US Department of Energy

Potential for capturing waste heat via nanotubes

A finely tuned carbon nanotube thin film has the potential to act as a thermoelectric power generator that captures and uses waste heat.

3D printing enables new generation of heat exchangers

Researchers have used 3D printing to prototype one of the most important enabling technologies in a building—the heat exchanger.

What's Trending in Printed Electronics

From many different angles, the printed electronics sector is gaining commercial momentum. In this article, IDTechEx explores some of the top trends in the industry.

Nanocrystal self-assembly sheds its secrets

The secret to a long-hidden magic trick behind the self-assembly of nanocrystal structures is starting to be revealed.

New chemistries found for liquid batteries

Calcium, an abundant and inexpensive element, can form the basis for both the negative electrode layer and the molten salt that forms the middle layer of the three-layer battery.

New method could unleash solar power potential

Measurement and data analysis techniques developed at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory could provide new insight into performance-robbing flaws in crystalline structures, ultimately improving the performance of solar cells.

New fuel cell design powered by graphene-wrapped nanocrystals

Hydrogen is the lightest and most plentiful element on Earth and in our universe. So it shouldn't be a big surprise that scientists are pursuing hydrogen as a clean, carbon-free, virtually limitless energy source for cars and for a range of other uses, from portable generators to telecommunications towers—with water as the only byproduct of combustion.

LG Display, Jabil, NASA: Cornerstones at IDTechEx Wearable Europe

Europe's largest event on Wearable Technology, with over 225 speakers and 170 exhibitors, taking place in Berlin on April 27-28 will feature opening presentations highlighting the latest progress with wearable technology.

LG Display, Jabil, NASA: Cornerstones at Printed Electronics Europe

Europe's largest event on Printed Electronics, with over 225 speakers and 170 exhibitors, taking place in Berlin on April 27-28 will feature opening presentations highlighting the latest progress with printed and flexible electronics.

Flexible, printed and thin film batteries:A new era for energy storage

The battery market has suddenly become alive again in recent years. On the one hand, batteries are assuming new form factors, becoming ultra-thin, flexible, rollable, stretchable, etc. On the other hand, manufacturing are scrambling to offer large batteries aimed at addressing the large-sized electric vehicle and grid applications.

Key improvement made in solar cell voltage technology

Researchers improved the maximum voltage available from a cadmium telluride solar cell, overcoming a practical limit that has been pursued for six decades and is key to improving efficiency.

Highlights of the 7th Battery Japan Expo

IDTechEx visited the 7th Battery Japan in Tokyo, which is an event focusing mainly on rechargeable batteries. In this article IDTechEx will show some innovations and strategic plans announced by big companies.

New form of electron-beam imaging

The MIDI-STEM technique could prove particularly useful for directly viewing nanoscale objects with a mixture of heavy and light materials, such as some battery and energy-harvesting materials, that are otherwise difficult to view together at atomic resolution.

First Solar achieves another cell conversion efficiency world record

First Solar Inc has announced it has established yet another world record for cadmium-telluride photovoltaic research cell conversion efficiency, achieving 22.1 percent efficiency.

Graphene leans on glass to advance electronics

Despite being heralded as a breakthrough "wonder material," graphene has been slow to leap into commercial and industrial products and processes.

X-rays reveal details of plastic solar cell production

Plastic solar cells are light, easy to install, and readily produced using a printer. Nevertheless, the processes that take place on the molecular scale during the production of organic solar cells are not yet entirely clear.

SheerWind selected by cleantech accelerator

A cost-effective, high-performance alternative to conventional wind technology, by capturing, concentrating, accelerating, and harvesting wind power in a funnel system.

New chip fabrication approach

Researchers report the first chip-fabrication technique that enables significantly different materials to be deposited in the same layer.

Seeing the big picture in photosynthetic light harvesting

To understand the photosynthetic light-harvesting that takes place inside the chloroplast of a leaf, you can't just study the activity of a single antenna protein.

What new wearable sensors can reveal from perspiration

Researchers say this device is the first fully integrated electronic system that can provide continuous, non-invasive monitoring of multiple biochemicals in sweat.