Environment

First-of-its-kind ‘green’ antenna could double efficiency of solar cells

By Stephanie Liverani / September 4, 2015

There might be a new solution in the works for improving solar cell efficiency. Researchers from the University of Connecticut have developed a “unique, ‘green’ antenna that could potentially double the efficiencies of certain kinds of solar cells,” according to a news release from the American Chemical Society.

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Concrete—it builds, it fortifies, it destroys our nation’s coasts?

By April Gocha / September 1, 2015

A new analysis—the first-ever look at artificial coastal infrastructure—shows that 14% of U.S. shorelines have been artificially hardened.

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Vehicle upheaval: Can fuel cells take on the automotive market?

By April Gocha / August 18, 2015

Everything seems to be changing in the automotive world today—cars are getting lighter, smarter, and more efficient than ever before.

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New application method creates scale-up opportunity for diamond-like fuel-saving coating

By Stephanie Liverani / August 12, 2015

With fuel saving and lower emissions in mind, researchers at Fraunhofer Institute have zeroed in on an application method for applying diamond-like coatings to reduce friction on vehicle components—such as engine parts—that they say can be scaled up and easily integrated with existing coating machines.

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Power of materials: These door handles use titanium dioxide to stop the spread of germs

By April Gocha / August 5, 2015

Two new inventions are using the power of materials to help prevent spread of germs across some of the most frequently touched surfaces we encounter every day—door handles.

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New material may fuel advancement, lower cost of ceramic fuel cells

By April Gocha / July 31, 2015

Researchers at Colorado School of Mines have now propelled that continual innovation even further with their latest report on a new ceramic material and production technique that holds big promise for our fuel cell-filled futures.

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Nanocatalyst-coated ceramic filter converts smoke filled air into water vapor and carbon dioxide

By April Gocha / July 16, 2015

Researchers at Korea Institute of Science and Technology have developed a non-smokers dream—a nanocatalyst that alleviates air of carcinogens and particulates from cigarette smoke.

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Sunscreen science: Protect your fun in the sun with advanced materials

By April Gocha / July 1, 2015

You can’t beat the summer sun. Or can you? With new advanced sunscreen molecules, you might be able to enjoy the rays and protect your skin at the same time.

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Can the U.S. say goodbye to fossil fuels forever? Study shows the possibility is within reach

By Stephanie Liverani / June 30, 2015

Engineers at Stanford University have developed what they call a “state-by-state plan to convert U.S. to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050,” and they’ve outlined how this could work in a recent paper.

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Free energy? Bacterial spores help capture invisible power from water evaporation

By April Gocha / June 29, 2015

Scientists at Columbia University are using their research to think differently about sustainable energy generation. And that approach is allowing the team to harness an invisible power source that’s available nearly everywhere—water evaporation.

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