Energy
press releases.

Energy13 Jan 2026

Research on the behavioral mechanisms of rural distributed photovoltaic development: A view of prosumer perspective

As global energy transitions accelerate, distributed PV systems have become a cornerstone of rural energy transformation in China, shifting rural households from passive energy consumers to active prosumers. However, low household electricity demand, limited grid capacity, and complex stakeholder interactions hinder widespread adoption. To address these challenges, researchers Wenbing Zhou and Songlin Tang from the School of Economics at Shandong Technology and Business University developed a multi-agent dynamic game model. The model incorporates four core stakeholders: village organizations, PV enterprises, grid companies, and rural households, analyzing their ...

Read the release

Energy13 Jan 2026

Breakthrough in parallel Cartesian grid generation: Dynamic partition weight strategy resolves load imbalance

Automatic mesh generation, recognized as the “Holy Grail” of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), was highlighted as a critical objective in the NASA CFD Vision 2030 study. Adaptive Cartesian grid generation has attracted significant interest due to its high level of automation and low manual intervention. However, its broad use in multicore parallel environments has been hindered by significant load imbalance. Traditional parallel techniques distribute grid cells evenly after each adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) cycle, ...

Read the release

Energy13 Jan 2026

Hanbat National University researchers reveal smart transparent woods that block UV and save energy

Environmentally friendly buildings are highly attractive for sustainable development and efficient energy consumption. Recently, scientists have made significant strides towards the development of energy-efficient smart windows—with features such as optical modulation, high transparency, low thermal conductivity, and ultraviolet (UV) blocking and heat shielding capabilities—to replace traditional glass windows. The smart windows are a lucrative technology to protect household items as well as human health from the adverse effects of UV radiation. In a recent breakthrough, a team of researchers from the Republic of Korea, led by Professor ...

Read the release

Energy13 Jan 2026

Electric vehicles could catch on in Africa sooner than expected

The number of vehicles in Africa is expected to double between now and 2050 – faster than on any other continent. The question is not whether mobility will increase, but how. A new study led by researchers at ETH Zurich and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, in collaboration with African partners from Makerere University, University of Port Harcourt and Stellenbosch University, shows that electric vehicles, combined with solar-powered off-grid charging systems, could be economically competitive in many African countries well before 2040. “Many models have assumed that combustion engine vehicles will continue to dominate in Africa through ...

Read the release

Energy12 Jan 2026

Paulson Family Foundation makes an additional $19 million donation to Hebrew University to fund a new building for electrical engineering. Together with its previous gift brings the total donation to

The Paulson Family Foundation announced an additional $19 million donation to Hebrew University. Together with the foundation's previous donation of $27 million, this brings its total support to $46 million. The donation will be used for expansion of a state-of-the-art research and teaching complex dedicated to STEM disciplines critical to Israel's high-tech future. The combined gifts represent one of the largest donations ever received by the Hebrew University, and represent a significant investment in Israeli higher education and innovation. Both donations are designated for the expansion of a cutting-edge complex on the Edmond J. Safra Campus in Givat Ram, ...

Read the release

Energy12 Jan 2026

Canada–Estonia partnership advances community-centered clean energy

A new international partnership between institutes in Canada and Estonia is accelerating community-based clean energy transformation in the European Union, with benefits for island communities abroad and across Canada. The ACET–Estonian Islands Community Energy Partnership unites the University of Victoria (UVic)-led Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative with the Estonian Islands Energy Agency (EISEA) to co-design and deliver applied clean energy research that responds directly to local priorities. By ...

Read the release

Energy9 Jan 2026

Crystallographic engineering enables fast low‑temperature ion transport of TiNb2O7 for cold‑region lithium‑ion batteries

As fast-charging lithium-ion batteries race toward sub-zero markets, the anode bottleneck—graphite plating risk and Li4Ti5O12 capacity ceiling—intensifies. Now, researchers from Harbin Institute of Technology, led by Prof. Yan Zhang and Prof. Shuaifeng Lou, unveil an Sb/Nb co-doped TiNb2O7 (TNO) anode that unlocks 140 mAh g-1 at 20 C and 500 stable cycles at −30 °C. Published in Nano-Micro Letters, the work delivers a practical pouch cell delivering 1.14 Ah at 17 C with 93.8 % retention ...

Read the release

Energy9 Jan 2026

Ultrafast sulfur redox dynamics enabled by a PPy@N‑TiO2 Z‑scheme heterojunction photoelectrode for photo‑assisted lithium–sulfur batteries

While lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) promise 2600 Wh kg⁻¹, the sluggish liquid-solid conversion of polysulfides keeps practical capacities far below theory. Now, researchers at Northwestern Polytechnical University, led by Prof. Yibo He, report a free-standing PPy@N-TiO2/Carbon-Cloth photocathode that harvests sunlight to co-drive sulfur redox, delivering 1 653 mAh g-1 (98.7 % of theory) and 333 mAh g-1 after 5 h of pure photo-charging. Published in Nano-Micro Letters, the work realizes dual-mode energy harvesting in a single cell. Why Photo-Assisted Strategy Matters Polysulfide ...

