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Secret to Improved Perovskite Solar Cells Revealed by Scientists

A new means of maximizing the efficiency of perovskite solar cells, found in the nanoscale valleys and peaks of the material, has been discovered by scientists at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

5 Jul 2016

New Step Towards Artificial Photosynthesis

Two groups of chemists at the Universities of Basel and Zurich have reproduced an important phase of the natural photosynthesis process using artificial molecules, making the process of harvesting energy from sunlight easier. The international edition of the journal Angewandte Chemie has published the results of the study.

27 Jun 2016

Researchers Discover Unique Method to Improve Electron Transfer in Solar Fuel Applications

A team of researchers from the University of North Carolina located at Chapel Hill and the University of British Columbia have found a unique method to maximize the transfer of electrons in semi-conductors that are used in solar fuel solutions.

21 Jun 2016

Simple Chemical Treatment Could Help Create Hydrogen-Evolution Electrocatalyst

The 2015 movie “The Martian” shows how a stranded astronaut, Matt Damon, attempts to create lifesaving water using the chemistry of rocket fuel, hydrogen and hydrazine, and almost blows himself up. However, if the process is turned around with the help of hydrazine, hydrogen can be produced from water by simply altering the semiconductor’s conductivity. This breakthrough has great potential for electronics and energy applications.

14 Jun 2016

New Aluminum–Cerium Alloys Could Boost Rare Earth Mining

A team of researchers from the Department of Energy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has partnered with Wisconsin-based Eck Industries and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to create aluminum alloys that have easier workability and better tolerance to heat than currently available products.

6 Jun 2016

Production of Hydrogen Peroxide Could Be Decentralized Using Excess Renewable Power

Extra power can be used for the decentralized production of chemicals so as to even out the spikes in power grids caused due to uneven regenerative energy conversion from sun or wind.

31 May 2016

Researchers Record Vaporization Process of Liquids Using SLAC’s Linac Coherent Light Source

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have for the first time developed microscopic movies depicting the vaporization of liquids by an X-ray laser, which is considered to be the brightest in the world.

25 May 2016

UT Dallas Scientist Discover Technique to Improve Battery Capacity

A scientist from UT Dallas has discovered a new method that could make mobile phones and car batteries last five times longer than the present ones.

24 May 2016

Mapping Distribution of Molten Boron Debris Could Help Determine Re-Criticality Risk within Nuclear Reactors

Japanese researchers are a step closer to decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. They have been able to successfully map the distribution of boron compounds in a model control rod, which will help to determine the re-criticality risk within the reactor.

19 May 2016

Fast Ion Conduction in Solid Electrolytes Could Pave Way for Advanced Li-Ion Batteries

Generally, in rechargeable batteries, lithium ions are transported by the electrolyte from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during the discharging process and the ionic flow path reverses during the recharging process.

9 May 2016

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