, showcasing a promising avenue for environmental conservation and resource recovery.

Innovative Gold Recovery from E-Waste.

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