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    Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Breakthrough Solar cell captures CO2 and Sunlight, produces burnable Fuel

    July 29, 2016, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Simulated sunlight powers a solar cell that converts atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into syngas. Credit: University of Illinois at Chicago/Jenny Fontaine

    Simulated sunlight powers a solar cell that converts atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into syngas. Credit: University of Illinois at Chicago/Jenny Fontaine

    1,000-fold improved chemistry leads to ‘artificial leaf’ that makes Syngas. A provisional patent application has been filed by the by University of Illinois researchers. Unlike conventional solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity that must be stored in heavy batteries, the new device essentially does the work of plants, converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel, solving 2 crucial problems at once. A solar farm of such “artificial leaves” could remove significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and produce energy-dense fuel efficiently.

    “The new solar cell is not photovoltaic – it’s photosynthetic,” says Amin ...

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    New Material could Advance Superconductivity

    July 28, 2016, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    At center, in green, is the new three-atom hydrogen 'chain.' It is surrounded by several 'normal' two-atom molecules of hydrogen, also in green. The new chain configuration appears in the new material NaH7, which was produced under high pressure and high temperature conditions. The new material could change the superconductivity landscape and be useful for hydrogen storage in hydrogen fuel cells. Credit: Image courtesy Duck Young Kim

    At center, in green, is the new three-atom hydrogen ‘chain.’ It is surrounded by several ‘normal’ two-atom molecules of hydrogen, also in green. The new chain configuration appears in the new material NaH7, which was produced under high pressure and high temperature conditions. The new material could change the superconductivity landscape and be useful for hydrogen storage in hydrogen fuel cells. Credit: Image courtesy Duck Young Kim

    Scientists have looked for different ways to force hydrogen into a metallic state for decades. A metallic state of hydrogen is a holy grail for materials science because it could be used for superconductors...

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    New Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

    July 27, 2016, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Physics

    Structural comparison of penlandite with hydrogenases.

    Structural comparison of penlandite with hydrogenases. (a) Crystal structure of Ni4.5Fe4.5S8. The nickel and iron sites (brown) share the same positions within the crystal and are bridged by sulfur (yellow). (b) Active site of the [FeNi]-hydrogenase (PDB: 4U9H) as well as (c) [FeFe]-hydrogenase (X=NH, PDB: 1HFE).

    Mineral pentlandite works just as efficient as expensive platinum electrodes commonly used today. In contrast to platinum, pentlandite is affordable and found frequently on Earth. In addition to platinum, there are numerous other substances that can catalyse the reaction of water to hydrogen and oxygen and do not contain any precious metals. Among such compounds are the so-called metal chalcogenides...

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    Watering Solar Cells makes them Grow in Power

    July 27, 2016, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Mr. Zafer Hawash setting up the hanging mercury drop electrode system for conductivity measurement. Credit: Image courtesy of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University - OIST

    Mr. Zafer Hawash setting up the hanging mercury drop electrode system for conductivity measurement. Credit: Image courtesy of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University – OIST

    Researchers have clarified the relationship between air exposure and enhanced electric proprieties in perovskite solar cells. Perovskite solar cells are the rising star in the photovoltaic landscape. Since their invention, <10 years ago, their efficiency has doubled twice and it is now over 22% – an astonishing result in the renewable energy sector. Taking the name ‘perovskite’ from the light-harvesting layer that characterizes them, these solar cells are lighter, cheaper, and more flexible than the traditional crystalline silicon-based cells.

    Perovskite solar cells are usually exposed to ambient...

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