Energy news, September 2020

Researchers develop exciting new polymerization process

By combining low-energy photons to produce high-energy excited states, researchers have developed a novel polymerization process.

Peptide-based nanotubes line up to generate electricity

By aligning them and improving their conductivity, researchers have enhanced the piezoelectric properties of peptide-based nanotubes.

Fast model could quickly lead to better batteries

A novel model for predicting and improving battery performance is 100,000 times faster than existing modeling techniques.

Boundaries no barrier for thermoelectrical materials

A novel optical detection system may have shown that grain boundaries are no barrier for thermoelectrical materials, but they still can't take the strain.

Composites Part C: Open Access – new journal explores innovations across composite material science

Floppy vibrations make for efficient thermoelectric materials

Researchers have uncovered the atomic mechanism that makes tin-based thermoelectric materials incredibly efficient at high temperatures.

Researchers get to know battery particle inside and out

Researchers found that cracking on the surface of an electrode particle corresponded with areas of microscopic cracking deep inside the particle.

New open access journal brings latest developments in carbon materials science to a wide audience

Springing into action with elliptical holes

Adding elliptical holes to elastic materials can enhance their efficiency at converting elastic energy to kinetic energy for extreme velocity movements.

Just add rocksalt for a safe, powerful battery anode

Disordered rocksalt made of lithium, vanadium and oxygen makes a safe, powerful. long-lasting anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

New study detects quantum singularity in cuprate superconductor

By probing the electronic behavior of a superconducting cuprate, researchers have uncovered evidence for quantum critical points.

Novel approach to tracking ions could improve energy storage

By combining computational modeling with experimental data, researchers have developed a novel approach for tracking ions within a 2D material.

Defective thin film makes effective energy-storage material

By introducing isolated defects into a ferroelectric, researchers have managed to turn it into a top-performing energy-storage material.

Silver and carbon combine to produce record-breaking transparent solar cell

By combing organic molecules with silver electrodes, researchers have set a new efficiency record for color-neutral, transparent solar cells.