Engineering researchers simplify process to make world's tiniest wires

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EDT

Surface tension isn't a very powerful force, but it matters for small things -- water bugs, paint, and, it turns out, nanowires. Here »

Using carbon nanotubes in lithium batteries can dramatically improve energy capacity

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EDT

Batteries might gain a boost in power capacity as a result of a new finding. Researchers found that using carbon nanotubes for one of the battery's electrodes produced a significant increase -- up to tenfold -- in the amount of power it could deliver from a given weight of material, compared to a conventional lithium-ion battery. Such electrodes might find applications in small portable devices, and with further research might also lead to improved batteries for larger, more power-hungry applications. Here »

Nanoparticle scientist speaks on new discoveries

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists are making discoveries on the thermodynamic properties of transition metal oxides such as insulators and superconductors. Here »

Working toward the next battery breakthrough: Scientist brings fresh perspective to the nation's electrical grid

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:00:00 EDT

If battery-making is an art, then University at Buffalo scientist Esther Takeuchi is among its most prolific masters, with more than 140 US patents, all in energy storage. Takeuchi developed the battery that made possible the first implantable cardiac defibrillators, a feat that was recognized last fall with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama. Millions of heart patients worldwide have benefited from the implantable cardiac defibrillators powered by Takeuchi's silver vanadium oxide battery. With funding from the National Institutes of Health, she is developing new cathode materials for improved implantable cardiac defibrillator batteries. Here »

Electric supercar team aims for UK first in lead-up to world record attempt across the Americas

Fri, 28 May 2010 17:00:00 EDT

Students driving an electric supercar are attempting to be the first to drive an all-electric vehicle around the M25 twice on one battery charge, in the lead-up to the team's attempt to cross the Americas in July this year and break a world record. Here »

Scientists home in on lithium battery safety flaws

Mon, 17 May 2010 17:00:00 EDT

Scientists have developed a simple, accurate way of "seeing" chemistry in action inside a lithium-ion battery. Here »

Is there a micro-supercapacitor in your future?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EDT

Researchers have developed a unique new technique for integrating high performance micro-sized supercapacitors into a variety of portable electronic devices through common microfabrication techniques. Featuring high power densities and rapid-fire cycle times, these new supercapacitors have the potential to substantially boost the performance and longevity of portable electric energy storage devices. Here »

Electromobility: Fast-tracking innovation

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Battery systems, chargers, wheel hub motors -- in the cars of the future, what will the components look like, and how will they interact with each other? Researchers are engineering the parts for electric vehicles and testing them on "Frecc0," their demonstration vehicle. Here »

Using neutrons to peer inside a battery designed for hybrid locomotives

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT

GE and Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) are collaborating on research that could help to optimize charging and discharging of high-performance batteries. Initial studies focus on a rechargeable sodium/iron chloride battery designed to power hybrid locomotives. Two instruments at TUM's research neutron source reveal the distribution of chemical substances within the battery during various states of charge. Researchers plan to extend this approach to real-time analysis of charging and discharging cycles, with even greater precision. Here »

Battery boost: Lithium-ion anode uses self-assembled nanocomposite materials to increase capacity

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:00:00 EDT

A new high-performance anode structure based on silicon-carbon nanocomposite materials could significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications from hybrid vehicles to portable electronics. Here »

Significant step toward lightweight batteries

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EDT

Researchers have made significant progress on a technology that could lead to batteries with up to three times the energy density of any battery that currently exists. Here »

Clean snowmobile challenge tests lower-emission, quieter sleds

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Neither sun, nor mud, nor atypically warm March weather in northern Michigan could keep three hardy entries from completing the Endurance Run at the 2010 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Here »

Big power from tiny wires: Carbon nanotubes can produce powerful waves that could be harnessed for new energy systems

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown phenomenon that can cause powerful waves of energy to shoot through minuscule wires known as carbon nanotubes. The discovery could lead to a new way of producing electricity, the researchers say. Here »

Nanotechnology sparks energy storage on paper and cloth

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST

Engineers have manufactured new energy storage devices out of paper and cloth, with a range of potential applications. Their research also has shown that using silicon nanowires to replace carbon anodes in lithium ion batteries can significantly improve their performance. Here »

Electric avenue: Electric cars on a two-way street?

