Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology and Xi’an Jiaotong University developed a new ceramic interlayer—a butter-like mixture of glass-ceramic nanoparticles within an ionic liquid—that provides adequately high ionic conductivity, high thermal stability, and low interfacial resistance to potentially make solid-state batteries a commercial reality.
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The idea of harnessing photons rather than electricity to produce heat has gained increasing attention in recent years. In a new research brief, ACerS Fellow Akio Ikesue and colleagues describe a photonic heating system based on transparent yttria alumina garnet ceramics.
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In their search for places to install PV infrastructure, solar companies have taken several creative approaches, including floating solar panels on reservoirs and co-locating them with crops. Space-based solar power is another concept studied since the 1970s, and this May, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory launched the first orbital experiment with space-based solar power.
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Fuel cells are an alternative to batteries to power electric vehicles. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells in particular are of high interest, and researchers in Japan have now developed a new glass material that could serve as an improved electrolyte in these cells.
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Ceramic nanocontainers, known for their potential as drug carriers in medical applications, are being investigated in a variety of other fields as well. In two recent JACerS articles, George Kordas investigates the potential of ceramic nanocontainers in energy and anticorrosion applications.
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Lithium-sulfur batteries could enable the next generation of high-energy-density rechargeable batteries—but only if lithium deposition is stabilized. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found adding elemental tellurium to the cathode may solve this challenge.
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The May 2020 issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring transparent thin films for PV modules and glass science and art—is now available online. Plus—Kreidl Award abstract
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In a recent review article, nanoengineers at the University of California, San Diego outline a research roadmap detailing four remaining challenges to address before all-solid-state batteries can reach their commercial potential.
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In 2019, three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work developing lithium-ion batteries. A recent review article by ACerS Fellow Arumugam Manthiram traces the work done by John Goodenough’s group on oxide cathodes.
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Did you remember to wear green for St. Patrick’s Day? We’re celebrating the day by highlighting some “green” energy research at The Pennsylvania State University on a stable and high-energy battery made possible thanks to a self-heating ability.
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