Using luminescence to break the solar cell efficiency record

By Damir Beciri
One Comment26 April 2012

yablonovitch-solar-cell-1Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, came across a relatively simple solution based on a mathematical connection between absorption and emission of light that could lead to improvement of flat-plate solar cell efficiency. Although their concept is counterintuitive, the researchers managed to demonstrate that solar cells which are able to emit light more efficiently… »

Green architecture – El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center

By Damir Beciri
24 April 2012

el-cerrito-recycling-and-environmental-resource-center-1We can all reduce our impact on nature by recycling, but why shouldn’t we make recycling centers more sustainable themselves? The City of El Cerrito held a ribbon cutting celebration for the new El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center on Earth Day, Sunday April 22, 2012. The new facility is aiming to be certified… »

Battery 500 Project – IBM’s lithium-air battery development

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments22 April 2012

ibm-battery-500IBM Research started the Battery 500 Project to develop lithium-air battery technology that could be used to power a family-sized electric car for approximately 500 miles (800 km) on a single charge back in 2009. The project has recently got additional support from Asahi Kasei and Central Glass – two companies with decades of experience… »

Clean World Partners anaerobic digestion system

By Damir Beciri
21 April 2012

cwp-bio-refineryRuihong Zhang, a UC Davis professor of biological and agricultural engineering, has been working on her anaerobic digester technology for the past decade, bringing it from the laboratory to the pilot stage in 2006, and finally introducing it as first commercially available, high-solid anaerobic digestion system that is being commercialized by a Sacramento-based startup named… »

NIST mini-sensor measures magnetic activity in human brain

By Damir Beciri
19 April 2012

nist-atom-based-magnetic-sensorNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed a miniature atom-based magnetic sensor that is capable to measure human brain activity at slightly less sensitivity compared to the “gold standard” for such experiments. On the other hand, it does have better portability and it costs less, and it could be used for biomedical applications such… »

Using 3D printing technology to restore China’s artifacts

By Damir Beciri
18 April 2012

chinese-artifact-1In our previous articles we wrote about various 3D printers, whose range of application ranges from printing living tissues, to printing prototypes and chocolate. Funded by the Chinese Government, the designers from the Loughborough University are using the latest 3D digital technologies to restore the former glory of the Palace Museum in Beijing – a… »

New catalyst turns C-H bonds to C-Si bonds at a high rate

By Damir Beciri
One Comment17 April 2012

watson-group-1A team of researchers from the University of Delaware (UD) have reported their findings about a new chemical reaction that uses palladium as a catalyst in a process where carbon-hydrogen bonds are converted to carbon-silicon bonds. The process could lead to development of new materials, and it has a huge potential in development and manufacture… »

Green architecture – Nature Inn at Bald Eagle

By Damir Beciri
16 April 2012

nature-inn-at-bald-eagle-1Nestled within the natural beauty of Bald Eagle State Park, in the very center of the state, the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle combines the comfortable amenities of an inviting bed and breakfast with sweeping views and door-step access to year-round land and water activities. The LEED Gold certified project provides opportunities for visitors who… »