Molecular engineering for more efficient solar cells
22 January, 2016 by Adam FloranceThe goal of creating weather-resistant, highly efficient photovoltaic cells is two steps closer, thanks to research by two independent teams of Australian and Swiss scientists.
Efficient energy generation from gravity
09 December, 2015Architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars has developed a method to generate free energy in a sustainable way. The patent-pending technique, which sees energy released by perpetually unbalancing a weight, offers an alternative to solar and wind technology.
National Geosequestration Laboratory to boost CCS research
24 July, 2015Ian Macfarlane has opened the National Geosequestration Laboratory, a $48.4 million facility which is set to play a major role in advancing research for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in Australia.
CSIRO to commercialise safflower oil technology
13 July, 2015A worldwide licence agreement will see CSIRO commercialise GO Resources' technology for the production of super-high oleic safflower oil (SHOSO) — a plant-sourced alternative to petroleum-based raw materials and traditional sources of oleic acid (an industrially significant fatty acid).
Clean tech lab to make products "benign by design"
11 September, 2014 by Lauren DavisIn November 2013, Flinders University officially opened its Clean Technology Laboratory - a $1.1 million initiative to research and develop sustainable manufacturing methods.
Generating electricity from the flow of cars
10 December, 2013Mexican entrepreneurs have developed a system capable of using vehicular flow to generate electric energy. This development has the potentiality to produce sufficient electricity to power up a household through a device that 'catches' the force of the moving cars.
Converting magnetic energy to electric power
10 September, 2013InventorOne-The Andrew Abolafia Co has discovered that there are large amounts of intrinsic energy stored in certain types of permanent magnets. The company has now invented a device to extract that energy and convert it to electric power in a practical and cost-effective manner.
Monash develops compact supercapacitors with energy storage similar to conventional batteries
05 August, 2013Next-generation energy storage is now a step closer with Monash University researchers developing an engineering first - a graphene-based device that is compact, yet lasts as long as a conventional battery.
You are what you earn: chemical body burden reflects socioeconomic status
02 August, 2013Using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a research team analysed possible links between a person’s socioeconomic status and the prevalence of chemicals in their body.
Biofuel production from Australian algae
25 July, 2013Native species of algae have been identified as potential candidates for the development of cheap, efficient and commercially viable alternative fuels.
Weeing in space
19 July, 2013When Alan Shepard, the first American to fly in space (5 May 1961) was forced to wee in his spacesuit, his urine short-circuited his electronic biosensors. Eight hours of launch delays had not been factored into his 15-minute spaceflight and there was no provision for him to urinate once kitted out in his spacesuit.
Milestone achieved in bio-based acrylic acid process
12 July, 2013In August 2012, BASF, Cargill and Novozymes announced their joint agreement to develop a process for the conversion of renewable raw materials into a 100% bio-based acrylic acid. Yesterday, they reached an important milestone.
Cheap antifreeze materials may lead to low-cost solar energy
05 July, 2013A process combining some comparatively cheap materials and the same antifreeze that keeps an automobile radiator from freezing in cold weather may be the key to making solar cells that cost less and avoid toxic compounds.
Making hydrogenation greener
02 July, 2013Instead of relying on heavy metals as catalysts, researchers have discovered a way to use iron which will make the process of hydrogenation both more environmentally friendly and less expensive.
Transistors without semiconductors - the death of silicon
01 July, 2013For decades, electronic devices have been getting smaller, and smaller, and smaller. It’s now possible - even routine - to place millions of transistors on a single silicon chip. But transistors based on semiconductors can only get so small.
