Simpler, cheaper electrical generator can be made with store-bought tape

With an ability to turn friction into small amounts of electricity, triboelectric generators may one day be used in clothes that turn movement into power, in battery-free brain implants, and a host of other scenarios. Scientists working on cheap and ea… Continue reading Simpler, cheaper electrical generator can be made with store-bought tape

All-perovskite tandem solar cell boasts high efficiency, record voltage

Engineers have developed a new solar cell with a record voltage and (arguably) a record efficiency for its kind. The all-perovskite tandem solar cell uses two layers of perovskite that tap into different wavelengths of light, plus a special surface tre… Continue reading All-perovskite tandem solar cell boasts high efficiency, record voltage

Novel rule-breaking material behaves like “conductive Play-Doh”

Scientists working with an experimental class of materials have made a breakthrough that could shape a new generation of electronic devices. The researchers’ creation is likened to a conductive “Play-Doh” that can be easily shaped, combining two charac… Continue reading Novel rule-breaking material behaves like “conductive Play-Doh”

Insect swarms can generate as much static electricity as a storm cloud

Insects have been known to sense and tap into electric fields, but new research shows that swarms can actually produce atmospheric electric charges. By measuring the extent of this influence, the scientists found that large swarms could produce as much… Continue reading Insect swarms can generate as much static electricity as a storm cloud

Infrared laser charger wirelessly beams power to devices 100 ft away

We’re all used to receiving data wirelessly, but transmitting power over the air has been much trickier. Now Korean engineers have demonstrated a new system that uses infrared lasers to beam power as far as 100 ft (30 m), which could eventually lead to… Continue reading Infrared laser charger wirelessly beams power to devices 100 ft away

First material found to “remember” its own history

Researchers at EPFL have discovered a material that seems to be able to “remember” all of its past encounters with stimuli, such as electrical currents. The compound could come in handy for better data storage and processing.Continue ReadingCategory: M… Continue reading First material found to “remember” its own history

“Gigantic jet” lightning blasts record-breaking bolt upwards into space

While a thunderstorm can put on quite a show for spectators on the ground, the best bits often happen above the clouds. Scientists have now described in detail the most powerful “gigantic jet” of lightning ever observed, which blasted energy equivalent… Continue reading “Gigantic jet” lightning blasts record-breaking bolt upwards into space

Electron whirlpools: Scientists witness electricity behaving like water

Researchers at MIT have observed “electron whirlpools” for the first time. The bizarre behavior arises when electricity flows as a fluid, which could make for more efficient electronics.Continue ReadingCategory: Physics, ScienceTags: Electron Microscop… Continue reading Electron whirlpools: Scientists witness electricity behaving like water

Triple-layer bacterial biobattery produces electricity for weeks

Diversifying our energy sources is a key part of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and one intriguing possibility is to tap into electricity-producing bacteria. Engineers at Binghamton University have now developed a biobattery that contains three… Continue reading Triple-layer bacterial biobattery produces electricity for weeks

Fast-deploying solar/hydrogen nanogrid wheels emergency power off-grid

Michigan energy systems company Sesame Solar announced this week what it calls the world’s first 100-percent renewable mobile nanogrid. Powered by both its wing-like solar panel spread and green hydrogen, the next-generation modular nanogrid gets trans… Continue reading Fast-deploying solar/hydrogen nanogrid wheels emergency power off-grid