University of California, Riverside

Funding for Megawatt Truck Charging Along California Freight Corridors

The Electric Power Research Institute and CALSTART have been awarded $13 million from the California Energy Commission to jump start California's high-power charging infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The two organizations will lead a first-of-its-kind collaboration to launch the country's first zero-emission, freight-charging corridor network.

Upcycling Plastic Waste Towards Sustainable Energy Storage

What if you could solve two of Earth's biggest problems in one stroke? Engineers have developed a way to recycle plastic waste, such as soda or water bottles, into a nanomaterial useful for energy storage.

Wearable Detects Parasite Infestations in Chickens

Blood-feeding livestock mites can be detected with wearable sensor technology nicknamed "Fitbits for chickens."

Making Soft Robots Work Harder

Some fear robots might one day take over the world. But before they do that, machines will first have to learn how to walk over uneven surfaces. Researchers are trying to make robots more adaptive and safer for humans to interact with by developing soft robotic legs that respond to surfaces more naturally.

Water resistant and self-healing electronic skin

Inspired by underwater invertebrates such as the jelly fish, researchers have created an electronic skin with similar functionality.

New property in graphene for better solar panels

A new mechanism for ultra-efficient charge and energy flow in graphene, opening up opportunities for developing new types of light-harvesting devices.

Researchers develop graphene-enhanced biophotovoltaic technology

Existing photovoltaic technology is not fully capable of realizing the promise of sustainable solar energy. Commercial and emerging photovoltaic technologies require energy-intensive extracting and manufacturing processes and often require metals like tin that generate social conflict and environmental harm with their mining. Slave and child labor, along with rampant environmental destruction and pollution are widespread in the tin mining industry, which in some places is even controlled by militias to fund wars.

Making fuel cells for a fraction of the cost

Fuel cells have the potential to be a clean and efficient way to run cars, computers, and power stations, but the cost of producing them is limiting their use. That's because a key component of the most common fuel cells is a catalyst made from the precious metal platinum.

Building the safe genes toolkit

DARPA created the Safe Genes program to gain a fundamental understanding of how gene editing technologies function; devise means to safely, responsibly, and predictably harness them for beneficial ends; and address potential health and security concerns related to their accidental or intentional misuse.

New battery coating could improve smart phones and electric vehicles

High performing lithium-ion batteries are a key component of laptops, smart phones, and electric vehicles. Currently, the anodes, or negative charged side of lithium ion batteries, are generally made with graphite or other carbon-based materials.

New technology will cut plug-in hybrid fuel consumption by one third

Engineers have taken inspiration from biological evolution and the energy savings garnered by birds flying in formation to improve the efficiency of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by more than 30 percent.

Self-healing, transparent, highly stretchable material

Scientists have developed a transparent, self-healing, highly stretchable conductive material that can be electrically activated to power artificial muscles and could be used to improve batteries, electronic devices, and robots.

From ancient fossils to future cars

Researchers have developed an inexpensive, energy-efficient way to create silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries from the fossilized remains of single-celled algae called diatoms. The research could lead to the development of ultra-high capacity lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronics.

Graphene nanoflake-based films developed as thermal interface material

Heat dissipation in electronics and optoelectronics is a major obstacle to further technology development. It limits further miniaturisation, power, performance and reliability.

Study shows some 3D printed objects are toxic

Researchers have found parts produced by some commercial 3D printers are toxic to certain fish embryos. Their results have raised questions about how to dispose of parts and waste materials from 3D printers.

Bathing suit cleans the water as you swim

A material created engineers is the key component of a swimsuit that won an international design competition for its ability to clean water as a person swims.