US Department of Energy

Surprising chemistry inside a potential breakthrough battery

Researchers have helped prove that a new prototype is powered by a surprising chemical reaction that may solve the new battery's biggest drawback.

Researchers use neutrons to gain insight into battery inefficiency

Scientists are improving the lifetimes of rechargeable batteries that run on lithium, a small atom that can pack tightly into graphite anode materials.

Success with low-cost nickel-based catalyst

The two most promising current candidates for cars are fuel cells, which convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to electricity, and rechargeable batteries.

New efficiency record with dual-junction solar cell

Scientists have jointly set a new world record for converting non-concentrated (1-sun) sunlight into electricity using a dual-junction III-V/Si solar cell.

2D Islands in graphene hold promise for future device fabrication

In what could prove to be a significant advance in the fabrication of graphene-based nanodevices, a team of Berkeley Lab researchers has discovered a new mechanism for assembling two-dimensional (2D) molecular "islands" that could be used to modify graphene at the nanometer scale.

Acoustic technique reveals structural info in nanoscale materials

Understanding where and how phase transitions occur is critical to developing new generations of the materials used in high-performance batteries, sensors, energy-harvesting devices, medical diagnostic equipment and other applications.

Scientists create atomically thin metallic boron

A team of scientists has, for the first time, created a two-dimensional sheet of boron, a material known as borophene.

New hybrid electrolyte for solid-state lithium batteries

Scientists have developed a novel electrolyte for use in solid-state lithium batteries that overcomes many of the problems that plague other solid electrolytes while also showing signs of being compatible with next-generation cathodes.

Domain size and purity key to efficient organic solar cells

As solar energy becomes more popular, the drive to create more efficient, less expensive solar cells increases.

Sensors that could harvest clean energy from traffic on Texas roads

Researchers have been awarded a $1.32 million contract from the Texas Department of Transportation to design and develop a system to harvest energy created by the movement of vehicles along the state's roadways and convert it into low-cost renewable electric power.

Grant to develop EV battery materials manufacturing technology

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy recently selected 24 projects from a competitive field to receive a nearly $55 million investment in "vehicle technologies that will strengthen the U.S. clean energy economy."

Solid Power

Established in 2013 as a spin-out company from the University of Colorado Boulder, Solid Power has been working on commercializing the company's next-generation all solid-state rechargeable batteries.

Greater presence of thin flexible battery companies at IDTechEx Show!

People showed great interest in the thin flexible batteries during IDTechEx Show!, which took place from 18th to 19th November in Santa Clara USA. Here is a summary of some interesting work that was on display.

InvenTek

InvenTek Corp., a company founded in 1999, invented large format Rolled-Ribbon lithium-ion battery cell technology with improved thermal property and superior power density.

Coming to a monitor near you: a defect-free, molecule-thick film

An emerging class of atomically thin materials known as monolayer semiconductors has generated a great deal of buzz in the world of materials science.

ORNL, Solid Power exclusive license for lithium-sulfur battery tech

The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Solid Power Inc have signed an exclusive agreement licensing lithium-sulfur materials for next-generation batteries.

Printing & vacuum deposition: Competing for market share

Flexible electronic devices are starting to experience significant proliferation, with more and more devices with innovative form factors being brought to market, from small components such as disposable sensors that have been in the market for quite some time now, all the way to new flexible smart phones currently being demonstrated by consumer electronics giants like Samsung and LG.

Storage advance may boost solar thermal energy potential

Engineers have identified a new approach for the storage of concentrated solar thermal energy, to reduce its cost and make it more practical for wider use.

Chemist aims to put his nanohoops into future devices

Nanohoops, can be made using both carbon and other atoms. Because they efficiently absorb and distribute energy, they may be useful in solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes or as new sensors or probes for medicine.