Archive for Energy
October 6, 2008 at 4:28 pm · Filed under Energy
A week ago, the USGS updated its official estimates of U.S. geothermal energy resources for the first time in over 30 years. During the past three decades, we’ve made significant progress on technology to exploit geothermal energy in areas where there’s plenty of heat in the ground, but no natural hydrogeologic plumbing system to help us exploit it. In other words: We are much better at cracking rocks underground than we used to be.
Assuming that this type of rock-cracking technology (aka “enhanced” geothermal systems) continues to work out as well as expected, the new study estimates that the equivalent of 50% of the nation’s current electricity supply is just sitting around in the ground in the Western U.S. That’s less than the 150% of current electricity that we could get if we blanketed the windiest 6% of the nation in windmills (source), but it is still nothing to sniff […]
Original post by Maria Brumm none@example.com
July 23, 2008 at 11:43 am · Filed under Material, Energy
A research team led by professor Tomiki Ikeda at the Tokyo Institute of Technology has developed what is being called the world’s first plastic motor powered solely and directly by light.
Unlike solar-powered motors that use photovoltaic cells to convert light to electric power (and which require wires and batteries to deliver and store the power), this first-of-a-kind motor converts light directly into mechanical energy, thanks to a belt made from a special elastomer whose molecular structure expands or contracts when illuminated, depending on the wavelength of light.
Ikeda began working on the light-activated motor in 2003, after discovering that a plastic compound containing azobenzene would contract when exposed to ultraviolet light and resume its original shape when exposed to visible light. Since then, in addition to working on improving the material’s shape-shifting properties, Ikeda’s team has been looking at ways to use the material in a motor that converts light […]
Original post by Edo
July 3, 2008 at 2:02 pm · Filed under Transportation, Energy
On July 2, 108 days after departing from Hawaii on the world’s longest voyage in a wave-powered boat, 69-year-old Japanese sailor Ken’ichi Horie was spotted in his boat off the coast of Japan. The solo sailor of the wave-powered Suntory Mermaid II was seen about 50 kilometers (31 mi.) offshore south of the Cape of Muroto (Kochi prefecture), heading northeast toward his final destination, the Cape of Hinomisaki in the Kii Channel (Wakayama prefecture), where he is expected to arrive on the evening of July 3.
The 6,400-kilometer (nearly 4,000 mi) journey, which appears to have taken 5 to 6 weeks longer than originally planned, can ordinarily be completed by a diesel-powered boat in about 10 days. However, the Suntory Mermaid II, a 9.5 meter (31 ft) long x 3.5 meter (11 ft) wide, 3-ton vessel made of recycled aluminum, does not use an engine for propulsion. Instead, it relies […]
Original post by Edo
June 17, 2008 at 2:25 pm · Filed under Environment, Hokkaido, Robot, Transportation, Household, Energy
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has released a few details about the “Zero Emission House,” a state-of-the-art green home under construction at the site of the upcoming Hokkaido Toyako G8 Summit, where environmental issues will be high on the agenda.
Incorporating the latest in sustainable building technology, the 280-square-meter (3,000 sq ft) Japanese-style home is designed to have a small carbon footprint. A 14.5-kilowatt solar array and a small 1-kilowatt wind generator provide power to the home, which is equipped with next-generation energy-saving appliances, thermal insulation glass, vacuum insulated panels and a green roof. The interior is illuminated by a system of light ducts and OLED lamps.
Read the full post (207 words, 2 images)
Original post by Edo
December 11, 2007 at 10:23 pm · Filed under 1 Other Neat Things, Science, Energy, Light, neon
Litroenergy is a new type of material that emits light for 12 years without needing electricity or sun exposure. The self-luminous micro-particles are called Litrospheres and are said to be non-toxic, inexpensive and equivalent to a 20 watt incandescent bulb.
The Litrospheres give off a continuous illumination, and can be designed to glow in any color. In addition, they are not affected by heat or cold, and are 5,000-pound crush resistant. They can be injection molded or added to paint. The fill rate of Litroenergy micro particles in plastic injection molding material or paint is about 20%.
The constant light gives off no U.V. rays, and can be designed to emit almost any color of light desired. What a cool product!!
Via: Treehugger
Source: Peswiki
Original post by algonkin
September 6, 2007 at 12:17 pm · Filed under Space, Energy, Osaka University, Laser
In a development that brings space-based power generation systems a step closer to reality, researchers from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Osaka University Institute of Laser Engineering have developed groundbreaking new technology for converting sunlight into laser beams.
Relying on plates made from a special ceramic material containing chromium (which absorbs the sunlight) and neodymium (which efficiently converts sunlight to laser light), the newly developed lasers demonstrated an impressive 42% solar-to-laser energy conversion efficiency, outperforming previous technology by a factor of four.
The researchers say the new laser technology will play a key role in JAXA’s “Space Solar Power Systems” (SSPS) project, which aims to put space-based power systems in orbit by the year 2030. By mounting the system on a satellite in stationary orbit 36,000 km (22,400 mi.) above the equator, sunlight would be collected and converted into a powerful laser beam, which would then be aimed […]
Original post by Edo
June 22, 2007 at 11:26 am · Filed under Nuclear, Relic, Household, Energy
While searching the web for information on home nuclear power systems, I came across this interesting scan of an ’80s print ad for an imaginary device called the Chernobyl Household Nuclear Generator. There is no date on this mock ad, so it is unclear whether it was created before or after 1986 — the year of the Chernobyl meltdown. If the ad was created before 1986, when Chernobyl was widely regarded as a marvel of modern technology, it would appear to be some sort of attempt to arouse interest in the promise of household nuclear power. If created after 1986, it would appear to be somebody’s idea of a bad joke. Regardless, with all the talk today of global warming and peak oil, perhaps it would not hurt to take another look at what home fission reactors have to offer. If affordable, would you be interested in purchasing a Chernobyl […]
Original post by Edo
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