Archive for the ‘sustainability’ category: Page 430
Dec 21, 2016
Molecular Velcro boosts microalgae’s potential in biofuel, industrial applications
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: biological, solar power, sustainability
Michigan State University scientists have engineered “molecular Velcro” into to cyanobacteria, boosting this microalgae’s biofuel viability as well as its potential for other research.
The findings, featured in the current issue of ACS Synthetic Biology, show how MSU researchers have designed a surface display system to attach cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, to yeast and other surfaces. The proof-of-concept may improve the efficiency of harvesting algae as well as open avenues to improve the construction of artificial microbial communities for sustainable biofuel production or other industrial projects.
“Inadequate cyanobacterial toolkits limited our ability to come up with biological solutions,” said Derek Fedeson, MSU graduate student and the study’s co-lead author. “So, we wanted to add another tool to the toolbox to expand the capacity of these bacteria, which can harness solar energy for the production of useful compounds.”
Dec 21, 2016
How graphene quantum dots can convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: climatology, quantum physics, sustainability
Researchers used nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots to convert carbon dioxide into liquid hydrocarbons like ethylene and ethanol for use as fuel.
The wonder material known as graphene may have a new trick up its sleeve: converting carbon dioxide into liquid fuels. A team of researchers at Rich University in Texas used nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) as a catalyst in electrochemical reactions that create ethylene and ethanol, and the stability and efficiency of the material is close to common electrocatalysts such as copper.
In the fight to slow climate change, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere is crucial, and plenty of research is looking into how we can capture carbon at the source, using clay, engineered bacteria, metal-organic frameworks, or materials like the “Memzyme” and sequester it into rock and concrete. Other studies are focusing on converting the captured carbon into liquid hydrocarbons, which can be used as fuel.
Continue reading “How graphene quantum dots can convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels” »
Dec 18, 2016
Reactor that produces liquid fuel from CO2 in the air to be tested in portable pilot plant
Posted by Andreas Matt in category: sustainability
Interesting…
A transportable chemical reactor developed at Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and spinoff company Ineratec that uses solar power to convert CO2 from the air and regenerative hydrogen from electrolysis into liquid fuels will be tested in a pilot plant.
Dec 13, 2016
Two electrons go on a quantum walk and end up in a qudit: Russian scientists find a way to reliably connect quantum elements
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: biotech/medical, computing, nanotechnology, particle physics, quantum physics, solar power, sustainability
This is a BIG DEAL in QC, and Russian Scientists solved it.
Abstract: Scientists from the Institute of Physics and Technology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and MIPT have let two electrons loose in a system of quantum dots to create a quantum computer memory cell of a higher dimension than a qubit (a quantum bit). In their study published in Scientific Reports, the researchers demonstrate for the first time how quantum walks of several electrons can help to implement quantum computation.
“By studying the system with two electrons, we solved the problems faced in the general case of two identical interacting particles. This paves the way toward compact high-level quantum structures,” comments Leonid Fedichkin, Expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vice-Director for Science at NIX (a Russian computer company), and Associate Professor at MIPT’s Department of Theoretical Physics.
Dec 13, 2016
America’s first 3D printed houses
Posted by Klaus Baldauf in categories: 3D printing, habitats, sustainability
The U.S may soon have 3D printed homes, and a new partnership are claiming they will be created in just one day. Construction company Sunconomy have teamed up with Russian 3D printers Apis Cor and their 3D concrete printer and realize this ambition. Larry Haines, founder of Sunconomy, wants the public to join them on a “revolutionary journey to build affordable, smart, sustainable housing with Apis Cor’s new 3D concrete printer “. Sunconomy are currently crowd-funding for this project with a goal of over $500,000.
Dec 10, 2016
Turning a Tesla Into a Brain-Controlled Vehicle
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: robotics/AI, sustainability
Although we strive towards a limited invasive BMI technology; public adoption will (like autonomous AI) will be limited until the public and even private networks are updated and secured with QC.
The driver mentally commands the car to accelerate or brake. True, the autopilot is a joy and wonder to marvel, but what about those who still love driving? Good new, soon enough it will be possible to drive with your mind.
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Dec 9, 2016
Tesla Gigafactory Launch
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: energy, sustainability
Dec 9, 2016
Houston, we have power: Space-based solar power could be the final frontier in renewable energy
Posted by Klaus Baldauf in categories: health, solar power, space travel, sustainability
Yes, renewable energy technologies exist. But solar power, the one with arguably the most promise for significant, scalable deployment, is intermittent. Although the sun provides more energy in one hour than humans consume in a year, we can only tap into this power when the sun is shining. At least, that’s been the predominant school of thought.
But since the 1960s, a group of researchers from NASA and the Pentagon have been thinking outside the box — or in this case, outside the atmosphere. Solar power captured in outer space would not be limited by nighttime hours or cloud cover. And — unlike 23 percent of current incoming solar energy — it wouldn’t be absorbed by water vapor, dust and ozone before reaching us. Finally, because space solar is constant, it wouldn’t need to be stored, which can lead to energy losses of up to 50 percent. In other words, taking our solar panels from the ground to the cosmos could be a great deal more efficient. It may also be key to humanity’s survival.
“In countries right now where they’re trying to deal with poverty, water scarcity, poor health, lack of education and political instability — these are all things you need energy in order to fight,” Paul Jaffe, PhD, spacecraft engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, said in a recent TakeApart story. Or, as John C. Mankins, founder of Mankins Space Technology and author of “The Case for Space Based Solar,” told Salon, “In the long run, renewable large-scale energy sources such as space solar power are essential to sustaining industrial civilization, and the long and increasingly high quality of lives that we enjoy.”
Dec 6, 2016
Quantum solar cells could explain why plants are green
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: quantum physics, solar power, sustainability
Quantum exposed the truth about why vegetation is often green.
An attempt to make more efficient solar cells shows that green light might be the least useful hue – maybe that’s why plants reflect it.