Read the release

Energy8 Jan 2026

JBNU researchers propose hierarchical porous copper nanosheet-based triboelectric nanogenerators

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) single-crystalline metal nanosheets have emerged as a promising next-generation platform for self-powered electronics. However, their potential for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs)—a promising energy-harvesting technology—remains largely untapped, mainly due to their low current output and limited durability. In an innovative breakthrough, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Tae-Wook Kim from the Department of Flexible and Printable Electronics, Jeonbuk National University, Republic of Korea, has redesigned the internal structure of 2D metal nanosheets to overcome the existing ...

Read the release

Energy7 Jan 2026

This self-powered eye tracker harnesses energy from blinking and is as comfortable as everyday glasses

Assistive devices that enable those who can no longer move their bodies to control wheelchairs or communicate by moving only their eyes function by using eye-tracking technologies, but these technologies often have limitations due to their size and weight. Reporting in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports Physical Science on January 7, researchers developed a lightweight, self-powered eye-tracking system that runs off the energy generated through the friction between the eyelids and eyes while blinking. “We’ve developed a self-powered eye-tracking system that harvests energy from ...

Read the release

Energy6 Jan 2026

A JBNU–KIMS collaborative study on a cost-effective alloy matches superalloys for power plants and energy infrastructure

The emergence of carbon-neutral energy systems such as high-temperature electrolysis, solar thermal power plants, small modular reactors, and hydrogen- and ammonia-based processes has necessitated the development of novel structural materials that exhibit outstanding corrosion resistance and mechanical properties even at high temperatures and under harsh environments. Notably, traditional austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) fail in these conditions. Addressing this technological gap, materials science engineers have come up with Ni- and Fe-based ...

Read the release

Energy23 Dec 2025

KIER successfully develops Korea-made “calibration thermoelectric module” for measuring thermoelectric device performance

A “standard reference thermoelectric module (SRTEM)*” for objectively measuring thermoelectric module performance has been developed in Korea for the first time. A research team led by Dr. Sang Hyun Park at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER; President Yi, Chang-Keun) developed the world’s second standard reference thermoelectric module, following Japan, and improved its performance by more than 20% compared with existing modules, demonstrating the excellence of Korea’s homegrown technology. * SRTEM (Standard Reference Thermoelectric Module): A reference standard used to check the status ...

Read the release

Energy22 Dec 2025

Thin-film lithium niobate-based detector: recent advances and perspectives

In the context of the continuous development of high-speed optical communication, on-chip optical information processing is regarded as the core of next-generation computing architectures. Integrated photonics, as the cornerstone of this transformation, will strongly drive the advent of the all-optical computing era. Among various photonic integration platforms, lithium niobate (LiNbO₃, LN) is hailed as the "optical silicon" due to its unique nonlinear optical properties. However, traditional LN waveguides are limited by low refractive index contrast, weak optical field confinement, and large device size, making it difficult to achieve high integration and limiting further applications. ...

Read the release

Energy19 Dec 2025

Researchers develop new system for high-energy-density, long-life, multi-electron transfer bromine-based flow batteries

Bromine-based flow batteries operate through the redox reaction between bromide ions and elemental bromine, offering advantages such as abundant resources, high redox potential, and good solubility. However, the substantial bromine generated during the charging process can corrode battery components, shorten cycle life, and increase system costs. Although traditional bromine complexing agents can alleviate corrosion to some extent, they often induce phase separation, compromising electrolyte homogeneity and adding complexity to the system. In ...

Read the release

Energy17 Dec 2025

Unveiling how sodium-ion batteries can charge faster than lithium-ion ones

The worldwide push for sustainability requires better, more durable batteries to support renewable energy systems and our ubiquitous electronic devices. While lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the go-to solution, future calls for alternatives built on materials more widely available than lithium. Because sodium is abundant and available at low-cost, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a leading candidate for replacing LIBs while still meeting global energy demands. The key to SIBs’ remarkable performance lies partly in the material used at the negative electrode called hard carbon (HC). This low crystalline, porous type of carbon can store large amounts ...

Read the release

Energy16 Dec 2025

Synergistic interface engineering in Cu-Zn-Ce catalysts for efficient CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

The excessive emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) leads to environmental problems such as global warming, and its catalytic conversion into high value-added chemicals and fuels has become a research hotspot. Methanol (CH3OH), as a saturated monohydrate, has excellent properties such as high energy density and high octane number, making it an ideal carrier for "green hydrogen". In addition, CH3OH, as an extremely important basic chemical raw material, is widely used in the synthesis of a series of important industrial chemicals and fuels. The hydrogenation ...

