More advances in biofuel research
Although it still remains to be seen how much difference second and third gen biofuels can make, research continues with some interesting advances and ideas.
Using tree seeds as biofuel
Enzymes create ethanol from ag waste
Nanoparticles make steam from icy water
US researchers have developed nanoparticles to convert solar energy directly into steam that can be used for water purification, electricity generation and sterilisation
Rice University: 19 November 2012
Want to know more about solar thermal technology
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And more CSIRO
First all-carbon solar cell
PhysOrg: 31 October 2012
Large-scale production of biofuels made from algae poses sustainability concerns
PsyOrg: 24 October 2012
GM microbe capable of efficient biofuel production
By engineering the metabolic process of a specific bacterium, scientists have boosted its ability to produce the highly efficient fuel, butanol.
PhysOrg: 23 October 2012
Can printed power to light the world’s darkness?
The latest flexible solar cells based on thin plastics could herald a new generation of ultra-low-cost lighting for poor communities in remote areas.
Ecos magazine: June 2012
Nano-structures to realise hydrogen’s energy potential
Hydrogen can be released and reabsorbed from a promising storage material, overcoming a major hurdle to its use as an alternative fuel source.
UNSW: 15 August 2012
Ancient effect harnessed to produce electricity from waste heat
A pyroelectric nanogenerator could harvest the enormous amounts of energy wasted as heat each year to produce electricity.
PhysOrg. 13 June 2012
Artificial leaf’ hits development hurdle
The company founded to commercialize the solar hydrogen device goes back to drawing board.
Nature News: 23 May 2012
A glass already half-full for nano-based water treatments
Clean drinking water is in short supply for most of the world’s population, but nanotechnology can go a long way to ensuring no one goes thirsty.