October 20/27, 2008
Perspective
"There is no leadership at
the national level and the misinformation that is spread by the
existing energy companies and special interest groups is exceptionally
misleading. On the other side, media hype based on press releases
or other non-refereed reports can lead to unrealistic expectations."
- from Q&A
with Robert Birkmire
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News
RESEARCH
Add the right material to a dye-sensitized solar cell and position
it so that it captures light from the front and back and you can boost
the amount of electricity the cell generates. [more]
RESEARCH
Coat carbon nanotubes with platinum nanoparticles, add water, and
you've got the key component of a microbial fuel cell that generates
six times the power of previous microbial fuel cells. [more]
RESEARCH
Increase the pressure in a microbial fuel cell slightly and you can
significantly boost the power it produces. [more]
RESEARCH
Couple photovoltaic electricity generation with compressed air energy
storage and you've got an on-demand power source that's cheaper than
natural-gas-powered electricity. [more]
RESEARCH
Put up a wind turbine and you not only generate some of your own electricity
but you cut down on the peak demand charges for the electricity you
do get from your utility. [more]
FUNDING
The US Department of Energy has awarded up to $43.1 million to 21
groups for improving geothermal energy systems. [more]
POLICY
The US Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy have released
the National Biofuels Action Plan, an interagency blueprint for boosting
the nation's production and use of biofuels. [more]
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}
Little things -- very little things -- figure prominently in a pair
of items in this issue of ERN. Advances in microbial fuel cells that
involve nanotubes and air pressure move the technology closer to producing
useful amounts electricity. [more]
Features
Q&As
Special Report
Energy
in transition: researchers talk about Obama and our future
Feeds
News  | Blog
E-mail
headlines
Technology Research News
News and views from elsewhere
Earth2Tech
Shai
Agassi: Note to Next President, Better Place for U.S. Would Cost $100B
Xconomy
SiOnyx
Brings “Black Silicon” into the Light; Material Could Upend Solar,
Imaging Industries
Rob Day, Cleantech Investing
Cleantech venture capital: The next six
months
Wall Street Journal
Green Meltdown: Credit Crunch Whacks
Renewable Energy, Too
Technology Review
Renault Bets
on Electric Vehicles
New York Times
Smart
Meters Open Market for Smart Apps
Wired
Solar
Goes From Gardens to Gigabucks
Greentech Media
U.S.
to Attract More Foreign Greentech Investments
Earth2Tech
Konarka
Turns On 1GW Thin-Film Solar Printing Press
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