Read the release

Energy15 Dec 2025

Eight SwRI hydrogen projects funded by ENERGYWERX

SAN ANTONIO — December 15, 2025 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has received $1.75 million in funding from the ENERGYWERX program to support a set of hydrogen-related projects. The eight projects focus on testing components for the hydrogen industry to improve energy infrastructure and support the use of this clean-burning fuel. The ENERGYWERX program strives to increase cooperative research activities between the DOE and nonprofits, private companies, utilities, localities and other organizations by accelerating the development of clean energy technologies and ...

Read the release

Energy15 Dec 2025

Raising strong yeast as a petroleum substitute

As fossil fuels rise in cost and green initiatives gain traction, alternative methods for producing useful compounds using microorganisms have the potential to become sustainable, environmentally friendly technologies. One such process involves the common bread yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), to produce 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), an organic compound often used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. However, this yeast has a low tolerance for 2,3-BDO under high concentrations, which leads to a decline in its production ability and hinders the mass commercialization ...

Read the release

Energy10 Dec 2025

Danforth Plant Science Center to lead multi-disciplinary research to enhance stress resilience in bioenergy sorghum

ST. LOUIS, MO., December 10, 2025 - Andrea Eveland, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, will lead a multi-institutional project to deepen the understanding of sorghum, a versatile bioenergy crop, and its response to environmental challenges. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program supports the three-year $2.5 million project for Genomics-Enabled Understanding and Advancing Knowledge on Plant Gene Function. Tailoring crop productivity to variable growing environments, including resilience to and recovery from weather episodes such as flash droughts, is critical ...

Read the release

Energy10 Dec 2025

An old jeweler’s trick could unlock next-generation nuclear clocks

Last year, a UCLA-led team accomplished something scientists have been trying to do for 50 years. They made radioactive thorium nuclei absorb and emit photons like electrons in an atom do. This achievement was the realization of a dream they first proposed in 2008 and is expected to usher in a new era of high-precision timekeeping, with a dramatic impact on navigation. It could also lead to new scientific discoveries that rewrite some of the fundamental constants of nature. But there’s a catch. The isotope of thorium they need, thorium-229, can only ...

Read the release

Energy10 Dec 2025

Integrated piezoelectric vibration and in situ force sensing for low-trauma tissue penetration

Minimally invasive tissue penetration techniques are increasingly demanded in biomedical applications such as neural probe implantation, ophthalmic surgery, and single-cell puncture. These procedures require highly precise penetration of biological membranes with minimal tissue damage, often relying on real-time force feedback to control insertion forces. Traditional methods typically use sharp micro-tools or robotic systems, which can lead to rapid insertion speeds, increasing tissue damage and inflammation risks. Additionally, the heterogeneous nature of biological tissues complicates the ability to adjust to varying mechanical properties. ...

Read the release

Energy10 Dec 2025

Achieving anti-thermal-quenching in Tb3+-doped glass scintillators via dual-channel thermally enhanced energy transfer

In the fields of radiation detection and X-ray imaging, oil exploration poses more stringent and specific requirements for performance of scintillators. Scintillators have to be operated at temperature higher than 200 ℃, and sometimes they are used in high humidity environment. However, most of existing commercial scintillators, such as Bi4Ge3O12 and CsI:Tl, exhibit inferior thermal stability, which hinders their application in complex environment. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to develop new scintillator materials ...

Read the release

Energy10 Dec 2025

Magnetically actuated soft electrodes for multisite bioelectrical monitoring of ex vivo tissues

Ex vivo cultured organoids, tissue slices, and isolated organs are essential models for studying disease mechanisms and evaluating drug responses. Real-time, multisite electrophysiological monitoring is critical for capturing their dynamic behavior. However, conventional microelectrode arrays are limited in dynamic environments due to rigid structures, fixed electrode layouts, and cable constraints. Advances in soft, stretchable electronics offer solutions, but most devices lack active repositioning capabilities. “Magnetically actuated soft robots ...

Read the release

Energy10 Dec 2025

Heavy energy drink intake may pose serious stroke risk, doctors warn

Downing several strong energy drinks every day may pose a serious stroke risk, doctors have warned in the journal BMJ Case Reports, after treating an otherwise fit and healthy man in his 50s with a daily 8-can habit and exceedingly high blood pressure. The findings prompt the authors to call for tighter regulation of the sales and advertising of these drinks, particularly given their popularity among young people. The man in question had a stroke in his thalamus—the part of the brain involved in sensory perception and movement. His symptoms included left-sided ...

Read the release

Energy8 Dec 2025

Illinois research uncovers harvest and nutrient strategies to boost bioenergy profits

URBANA, Ill. -- To meet ambitious U.S. Department of Energy targets for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), production of purpose-grown energy crops must ramp up significantly. Although researchers have made substantial progress in understanding the management and conversion of these crops, key knowledge gaps hold the industry back. Now, two new studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign help fill in the blanks for Miscanthus and switchgrass management. “We have come a long way in our understanding of purpose-grown energy crops for SAF, but we still ...

Read the release