skip to content

Energy

Interdisciplinary Research Centre
 

A Big Data approach for battery electrolytes

A new article puts artificial intelligence and machine learning on the task of finding new, powerful electrolytes for designing next-generation batteries for electric vehicles, phones, laptops and grid-scale energy storage. The paper outlines a new framework for finding molecules that maximize three components that make an ideal battery electrolyte -- ionic conductivity, oxidative stability and Coulombic efficiency.

Text-to-video AI blossoms with new metamorphic video capabilities

Computer scientists have developed a new AI text-to-video model that learns real-world physics knowledge from time-lapse videos.

New theory of gravity brings long-sought Theory of Everything a crucial step closer

Researchers have developed a new quantum theory of gravity which describes gravity in a way that's compatible with the Standard Model of particle physics, opening the door to an improved understanding of how the universe began.

A snapshot of relativistic motion: Special relativity made visible

In 1959, physicists James Terrell and Roger Penrose (Nobel laureate in 2020) independently concluded that fast-moving objects should appear rotated. However, this effect has never been demonstrated. Now, scientists have succeeded for the first time in reproducing the effect using laser pulses and precision cameras -- at an effective speed of light of 2 meters per second.

Privacy-aware building automation

Researchers developed a framework to enable decentralized artificial intelligence-based building automation with a focus on privacy. The system enables AI-powered devices like cameras and interfaces to cooperate directly, using a new form of device-to-device communication. In doing so, it eliminates the need for central servers and thus the need for centralized data retention, often seen as a potential security weak point and risk to private data.

BESSY II: Insight into ultrafast spin processes with femtoslicing

An international team has succeeded at BESSY II to elucidate how ultrafast spin-polarized current pulses can be characterized by measuring the ultrafast demagnetization in a magnetic layer system within the first hundreds of femtoseconds. The findings are useful for the development of spintronic devices that enable faster and more energy-efficient information processing and storage.

Are at-home water tests worth it? New study shows quality can vary widely

For the cautious -- or simply curious -- homeowner, an at-home water testing kit may seem reassuring. But there are high levels of variability between test kits' abilities to detect potential contaminants in water, a new study has found.

'Cold' manufacturing approach to make next-gen batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have been a staple in device manufacturing for years, but the liquid electrolytes they rely on to function are quite unstable, leading to fire hazards and safety concerns. Now, researchers are pursuing a reliable alternative energy storage solution for use in laptops, phones and electric vehicles: solid-state electrolytes (SSEs).

The future of brain activity monitoring may look like a strand of hair

Researchers have created a hairlike device for long-term, non-invasive monitoring of the brain's electrical activity. The lightweight and flexible electrode attaches directly to the scalp and delivers stable, high-quality electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.

Dust in the system -- How Saharan storms threaten Europe's solar power future

New research reveals how Saharan dust impacts solar energy generation in Europe. Dust from North Africa reduces photovoltaic (PV) power output by scattering sunlight, absorbing irradiance, and promoting cloud formation. The study, based on field data from 46 dust events between 2019 and 2023, highlights the difficulty of predicting PV performance during these events. Conventional forecasting tools often fail, so the team suggests integrating real-time dust load data and aerosol-cloud coupling into models for better solar energy scheduling and preparedness.

Manipulating microbubbles to control fluids

A watched pot never boils, goes the old saying, but many of us have at least kept an eye on the pot, waiting for the bubbling to start. It's satisfying to finally see the rolling boil, behind which complex physical mechanisms are at play. When this happens, the bubbles that form continuously change in shape and size. These dynamic movements influence the surrounding fluid flow, thereby affecting the efficiency of heat transfer from the heat source to the water. Manipulating small amounts of liquid at high speeds and frequencies is essential for processing large numbers of samples in medical and chemical fields, such as in cell sorting. Microbubble vibrations can create flows and sound waves, aiding in liquid manipulation. However, the collective behavior and interactions of multiple bubbles is poorly understood, so their applications have been limited.

Using principles of swarm intelligence, study compared platforms that allow brainstorming among large groups

A next-generation technology developed in 2023, conversational swarm intelligence (CSI), combines the principles of ASI with the power of large language models.

Model governing deformation of materials under stress challenged

Scientists have expanded on a longstanding model governing the mechanics behind slip banding, a process that produces strain marks in metals under compression, gaining a new understanding of the behavior of advanced materials critical to energy systems, space exploration and nuclear applications.

Electricity-generating bacteria may power future innovations

A team has discovered how certain bacteria breathe by generating electricity, using a natural process that pushes electrons into their surroundings instead of breathing on oxygen. The findings could enable new developments in clean energy and industrial biotechnology.

Artificial sense of touch, improved

While exploring a digitally represented object through artificially created sense of touch, brain-computer interface users described the warm fur of a purring cat, the smooth rigid surface of a door key and cool roundness of an apple.

New Bayesian method enables rapid detection of quantum dot charge states

A research team has developed a new technique to rapidly and accurately determine the charge state of electrons confined in semiconductor quantum dots -- fundamental components of quantum computing systems. The method is based on Bayesian inference, a statistical framework that estimates the most likely state of a system using observed data.

Researchers develop a novel vote-based model for more accurate hand-held object pose estimation

Estimating the pose of hand-held objects is a critical and challenging problem in robotics and computer vision. While leveraging multi-modal RGB and depth data is a promising solution, existing approaches still face challenges due to hand-induced occlusions and multimodal data fusion. In a new study, researchers developed a novel deep learning framework that addresses these issues by introducing a novel vote-based fusion module and a hand-aware pose estimation module.

Shelters at bus stops intended to provide relief from heat can actually result in higher temperatures

Some public transit shelter designs can actually do more harm than good when it comes to shielding from summer temperatures, according to a new study.

Conference held in honour of Richard Fentiman

Latest news from Faculty of Law - Thu, 01/05/2025 - 16:16

Scholars, judges and practitioners from around the world met in the Faculty on 4 April at a conference to pay tribute to the scholarship of Professor Richard Fentiman. From comparative legal method and foreign law to injunctions, choice-of-law and jurisdiction questions, as well as managing risk in cross-border litigation, each panel sparked lively debate and deeper insights into current issues in private international law and international commercial litigation. Horatia Muir Watt, Alex Mills, Haris Pampoukis, Ralph Michaels, Stephen Pitel, Henry Forbes Smith KC, Soterios Loizou, Jonathan Harris KC, Mary Keyes, Min Kyung Kim, Nikitas Hatzimihail, Campbell McLachlan KC, Corinne Widmer, Arnaud Nuyts, Linda Silberman, William Day, Sir Adam Johnson, and Andrej Savin all shared thought-provoking perspectives prompted by Richard’s work on the enduring challenges and emerging directions in the subject. The event was attended by many of Richard’s colleagues from academia and practice, many of whom were his former students. The panels were moderated by Marie Louise Kinsler KC, Louise Merrett, Pippa Rogerson, Faidon Varesis and Hayk Kupelyants. The day culminated in a celebratory dinner in the Old Hall of Queens’ College. The event was supported by the Faculty’s Centre for Corporate and Commercial Law (3CL), Herbert Smith Freehills, 2TG, and Redress Solutions.

How can we optimize solid-state batteries? Try asking AI

Researchers have developed a data-driven AI framework that gives scientists a head start by suggesting ideal candidate materials.