energy efficiency

From ancient artifact to future security—how study of old glasses informs design of new ones

By April Gocha / April 22, 2016

The May issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring new stories on how ancient artifacts inform design of nuclear storage glasses, mechanical behavior of thin coatings on glass, new enamels for kitchen appliances, and an extended abstract from this year’s Kreidl Award winner—is now available online.

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GE’s new LED light bulb is designed to sync with your circadian rhythms

By April Gocha / April 5, 2016

Since GE announced its exclusivity with LED lights, it’s perhaps no surprise that the company is now rolling out spiffy new LED products. But the newest one I came across has me intrigued—LED lights that are better in sync with your circadian rhythms.

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Latest self-cleaning technologies mean a lower-maintenance, ‘greener’ future

By Stephanie Liverani / March 28, 2016

The latest innovations in self-cleaning surfaces, materials, and technologies focus on low-maintenance, energy-efficient solutions for many industries with major scale-up potential.

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Keep your cool—New glass-based paint could take the heat off outdoor metal structures

By Stephanie Liverani / August 18, 2015

A team of scientists from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (Laurel, Md.) might have the solution for keeping metal outdoor structures cool in the hot sun—a new glass-based paint.

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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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The spin on state-of-the-art ceramics—coming to a turbine near you

By Stephanie Liverani / August 4, 2015

Jim Vartuli, manager of GE’s engineered ceramic laboratory, describes in a new video how GE is revolutionizing jet engines using ceramic matrix composites.

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Smarter materials for windows lead to innovations in energy efficiency

By Stephanie Liverani / July 24, 2015

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are developing materials that allow windows to let light pass through without transferring heat and, on the flip side, to block out light while allowing heat transmission.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / June 16, 2015

Record solar cell performance, prehistoric amber informs glass theory, and other materials stories that may be of interest for June 16, 2015.

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Metamaterial silicon polarizers may provide brighter displays with less energy drain

By April Gocha / December 4, 2014

Researchers at the University of Utah have designed a new metamaterial polarizer that redirects, rather than blocks, incident light waves—a development that has potential to make future devices much more energy-efficient.

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Porous glass flakes added to plaster help control humidity, heating and cooling costs

By Jessica McMathis / September 19, 2014

Research out of the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC (Würzburg, Germany) shows that the addition of manufactured porous glass to paint or plaster can help your home better regulate the indoor climate—particularly, humidity.

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