PC-Aero

Novel thin film photovoltaic cell technology

EnSol AS has patented a novel, prototype thin film photovoltaic cell design based on nanocrystal technology.

NSF-funded project aims to grab more sun for solar cells

University of Oregon-led project with Oregon State and University of Illinois will involve a three-year push.

Energy harvesting car structure

Advanced Composites Group Ltd, part of the Composites Division of Umeco plc, is engaged in a €3.4 million project with scientists to develop a new composite material which could revolutionise car design and manufacturing.

Development of an energy harvesting film for textiles

Researchers at the University of Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) are developing technology that may enable people to power MP3 players and other devices through their clothes and the carpets they walk on.

Enthusiasm for first land, water and air electric vehicle event

BAE Systems has just agreed to speak at IDTechEx event "Future of Electric Vehicles" in San Jose December 7-8.

The future of electric aircraft

It can only fly for 15 minutes but it is a breakthrough all the same. Improved batteries have finally made a manned electric helicopter a reality.

First night flight ever by a solar plane

For more than 26 hours, André Borschberg expertly piloted the aircraft with its 64 meter wingspan. The plane was up in the air for the whole day, then through the entire night, flying solely on solar energy.

Solar powered unmanned aircraft sets new flight records

QinetiQ's Zephyr, a solar powered high-altitude long endurance unmanned aircraft, has completed two weeks of non-stop flight above a US Army range in Arizona.

Germany catching up in electric vehicles

Germany is the strongest trading nation in Europe with the broadest and deepest automotive activity. However, the strategy of the German government and its automotive industry has been deeply flawed.

Electric Vehicles but not as we know them

The increasing variety of applications of electric vehicle technology.

Pure electric manned aircraft: Ukraine, Europe

In previous articles in EVR we have described the new electric stunt plane from EADS in France and the production pure electric sport plane from in China. Here we wind the clock back a little to show how the early work on pure electric aircraft is spawning many other very different aircraft, a common factor being the use of lightweight lithium polymer batteries that need no metal enclosure.

First night flight by a solar plane

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA, with André Borschberg at its controls, has successfully completed the first night flight by a solar plane landing at 09:00 on the 8th July.

Washington State University create super battery

Using super-high pressures similar to those found deep in the Earth or on a giant planet, Washington State University researchers have created a compact, never-before-seen material capable of storing vast amounts of energy.

Solar powered boats

Worldwide, boat builders are gearing towards conquering the seas with solar powered vessels.

All electric manned aircraft now a reality in China

In 2009, Yuneec International of China demonstrated, in China and the USA, its new e430, the world's first commercially produced electric aircraft.

All electric manned aircraft now a reality in France

The world's first four-engine electric aerobatic plane will be unveiled at the Green Aviation Show in France this year

Electric Vehicles in Germany- part one

Does the German government subsidise at the right point?

Development of super batteries

Engineers at Nottingham University are developing a new generation of super batteries that will collect, store and, when called upon, quickly release electricity generated by renewables.

Enhancing the power of batteries

MIT team finds that using carbon nanotubes in a lithium battery can dramatically improve its energy capacity

Lithium batteries on Steroids at MIT

MIT researchers report this month that they have found a way to produce a tenfold increase in the power delivery ("power density") of lithium ion batteries.