New discovery may allow scientists to make fuel from CO2 in the atmosphere (Phys.org) —Excess carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere created by the widespread burning of fossil fuels is the major driving force of global climate change, and researchers the world over are looking for new ways to generate power that leaves a smaller carbon footprint. Now, researchers at the University of Georgia have found a way to transform the carbon dioxide trapped in the atmosphere into useful industrial products. Their discovery may soon lead to the creation of biofuels made directly from the carbon dioxide in the air that is responsible for trapping the sun's rays and raising global temperatures. During the process of photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to transform water and carbon dioxide into sugars that the plants use for energy, much like humans burn calories from food. These sugars can be fermented into fuels like ethanol, but it has proven extraordinarily difficult to efficiently extract the sugars, which are locked away inside the plant's complex cell walls.
Graphene's love affair with water: Water filters allow precise and fast sieving of salts and organic molecules -- ScienceDaily Graphene has proven itself as a wonder material with a vast range of unique properties. Among the least-known marvels of graphene is its strange love affair with water. Graphene is hydrophobic -- it repels water -- but narrow capillaries made from graphene vigorously suck in water allowing its rapid permeation, if the water layer is only one atom thick -- that is, as thin as graphene itself. This bizarre property has attracted intense academic and industrial interest with intent to develop new water filtration and desalination technologies. One-atom-wide graphene capillaries can now be made easily and cheaply by piling layers of graphene oxide -- a derivative of graphene -- on top of each other. Two years ago, University of Manchester researchers discovered that thin membranes made from such laminates were impermeable to all gases and vapours, except for water. Small salts with a size of less than nine Angstroms can flow along but larger ions or molecules are blocked.
Plastic waste burns to give cooking gas | The Hindu A team of researchers from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NIT-C), has developed a technology that converts plastic waste into cooking gas, without causing pollution. The team, led by Lisa Sreejith, associate professor, Department of Chemistry, NIT-C and N. Sitaraman, retired chemistry professor of the institute, told The Hindu that the cost-effective and eco-friendly breakthrough was achieved through a thermochemical decomposition of the shredded waste plastic at an elevated temperature in the absence of oxygen. “As much as 750 ml of gas can be produced from a mere four grams of plastic waste using the technology (750 litre from 4 kg),” said Dr. Unlike in the existing recycling system, no plastic item is rejected in the new method. According to Dr. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has lauded Dr. Dr. “We expect the government to respond positively to this development,” said Dr. According to Dr.
What is graphene? Here’s what you need to know about a material that could be the next silicon Graphene, an emerging material that could change the way electronic components are made and help computing performance continue to grow, is everywhere in the research world these days. This month alone, advancements suggested it could boost internet speeds, serve as a touch sensitive coating and extend the lives of computers. It is stronger than diamond and conducts electricity and heat better than any material ever discovered, and it will likely play an important role in many products and processes in the future. What is graphene? Graphene is made of a single layer of carbon atoms that are bonded together in a repeating pattern of hexagons. Carbon is an incredibly versatile element. These single layers of carbon atoms provide the foundation for other important materials. How was it discovered? Chances are good that you have made graphene many times in your life. Graphene was first studied theoretically in the 1940s. Why is it unusual? What can it be used for? What are the critiques?
What are the different types of renewable energy? Renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important issue in today's world. In addition to the rising cost of fossil fuels and the threat of Climate Change, there has also been positive developments in this field which include improvements in efficiency as well as diminishing prices. All of this has increased the demand for alternative energy and accelerated the transition towards cleaner, more sustainable methods of electrical power. However, it is important to note that are many kinds – biomass, solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal power – and that each has its own share of advantages and drawbacks. Biomass: The most widely used form of renewable energy is biomass. For example, there are clean burning biofuels that are alternatives to oil and gas. Another common biofuel is known as biodiesel, which is produced from oils or fats using a process known as transesterification – where acid molecules are exchanged for alcohol with the help of a catalyst. Solar: Wind Power: Tidal Power:
Graphene light bulb set for shops - BBC News A light bulb made with graphene - said by its UK developers to be the first commercially viable consumer product using the super-strong carbon - is to go on sale later this year. The dimmable bulb contains a filament-shaped LED coated in graphene. It was designed at Manchester University, where the material was discovered. It is said to cut energy use by 10% and last longer owing to its conductivity. The National Graphene Institute at the university was opened this month. The light bulb was developed by a Canadian-financed company called Graphene Lighting - one of whose directors is Prof Colin Bailey, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Manchester. It is expected to be priced lower than some LED bulbs, which can cost about £15 each. Based on traditional light bulb design, the use of graphene allows it to conduct electricity and heat more effectively. Prof Bailey told the BBC: "The graphene light bulb will use less energy.
Types of Alternative Energy The UK Government’s strategy is to lower the national carbon emissions for 80 percent by year 2050 and replace fossil fuels with alternative types of energy. The plan it to utilise a variety of technologies in order to prevent dependence on a single source of energy similarly as we are currently dependent on fossil fuels as well as to ensure a stable and cost-effective energy supply for both the industry and households. In order to achieve this goal, the Government supports development of technologies that utilise alternative types of energy such as: Solar energy The light and heat that are radiated by the Sun are an inexhaustible, clean and inexpensive source of energy that can be used for heating and generation of electricity. Wind power About 10 percent of total electricity in the UK comes from wind farms which are located all over the country including offshore. Geothermal energy It refers to utilisation of thermal energy that is stored or generated under the Earth surface. Wood fuel
Renewable Energy, forms and types of renewable energy There are many forms of renewable energy . Most of these renewable energies depend in one way or another on sunlight. Wind and hydroelectric power are the direct result of differential heating of the Earth's surface which leads to air moving about (wind) and precipitation forming as the air is lifted. Solar energy is the direct conversion of sunlight using panels or collectors. Biomass energy is stored sunlight contained in plants. Solar. Wind Power. Hydroelectric energy. Biomass is the term for energy from plants. Hydrogen and fuel cells. Geothermal power. Other forms of energy. If you think 100% renewable energy will never happen, think again. What are renewable energy sources? These tools and more can help make the transition from non-renewable to renewable and environmentally friendly energy.
BioLite - BioLite Stove Plant Power: Dutch company harvests electricity from living plants to power streetlights, Wi-Fi, and cell phones A Dutch company harnesses electricity from living plants, and then uses it to power cell phone chargers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and now over 300 LED streetlights in two sites in the Netherlands. Plant-e debuted its “Starry Sky” project in November 2014 at an old ammunition site called HAMbrug, near Amsterdam, and plant power is also being used near the company’s headquarters in Wageningen. Many researchers are looking for ways to basically generate electricity from thin air, and this idea is similar. Harvesting energy from growing plants has come a long way since middle school science fair projects featuring clocks run by potatoes. Related: Biophotovoltaic moss tables generates electricity through photosynthesis For the Netherlands streetlight projects, Plant-e’s electricity generation process involves plants growing in two-square-foot plastic containers. Via Yes Magazine Images via Plant-e and Shutterstock