US Department of Energy

Engineering phase changes in nanoparticle arrays

Scientists have just taken a big step toward the goal of engineering dynamic nanomaterials whose structure and associated properties can be switched on demand.

Moth's eye and lotus leaf inspire solar panel coating

A moth's eye and lotus leaf were the inspirations for an antireflective water-repelling, or superhydrophobic, glass coating that holds significant potential for solar panels.

Highlights of EVS28 Seoul South Korea May 2015

The EVS series of events travels around the world and this year it was the turn of South Korea. Over 2000 people, 60% from overseas, attended the event spanning two half days and two full days with about 180 lectures and about 180 poster sessions.

SolidEnergy

SolidEnergy is a battery start up from MIT, which is presenting a solid state battery based on a very thin anode that results in very high energy density. The founders of the company are Dr. Quichao Hu and Professor Donald Sadoway.

Alta Devices

Alta Device is working on thin film GaAs solar cells. The company was founded in 2008 by professors Harry Atwater from Cal Tech and Eli Yablonovitch from Berkeley. In August of 2014, Alta Devices was acquired by Hanergy Holdings, Inc.

Better battery imaging paves way for renewable energy future

In a move that could improve the energy storage of everything from portable electronics to electric microgrids, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Brookhaven National Laboratory researchers have developed a novel X-ray imaging technique to visualize and study the electrochemical reactions in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries containing a new type of material, iron fluoride.

Cheaper magnetic material for cars, wind turbines

Scientists have created a new magnetic alloy that is an alternative to traditional rare-earth permanent magnets.

Goodbye, range anxiety?

n the first study of its kind, scientists quantitatively show that electric vehicles will meet the daily travel needs of drivers longer than commonly assumed.

Beyond the lithium ion, significant step toward better battery

Researchers have taken a significant step toward the development of a battery that could outperform the lithium-ion technology.

Electrolyte genome could be battery game-changer

A new breakthrough battery—one that has significantly higher energy, lasts longer, and is cheaper and safer—will likely be impossible without a new material discovery.

How recharging leaves behind microscopic debris inside batteries

An eruption of lithium at the tip of a battery's electrode, cracks in the electrode's body, and a coat forming on the electrode's surface reveal how recharging a battery many times leads to its demise.

New material could boost batteries' power, help power plants

A team of researchers has developed a material that acts as a superhighway for ions. The material could make batteries more powerful, change how gaseous fuel is turned into liquid fuel and help power plants burn coal and natural gas more efficiently.

Battery bounce test often bounces off target

Researchers conclude that the bounces increase because the zinc oxide forms tiny bridges within the zinc material, which decreases the mechanical damping of the battery.

New kind of 'tandem' solar cell developed

Researchers have developed a new kind of solar cell that combines two different layers of sunlight-absorbing material in order to harvest a broader range of the sun's energy.

Organic photovoltaics experiments showcase HPC 'superfacility' concept

A collaborative effort linking the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with supercomputing resources at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center and Oak Ridge National Laboratory via the Energy Sciences Network is yielding exciting results in organic photovoltaics research that could transform the way researchers use these facilities and improve scientific productivity in the process.

Bacteria can use magnetic particles to create a 'natural battery'

New research shows bacteria can use tiny magnetic particles to effectively create a 'natural battery.'

One step closer to artificial photosynthesis and solar fuels

Scientists, inspired by a chemical process found in leaves, have developed an electrically conductive film that could help pave the way for devices capable of harnessing sunlight to split water into hydrogen fuel.

Discovery could yield more efficient portable electronics, solar cells

By figuring out how to precisely order the molecules that make up what scientists call organic glass, chemists have set the stage for more efficient and sturdier portable electronic devices and possibly a new generation of solar cells based on organic materials.

XALT Energy to supply batteries for electric buses in China

XALT Energy has signed a global exclusive agreement with Hybrid Kinetic Group of China for the supply of its Lithium Titanate batteries from its manufacturing facilities in Midland for all-electric buses in China.

Waggle: An open platform for intelligent attentive sensors

The newly developed Waggle platform outfits researchers with a next-generation data collection experience.