July 14/21, 2008
Perspective
"The public should but probably
doesn't understand how little basic energy science research goes on
in our country -- in fact up until two years ago solar energy was,
at least in government circles, largely ridiculed and written off."
- Craig
Grimes, Penn State
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News
RESEARCH
A new device based on an older solar technology produces inexpensive
solar energy by capturing layers of light and concentrating them sideways.
[more]
RESEARCH
Dye-sensitized solar cells are inexpensive alternatives to silicon
solar cells, but the most efficient versions, which capture as much
as 11.1 percent of sunlight, use volatile organic solvents that require
expensive encapsulation. [more]
FUNDING
Seven research teams in the UK involved in three projects have landed
£19,277,515 (about $38 million) to mimic what plants do every
day -- convert sunlight to fuel. [more]
RESEARCH
Now that engineers are developing floating wind farms to generate
electricity on the open oceans, it's important to know where over
the vasty deep the strongest, most consistent winds blow. [more]
RESEARCH
The most efficient way to use biomass as an energy source is a closed-loop
system that recycles the byproducts of the processes that turn organic
matter like plants and algae into electricity. [more]
LAB NOTE
Bosch Group joins MIT Energy Initiative
International conglomerate the Bosch Group has signed
on to MIT's Energy Initiative, promising $5 million over five
years and support for 10 graduate students. The Bosch Group's participation
in the initiative will focus on materials for electrochemical energy
storage, thermoelectric materials and thin-film solar cells. The initiative's
founding members are BP Technology Ventures Inc. and Eni SpA. Bosch
Group is joining ABB Research Ltd., Robert Bosch LLC, Chevron USA
Inc., Enel Produzione SpA, Ford Motor Company, Fundacio Barcelona
Tecnologia and Schlumberger Technology Corporation as sustaining members.
LAB NOTE
Argonne device tracks plug-in hybrid performance
Argonne National Laboratory has developed a diagnostic
device that monitors plug-in hybrid electric vehicle performance.
The device uses GPS and a network of sensors to collect real-time
data on where and how far a vehicle travels, how the engine and battery
perform, how efficiently the fuel is used and to calculate watt-hours
per mile.
Features
The return of science, the enormous task, the Apollo-like effort required,
and ideas for remaking the nation's energy infrastructure.
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{BlogDate}
Yesterday I met with veteran journalist Bob Buderi, who gave me some
much appreciated advice on navigating the rough waters of online media.
(Check out his latest venture Xconomy.)
While walking back to the Red Line in Cambridge I passed by the Kendall
Cogeneration Station. [more]
Features
Q&As
Special Report
Energy
in transition: researchers talk about Obama and our future
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News and views from elsewhere
The Guardian
Exclusive:
we publish the biofuels report they didn't want you to read
Renewable Energy World
Swiss
Adopt Aggressive Feed Law for Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy World
Raser
Geothermal Unit To Feed Power to Anaheim by October
Wired.com
BMW's
Building an Electric Mini. You Can't Have One.
Reuters
Toyota
to add solar panels to Prius hybrid: Nikkei
new energy
Going for slim
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