Millions of people around the world heat their homes with charcoal burned on small grills. Now a group of Japanese scientists has developed a biomass charcoal combustion heater with a thermal efficiency of 60-81 percent— a big step up from current biomass stoves, which have an efficiency of 46-53 percent.
The idea that wind turbines can cause health problems isn’t new, but now a fresh crop of complaints is appearing in Japan. Asahi Shimbun reports that over 70 people living near turbines in the country have supposedly fallen sick due to a mysterious “wind turbine disease”.
A team of researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to improve the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries: use carbon-nanotube/metal-oxide arrays as electrode material. Rice’s nanotubes are grown to look and act like coaxial conducting lines used in cables.
Apparently, wave power plus offshore wind power equals something akin to Green Ocean Energy’s Wave Treader. The device is based on the Ocean Treader, a stand-alone wave power machine. According to Green Ocean Energy, its wind/wave power mash-up can generate 500 kW— enough for 125 average homes.
Solar collectors found on butterfly wings are being investigated as a means to improve the efficiency of a type of thin-film solar cells.
An Irish company called Surface Power has launched what it claims is the world’s most efficient solar hot water panel. Certification by testing house TUV Rhineland has shown that the innovative product is up to 131% more efficient in morning and evening time and 76% more efficient at midday than … [continued]
Don’t think you can rise up to the X PRIZE ultracapacitor challenge? Maybe you should go for MIT’s Clean Energy Prize instead. The competition, which is intended for university students, will award $200,000 to “jumpstart a business venture on an emerging clean energy innovation with significant market potential.”
I’ve always thought that we need to deal with problems here on Earth before exploring other planets, and it looks like NASA at least partially agrees with me. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA-N Prime spacecraft lifted off at 2:22 a.m. PST today aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta … [continued]
Spray-on tans, spray-on solar panels…what’s next? Researchers at the Australian National University are working with Spark Solar Australia and Braggone Oy on a three-year project to develop spray-on solar panels that are both cheap and highly efficient.
Insulation may not be as sexy as solar panels or wind turbines, but it’s an important tool in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The Australian Government is stepping up its commitment to the environment by installing ceiling insulation in 2.2 million homes— for free. The Government will also increase … [continued]
