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Energy

Interdisciplinary Research Centre
 

Researchers quantify the way rivers bend, opening up the possibility for identifying origins of channels on other planets

Whether it's rivers cutting through earth, lava melting through rock, or water slicing through ice, channels all twist and bend in a seemingly similar back-and-forth manner. But a new study has discovered that channels carved by rivers actually have curves distinct to those cut by lava or ice.

Aluminum: A new hero of hydrogen production

Engineers have developed a method to utilize aluminum to improve performance of water electrolysis catalyst.

New study examines how physics students perceive recognition

Experts see peer recognition as important to student success in physics, and a new study gives college-level physics instructors insight into how students perceive the message from their classmates that 'you're good at physics.' Even when women receive similar amounts of recognition from peers as men for excelling in physics classes, they perceive significantly less peer recognition, the researchers found.

A sustainable iron catalyst for water oxidation in renewable energy

A newly developed pentanuclear iron complex can offer an efficient, stable, and cost-effective solution for water oxidation. By electrochemically polymerizing the complex, researchers have obtained a polymer-based catalyst, poly-Fe5-PCz, and achieved water oxidation with up to 99% Faradaic efficiency and exceptional stability, even under rigorous conditions. This breakthrough offers a scalable alternative to rare metal catalysts, advancing hydrogen production and energy storage for renewable energy.

Concrete evidence: Japanese buildings absorb 14% of cement production's carbon footprint

Concrete structures in Japan capture and store about 14% of the CO2 emissions released during cement production, according to a new study. Their findings provide crucial insights for offsetting CO2 emissions from cement production, which is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions.

Single-qubit sensing puts new spin on quantum materials discovery

Working at nanoscale dimensions, billionths of a meter in size, a team of scientists revealed a new way to measure high-speed fluctuations in magnetic materials. Knowledge obtained by these new measurements could be used to advance technologies ranging from traditional computing to the emerging field of quantum computing.

Footprints of deep-sea mining

Mining of polymetallic nodules from the seabed might lead to significant and long-lasting ecological changes -- both in the mined area, where surface sediments and the fauna living in and on it are removed along with the nodules, and on the adjacent seafloor, where the sediment suspended by the mining resettles.

A method to purify proteins with light: Gentler and more efficient than previous procedures

Proteins play a key role in the life sciences -- from basic research and biotechnological applications to the development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. Scientists have developed a method that relies on physics rather than conventional chemistry to obtain the proteins that are needed for this purpose. Using short-wave, UV light invisible to humans, they have succeeded in purifying proteins from cell extracts or cultures. This technique is more efficient and gentler than previous methods.

New discovery could 'revolutionize carbon fiber industry'

A research team has developed a groundbreaking new method of producing carbon fiber while drastically reducing its energy footprint.

The quest for room-temperature superconductors

Theoretical physicists reveal that room-temperature superconductivity is possible within the laws of our Universe, linked to fundamental constants like electron mass and Planck constant. Discovery could revolutionize energy, quantum computing, and medical tech by enabling superconductors to work at ambient conditions. Research explores how varying fundamental constants could alter superconductivity limits, offering a glimpse into the delicate balance of our Universe.

How agave plants survive extreme droughts

Researchers used terahertz spectroscopy and imaging to gain new insights into how agave plants are so remarkably adept at retaining water in extremely dry environments.

Neural network deciphers gravitational waves from merging neutron stars in a second

Binary neutron star mergers emit gravitational waves followed by light. To fully exploit these observations and avoid missing key signals, speed is crucial. An interdisciplinary team of researchers presents a novel machine learning method that can analyze gravitational waves emitted by neutron star collisions almost instantaneously -- even before the merger is fully observed. A neural network processes the data and enables a fast search for visible light and other electromagnetic signals emitted during the collisions. This new method could be instrumental in preparing the field for the next generation of observatories.

For better quantum sensing, go with the flow

Scientists encased nanodiamonds in tiny moving droplets of water to improve quantum sensing. The new technique lets researchers detect trace amounts of certain ions and molecules, and could someday find applications in environmental monitoring, medicine, bioengineering, and more.

Cold atoms on a chip

Researchers are working to move cold atom quantum experiments and applications from the laboratory tabletop to chip-based systems.

Study shines headlights on consumer driverless vehicle safety deficiencies

Researchers have demonstrated that multicolored stickers applied to stop or speed limit signs on the roadside can 'confuse' self-driving vehicles, causing unpredictable and possibly hazardous operations.

Using computer science to save the bees

Researchers have created a system to help beekeepers monitor and analyze the health of their beehives and take corrective actions to prevent colony collapse -- when a majority of the worker bees abandon the colony and its queen. Beehives use thermoregulation to ensure the hive temperature stays between 33 and 36 degrees Celsius, about 91 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, bees might cluster to create insulation when it's cold or fan their wings when it's hot. But when beehives experience external stressors, such as pesticides or unexpected weather events, they lose the ability to regulate the hive temperature.

Researchers unveil neuromorphic exposure control system to improve machine vision in extreme lighting environments

A research team has recently developed a groundbreaking neuromorphic exposure control (NEC) system that revolutionizes machine vision under extreme lighting variations. This biologically inspired system mimics human peripheral vision to achieve unprecedented speed and robustness in dynamic perception environments.

Scientists unravel the spiraling secrets of magnetic materials for next-generation electronics

Engineers have developed a new computational approach to accurately model and predict the properties of a class of magnetic molecules called chiral helimagnets. Their work could accelerate the discovery of new materials for spintronics technologies.

Chemistry: Triple bond formed between boron and carbon for the first time

Researchers are opening up new horizons in chemistry: They present the world's first triple bond between the atoms boron and carbon.

Breakthrough in clean energy: Palladium nanosheets pave way for affordable hydrogen

Hydrogen energy is widely recognized as a sustainable source for the future, but its large-scale production still relies on expensive and scarce platinum-based catalysts. In order to address this challenge, researchers have developed Bis(diimino)palladium coordination nanosheets (PdDI), a novel two-dimensional electrocatalyst that effectively facilitates the hydrogen evolution reactions while minimizing the use of precious metals like platinum, paving the way for affordable hydrogen production.