National Renewable Energy Laboratory NREL

IDTechEx Energy Harvesting & Storage USA 2013 award winners

The 5th IDTechEx Energy Harvesting & Storage and Internet of Things & Wireless Sensor Networks awards ceremony was held on Wednesday, 20 November, during the opening keynote session of the annual conference that brings together developers, integrators and end-users of these emerging technologies.

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

Opportunities for organic solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells

The Printed Electronics and Energy Harvesting & Storage USA 2013 events bring together leading players who are developing and commercializing the third-generation of photovoltaic technologies, including organic photovoltaics and dye-sensitised solar cells.

Supercapacitors USA 2013

There are just three weeks left until IDTechEx's Supercapacitors USA event in Santa Clara California, on November 20-21.

New device tests for internal short circuit in lithium ion batteries

NREL has developed a device to test one of the most challenging failure mechanisms of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries - a battery internal short circuit.

Solar powered unmanned aircraft continuous flight for over 9 hours

Solar material like that used in the development of the solar Puma AE incorporates a thin, mobile power technology on a flexible substrate that has been independently certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as world-records for both single (28.8%) and dual (30.8%) junction solar cells.

Quest for inexpensive, durable electronics and solar cells

Electronic touch pads that cost just a few dollars and solar cells that cost the same as roof shingles are one step closer to reality today.

Advanced wind monitoring system

The Fishermen's Wind Sentinel is a suite of environmental monitoring sensors which are installed on a buoy platform called the NOMAD.

Printed electronics in East Asia: change of direction

Variously called Printed, Flexible or Organic Electronics, it is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world. It is of vital interest to industries as diverse as consumer goods, healthcare, mobility, electronics, media and architecture.

7th Annual CAFE Electric Aircraft Symposium: First day

This excellent event "7th Electric Aircraft Symposium" in Santa Rosa, USA was acclaimed as the best ever in the series. Over 150 people attended, an eclectic mix from NASA and Siemens to hobbyists, universities and technology startups were there.

Record efficiency for black silicon solar cells

Scientists at Aalto University, Finland and Fraunhofer ISE, Germany report an efficiency of 18.7% for black silicon solar cells, the highest efficiency reported so far for a black silicon solar cell.

Second agreement to advance solar window towards commercialization

Under the terms of the agreement, researchers will additionally work towards optimizing the deposition of various coatings on flexible surfaces; these layers allow for electricity to be generated on surfaces such as see-through and tinted plastics.

Peel and stick solar panels

Stanford researchers have succeeded in developing the world's first peel-and-stick thin-film solar cells.

Advanced wind blade

A project that could fundamentally change the way wind blades are designed, manufactured and installed.

Breakthrough in non-rare-earth electric motor design

UQM Technologies has made a significant breakthrough in the development of non-rare-earth magnet electric motor design as part of the work being done under the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research and Development Grant.

High-efficiency quantum dot solar cells

Research shows newly developed solar powered cells may soon outperform conventional photovoltaic technology.

Nano-technology solar cell achieves 18.2% efficiency

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have produced solar cells using nanotechnology techniques at an efficiency - 18.2% -- that is competitive.

Hybrid delivery vans show nearly 20 percent higher fuel economy

A recent National Renewable Energy Laboratory study shows significant fuel economy benefits of hybrid electric delivery vans compared to similar conventional vans.