US Department of Energy

Surprising discovery could lead to better batteries

Scientists have observed how lithium moves inside individual nanoparticles that make up batteries. The finding could help companies develop batteries that charge faster and last longer

llumination from nanobionic plants to replace some electric lighting

Imagine that instead of switching on a lamp when it gets dark, you could read by the light of a glowing plant on your desk.

Switchable solar window

Thermochromic windows capable of converting sunlight into electricity at a high efficiency have been developed.

Solar cell discovery opens a new window to powering tomorrow's cities

Buildings of the future may come equipped with windows that can generate their own electricity, thanks to a finding of a team of researchers.

UK commits £400 million to support zero-emission vehicles

A total of £540 million is being invested in electric cars, including £400 million on building more electric car charging points.

Watching atoms move in hybrid perovskite crystals

A team of researchers has for the first time observed nanoscale changes deep inside hybrid perovskite crystals that could offer new insights into developing low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells.

Sensors printed onto leaves

Engineers have created sensors that can be printed onto plant leaves and reveal when the plants are experiencing a water shortage. This kind of technology could not only save neglected houseplants but, more importantly, give farmers an early warning when their crops are in danger.

Synthetic circuits can harvest light energy

Novel structures made with DNA scaffolds could be used to create solar-powered materials.

UPS to convert diesel delivery trucks in New York City to electric

UPS and NYSERDA announced that new technology will be developed to convert UPS package delivery vehicles from diesel to electric.

Fractal-like concentrating solar power receivers are better

Engineers have developed new fractal-like, concentrating solar power receivers for small- to medium-scale use that are up to 20 percent more effective at absorbing sunlight than current technology.

New quantum dot solar cell world record

Researchers established a new world efficiency record for quantum dot solar cells, at 13.4 percent.

Research yields significant thermoelectric performance

Scientists reported significant advances in the thermoelectric performance of organic semiconductors based on carbon nanotube thin films that could be integrated into fabrics to convert waste heat into electricity or serve as a small power source.

Forget about it: A material that mimics the brain

Inspired by human forgetfulness - how our brains discard unnecessary data to make room for new information - scientists conducted a recent study that combined supercomputer simulation and X-ray characterization of a material that gradually 'forgets.' This could one day be used for advanced bio-inspired computing.

Planar Energy Devices

Now gone bust, Planar Energy was a company developing thio-LISICON electrolytes for solid-state batteries. The company claimed to have developed a high-speed deposition process that could significantly reduce the cost of solid-state electrolyte manufacturing.

Efficient catalyst for key step in artificial photosynthesis

Chemists have designed a new catalyst that speeds up the rate of a key step in "artificial photosynthesis" -- an effort to mimic how plants, algae, and some bacteria harness sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into energy-rich fuels.

Printed meds could reinvent pharmacies, drug research

A new process can print multiple medications onto a single dissolvable strip, microneedle patch or other surface.

The many downsides of FRPs leaves plenty of room for innovation

Nearly all the advocates of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) shy away from talking about the many elephants in the room and there are enough of them that is beyond crowded.

Project connects brain science with electric cars

Technology developed to help neurosurgeons control electric currents during noninvasive brain stimulation could also lead to safer, more efficient batteries for electric cars and solar panels.

ShAPEing the future of magnesium car parts

Magnesium — the lightest of all structural metals — has a lot going for it in the quest to make ever lighter cars and trucks that go farther on a tank of fuel or battery charge.

Vertical axis wind turbines can offer cheaper electricity

A vertical axis wind turbine is a wind turbine design where the generator is vertically oriented in the tower, rather than sitting horizontally on top.