US Army

US Army has breakthrough in solar cell research

U.S. Army researchers have developed a tiny photovoltaic solar cell for the conversion of light energy into electrical energy that has resulted in a patent.

Boosting confidence in new manufacturing technologies

DARPA's Open Manufacturing program seeks to build and demonste rapid qualification technologies that comprehensively capture, analyze and control variability in the manufacturing process to predict the properties of resulting products.

For batteries, one material does it all

Engineers have created a battery that is made entirely out of one material, which can both move electricity and store it.

New electrolyte rids batteries of short-circuiting fibres

A new electrolyte for lithium batteries eliminates dendrites while also enabling batteries to be highly efficient and carry a large amount of electric current.

Fabrisonic

Fabrisonic is a small technology-focussed business which has developed Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) technology. It uses sound waves to merge 150-200 micron layers of metal foil without melting. A succession of metal tapes is built into a three-dimensional shape, with periodic machining operations to create the detailed shape.

How to prevent dendrite formation in batteries

Dendrites-deposits that form on electrode surfaces during the charging process-cause the batteries to short circuit, leading to serious safety hazards.

Breakthrough could help extend life of batteries

Scientists are reporting a breakthrough in using very small technology to extend the battery life of some electronic devices.

Army researchers develop batteries that don't corrode

New, lighter batteries are under development for soldiers now, in-house, at the Army Research Laboratory.

FlexTech Alliance announces 3 new development agreements

FlexTech Alliance has announced the awarding of several development agreements in the field of flexible, printed electronics.

Soldiers of the future to self-generate power

A sharp rise in soldier-worn power capabilities has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number, variety and weight of batteries carried by warfighters in the field. This weight prompted researchers to begin developing and evaluating small, lightweight, efficient, on-the-move, portable, energy-harvesting and distribution systems that eliminate the need to carry extra batteries.

Thermoelectric harvesting: Great increase in interest in 2014

Thermoelectric harvesting will be on production hybrid electric on-road vehicles from 2018. It will be commonplace on hybrids in 2020 and almost entirely to charge the battery, or increasingly supercapacitor or supercabattery used for power.

High-temperature thermoelectric generator for U.S. military

The successful demonstration of a 1,000W TEG designed for diesel engine exhaust heat recapture.

Insect-inspired robotic platform in Army exercise

Army researchers are finding they have much to learn from bees hovering near a picnic spread at a park.

FlexTech Alliance requests proposals in flexible, printed electronics

FlexTech Alliance issued a dual-focused Request for Proposals (RFP) for flexible, printed product demonstrators (demos) and a functional electronic print leaflet. FlexTech conducts a two-stage RFP process with pre-proposals due on October 22, 2014 and full proposals due in January 2015.

Electric Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

This article primarily investigates the hybrid and pure electric powertrains and electrics being used or considered for UAVs and the new missions made possible by electrification. UAVs survey military threats but also the melting ice caps and natural disasters. They can carry ordnance but also drop aid and locate disaster survivors and lost climbers and trekkers. Little wonder then that new electric UAVs are announced frequently these days.

Testing of 200 watt high temperature thermoelectric generator

GMZ Energy has announced the successful demonstration of a TEG designed for automotive waste heat recapture.

Imprint Energy completes FlexTech Alliance's printed battery project

FlexTech Alliance, an industry consortium for flexible, printed electronics, has announced the completion of its project with Imprint Energy of Alameda, Calif., for the print manufacturing of ultrathin, flexible, and rechargeable batteries.

Battery small enough to be injected, energetic enough to track salmon

Scientists have created a microbattery that packs twice the energy compared to current microbatteries used to monitor the movements of salmon through rivers in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

Transparent display system could provide heads-up data

Transparent displays have a variety of potential applications — such as the ability to see navigation or dashboard information while looking through the windshield of a car or plane, or to project video onto a window or a pair of eyeglasses.