American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Harvesting energy from electromagnetic waves

Researchers report a novel design for electromagnetic energy harvesting based on the "full absorption concept."

High performance, lightweight supercapacitor electrodes of the future

Researchers have developed a novel supercapacitor electrode based on a hybrid nanostructure made from a hybrid nickel oxide-iron oxide exterior shell and a conductive iron-nickel core.

Breakthrough in OLED technology

A new study from a team of researchers shows that OLEDs made with finely patterned structures can produce bright, low-power light sources, a key step toward making organic lasers.

Electronics you can wrap around your finger

Researchers from South Korea have taken a new step toward more bendable devices by manufacturing a thin film that keeps its useful electric and magnetic properties even when highly curved.

Zinc oxide materials tapped for tiny energy harvesting devices

How the attractive physical features of zinc oxide materials could be more effectively used to tap into abundant mechanical energy sources to power micro devices.

Future batteries: lithium-sulfur with a graphene wrapper

Lithium-sulfur batteries are of great commercial interest because they boast theoretical specific energy densities considerably greater than those of their already-well-established cousin, lithium ion batteries.

Dissolvable silicon circuits and sensors

Electronic devices that dissolve completely in water, leaving behind only harmless end products, are part of a rapidly emerging class of technology pioneered by researchers.

Organic photovoltaic cells of the future

Organic photovoltaic cells show tremendous promise as energy conversion devices, thanks to key attributes such as flexibility and low-cost production.

Research leads to sensor breakthrough

An efficient method of harvesting mechanical energy to power autonomous sensor networks.

New lithium battery created in Japan

A team of researchers at Tohoku University in Japan has created a new type of lithium ion conductor for future batteries that could be the basis for a whole new generation of solid-state batteries.

Nuvera to provide Fincantieri with fuel cell technology

Nuvera Fuel Cells will be working with Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri, on a program to power hi-end marine vessels with advanced fuel cell technology.

Enhancing battery performance

Japanese researchers from a public-private team report an advance in Li-ion battery technology that they describe as a major breakthrough.

Which makes a better solar collector, quantum dot or nanowire

Researchers have turned to computer modeling to help decide which of two competing materials should get its day in the sun as the nanoscale energy-harvesting technology of future solar panels - quantum dots or nanowires.

Boost for energy storage of super capacitors

Researchers have developed a technique to increase the energy storage capabilities of supercapacitors, essential devices for powering high-speed trains, electric cars, and the emergency doors of the Airbus A380.

Exotic alloys for potential energy applications

The search for thermoelectrics, exotic materials that convert heat directly into electricity, has received a boost from researchers at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo, who have found the best way to identify them.

High-efficiency quantum dot solar cells

Research shows newly developed solar powered cells may soon outperform conventional photovoltaic technology.

Self powered monitoring of nuclear reactors

Japan's Fukushima Dai'ichi nuclear disaster that occurred in 2011 as a result of the strongest earthquake on record in the country and the powerful tsunami waves it triggered, underscored the need for a method to monitor the status of nuclear fuel rods that doesn't rely on electrical power.

New ultracapacitor delivers a jolt of energy at a constant voltage

A researcher from the University of West Florida has designed an ultracapacitor that maintains a near steady voltage.

Wearable fabric memristors

Now we see a return to the larger but thin film, titanium dioxide memristors in the form of fibers, the 12-300 nm layers being variously created by thermal or plasma oxidation, RF sputtering or electrochemical deposition with more conventional printing as a route to value engineering the devices in due course.

Single droplet can produce power

A simple, efficient energy harvesting device that uses the motion of a single droplet to generate electrical power.