structure – Alternative Energies

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field
material
January 20, 2016
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Neutrons offer guide to getting more out of solid-state lithium-ion batteries

A new study has revealed promising results that could drastically boost the performance of solid-state electrolytes, and could potentially lead to a safer, even more efficient battery. Researchers used neutron diffraction (the VULCAN instrument, SNS beam line 7) to conduct an in-depth study probing the entire structure evolution of doped garnet-type electrolytes during the synthesis process to unravel the mechanism that boosts the lithium-ionic conductivity.

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austin
development
January 19, 2016
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New cathode material creates possibilities for sodium-ion batteries

The inventor of the lithium-ion battery, and his team of researchers, have identified a new cathode material made of the nontoxic and inexpensive mineral eldfellite for sodium-ion batteries.

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current
engineering
January 18, 2016
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X-rays reveal details of plastic solar cell production

Plastic solar cells are light, easy to install, and readily produced using a printer. Nevertheless, the processes that take place on the molecular scale during the production of organic solar cells are not yet entirely clear. Researchers have now managed to observe these processes in real time. Their findings could help to improve the efficiency of organic solar cells.

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assembly
cnms
January 11, 2016
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‘Greener’ way to assemble materials for solar applications

The efficiency of solar cells depends on precise engineering of polymers that assemble into films 1,000 times thinner than a human hair. Today, formation of that polymer assembly requires solvents that can harm the environment, but scientists have found a ‘greener’ way to control the assembly of photovoltaic polymers in water using a surfactant — a detergent-like molecule — as a template.

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carbon
chemistry
January 4, 2016
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New design points a path to the ‘ultimate’ battery

Researchers have successfully demonstrated how several of the problems impeding the practical development of the so-called ‘ultimate’ battery could be overcome.

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compound
engineering
January 2, 2016
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New concepts emerge for generating clean, inexpensive fuel from water

An inexpensive method for generating clean fuel is the modern-day equivalent of the philosopher’s stone. One compelling idea is to use solar energy to split water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen and then harvest the hydrogen for use as fuel. But splitting water efficiently turns out to be not so easy.