DOE

Developing chromium capture technology prevents poisoning of solid oxide fuel cells

By April Gocha / February 2, 2016

Researchers at the University of Connecticut are working on a solution to fuel cell degradation by developing a capture technique that can grab chromium within a fuel cell, preventing it from reaching and poisoning the cell’s cathode.

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Thinking outside the windmill: Innovative tree-like structures turn vibrations into energy

By Stephanie Liverani / February 2, 2016

A project at Ohio State University is testing a new tool that resembles a tree-like structure for harvesting energy that uses vibrations from wind, traffic on a bridge, and even seismic activity to generate power.

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Better together: Perovskites paired with silicon could create higher-efficiency solar cells

By Stephanie Liverani / January 19, 2016

Researchers at the University of Oxford in England say perovskites are the class of materials that will change the solar cell game not by themselves, but when teamed up with our reliable standby material, silicon.

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Ceramics and glass business news of the week

By April Gocha / December 4, 2015

UK announces new manufacturing hubs, Rochester and Raytheon developing next-gen infrared detectors, and more ceramics and glass business news of the week for December 4, 2015.

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Iowa State University engineers put wind turbine towers made from precast concrete to the test

By Stephanie Liverani / November 18, 2015

After almost a year of research and development, engineers at Iowa State University are putting their taller concrete wind turbine towers to the test with plans to revolutionize how we harness wind power in the U.S.

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Sandia’s falling particle receiver drops ceramics like they’re hot, because they are

By April Gocha / July 10, 2015

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratory have mounted a new falling ceramic particle receiver at the lab’s thermal test facility to measure the utility of ceramic particles to efficiently collect and store solar energy.

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Better together—Boosting American clean energy manufacturing through pairing national labs and industry

By Jessica McMathis / May 4, 2015

The Department of Energy, like the rest of us, wants U.S. clean energy manufacturing to be more competitive. It’s why the DOE has launched a $2-million Technologist in Residence pilot designed to increase competitiveness and allow our national labs to make a greater commercial impact through strengthened lab-industry partnerships.

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DOE reinforces commitment to lighter, more efficient automobiles with $259M Alcoa loan

By Jessica McMathis / April 13, 2015

The Obama administration hopes to achieve more efficient and affordable vehicles through a conditional commitment to Alcoa for a $259-million loan—the first issued under the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program.

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Budget 2016 breakdown: Who gets what, and how much

By Jessica McMathis / February 14, 2015

When it comes to budget time, every one is a winner—that is, until they’re not. For now, that means big wins for science and technology in President Barack Obama’s proposed $2.63-trillion Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / February 11, 2015

Silicene transistors are a first, lightweight steel is just as strong, a new synchrotron shines bright, and other materials stories that may be of interest for February 11, 2015.

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