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

Think of it as the end of cars' slacker days: no more sitting idle for hours in parking lots or garages racking up payments, but instead earning their keep by helping store power for the electricity grid. Here »

Silicon-coated nanonets could build a better lithium-ion battery

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

The surface area and conductivity of a lattice-like Nanonet coated with silicon particles proves to be a high-performing anode material for Lithium-ion batteries, researchers report. Here »

Millimeter-scale, energy-harvesting sensor system can operate nearly perpetually

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

A newly developed 9 cubic millimeter solar-powered sensor system is the smallest that can harvest energy from its surroundings to operate nearly perpetually. Here »

Silver nanoparticles may one day be key to devices that keep hearts beating strong and steady

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST

Diamonds and gold may make some hearts flutter on Valentine's Day, but in one laboratory, silver nanoparticles are being designed to do just the opposite. Here »

Battery-less radios developed

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

Scientists report a 2.4GHz/915MHz wake-up receiver which consumes only 51µW power. This record low power achievement opens the door to battery-less or energy-harvesting based radios for a wide range of applications including long-range RFID and wireless sensor nodes for logistics, smart buildings, healthcare etc. Here »

Cars of the future could be powered by their bodywork, thanks to new battery technology

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST

Parts of a car’s bodywork could one day double up as its battery, according to the scientists behind a new project in the UK. Here »

New system provides hybrid electric autos with power to spare

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

An advancement in hybrid electric vehicle technology is providing powerful benefits beyond transportation. Here »

Secure radio signal for central locking

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Remote central locking is among the most convenient aspects of modern motoring. However, transmission of the radio signal that activates the system is not particularly secure, however. A new encryption technique increases security without draining the key’s battery. Here »

Best way to reduce emissions is to make cars smaller

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST

A new study says the best way to reduce emissions in the short term is a 'drastic downscaling of both size and weight' of conventional gasoline and diesel cars. Here »

Smarter control of electric vehicle batteries

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Nanoelectronics technology is improving the way that batteries and motors in electric vehicles are controlled, giving them a longer range on each charge. Here »

New solvent technologies to replace use of harmful toxic acids

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST

Scientists are developing new ways to replace harmful, carcinogenic, toxic acids and electrolytes which are currently used in many commercial metal finishing and energy storage processes. Here »

Lithium-air batteries could displace gasoline in future cars

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

In excess of seven million barrels of gasoline are consumed by vehicles in the United States every day. As scientists race to find environmentally sound solutions to fuel the world's ever-growing transportation needs, battery researchers are exploring the promise of lithium-air battery technology. Here »

Dip ordinary paper into ink infused with nanotubes and nanowires to create an instant battery

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST

Dip an ordinary piece of paper into ink infused with carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires, and it turns into a battery or supercapacitor. Crumple the piece of paper, and it still works. Researchers see many uses for this new way of storing electricity. Here »

A window that washes itself? New nano-material may revolutionize solar panels and batteries, too

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:00:00 EST

Researchers have developed a method to control the atoms and molecules of peptides so that they "grow" to resemble small forests of grass. These "peptide forests" repel dust and water and can also serve as high-density battery capacitors. Here »

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle sets 26-hour flight endurance record

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Naval Research Laboratory's Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle, has flown 26 hours and 1 minute carrying a 5-pound payload, setting another unofficial flight endurance record for a fuel-cell powered flight. Here »

New transparent insulating film could enable energy-efficient displays

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Materials scientists have found a way to transform a chemical long used as an electrical conductor a thin film insulator potentially useful in transistor technology and in devices such as electronic books. Here »

---