Harbin Institute of Technology

Recycled tires could see new life in lithium-ion batteries

Recycled tires could see new life in lithium-ion batteries that provide power to plug-in electric vehicles and store energy produced by wind and solar.

Fly inspires battery free hearing aid

Other researchers have built fly-inspired hearing devices, but the UT Austin engineers are the first to apply piezoelectric materials. These materials turn mechanical pressure into electric signals, or voltage, and allow the device to operate with very little power.

The death of coal and oil boost EVs

When representative of OPEC, Sheik Yamani famously said, "The stone age did not end for lack of stones", it is now clear that the coming decade will see a collapse of coal power and not because coal supplies are running out. The writing is on the wall for oil as well - it will help electric vehicles because it will no longer be true that they use "dirty" electricity in the main.

A smashing new look at nanoribbons

Carbon nanotubes "unzipped" into graphene nanoribbons by a chemical process invented at Rice University are finding use in all kinds of projects, but Rice scientists have now found a chemical-free way to unzip them.

Nanotechnology in water purification

Several nanotechnology enabled water purification concepts, at least at an early stage, have already led to treatment technologies that exceed state-of-the-art performance and also enable new functionalities such as increased permeability, photocatalytic reactivity, and enhanced antibacterial properties.

UCLA develops low-cost, high-mobility semiconductors for OLED displays

A device created by UCLA researchers could lead to a significant leap in the quality of images on smartphones, computer displays, TVs and inkjet printers.

Device could boost image quality for phones, computers and TVs

A device created by UCLA researchers could lead to a significant leap in the quality of images on smartphones, computer displays, TVs and inkjet printers.

Discovery creates a better chance for clean energy research

Physicists have discovered a new thermoelectric material offering high performance at temperatures ranging from room temperature up to 300 degrees Celsius, or about 573 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flexible battery, no lithium required

A Rice University laboratory has flexible, portable and wearable electronics in its sights with the creation of a thin film for energy storage.

Flexible battery, no lithium required

Researchers have developed a flexible material with nanoporous nickel-fluoride electrodes layered around a solid electrolyte to deliver battery-like supercapacitor performance that combines the best qualities of a high-energy battery and a high-powered supercapacitor without the lithium found in commercial batteries today.

Unlocking secrets of new solar material

A new solar material that has the same crystal structure as a mineral first found in the Ural Mountains in 1839 is shooting up the efficiency charts faster than almost anything researchers have seen before—and it is generating optimism that a less expensive way of using sunlight to generate electricity may be in our planet's future.

New tech could lead to night vision contact lenses

An ultrathin light detector that can sense wavelengths our eyes can't see has the potential to put heat vision technology into a contact lens, its University of Michigan developers say.

Antimony nanocrystals for batteries

The hunt is on - for new materials to be used in the next generation of batteries that may one day replace current lithium ion batteries.

3D Printing: A look ahead through 2014

2013 was an outstanding year for 3D printing, with share prices of the listed companies doubling or more, conferences on the subject proliferating, and media attention exploding. So what does the year ahead hold for the industry?

Sharp

Sharp launched its first IGZO TFT LCD mobile in 2012. Since then, it has launched a range of other products on the market using a metal oxide TFT backplane. It has repurposed some of its a-Si TFT plants to manufacture the IGZO TFT backplanes.

Ford Motor Co

Ford Motor Company is one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers. It has made a late but effective entry into pure electric and hybrid cars, gaining market share rapidly.

New solar cell is more efficient, less costly

American innovators still have some cards to play when it comes to squeezing more efficiency and lower costs out of silicon, the workhorse of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules worldwide

Partnership on new all-electric school bus

New all-electric Type A school buses will hit the road in 2014, due to a collaboration between Trans Tech Bus, and Motiv Power Systems.

Brammo

Brammo is an Oregon, USA based electric motorbike manufacturer with high brand awareness in the USA and increasingly more in Europe. The company has kicked off sales in the new segment in 2012. They are planning to design an electric racing car in 2015.