Solar-Powered Robotic Bird Soars Through the Sky
Robots have flown before but none so realistic as the Robo Raven III. It’s the first robotic bird that flies on batteries charged by on board solar cells. But this isn’t a birdbrain attempt at…
Energy
Power Up with Electricity from Plant Parts
Renewable power generation is estimated to rise from its 20% levels in 2011 to 25% of global gross power generation in 2018. With newer innovations like electricity generated from plants, this figure is on track…
Focus on Fukushima as Cleanup Enters Extremely Dangerous Stage
The Great Tohoku tsunami and earthquake that rattled Japan in March 2011 and the subsequent partial meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant caused a lot of tension and worry for the health and well-being…
New Device Uses Sewage and Sunlight to Produce Hydrogen Gas
Just imagine if two abundantly available free resources – sewage and sunlight – could provide a sustainable energy source while greening the planet. Researchers at the University of Santa Cruz have developed a solar microbial…
Wireless Electric Car Charging Stations Coming to the Streets of New York City
Electric cars provide a clean and safe alternative to polluting vehicles. But electric cars cover a much shorter driving range on a single charge than cars powered by fossil fuels. They require long and frequent…
Massive Solar Tower to Become the World’s Second-Tallest Building
EnviroMission’s Arizona Solar Tower Project is a breakthrough in the renewable energy field. With the capacity to generate 200MW power, enough to power 150,000 US homes, it will capture worldwide attention. The best part about…
Kite Surfing Inspires Renewable Wave Power Invention
The concept of Renewable Wave Power is up for this year’s James Dyson award, which recognizes excellence in engineering and design in young students and innovators. The unique generator, which is in the UK category,…
Colored Solar Glass Pretty, Yet Powerful Enough to Generate Electricity for an Entire Building
Oxford Photovoltaics, a commercial offshoot of the University of Oxford, has developed colorful and transparent glass that can generate electricity from the sun’s energy. This semi-transparent dyed glass that acts as a solar panel enables…
Solid-State Laser Could Be the End of Guided Missiles and Artillery
The US Navy’s first trial with the solid-state LaWS (laser weapon system) from aboard the USS Ponce points towards revolutionizing global warfare. The at-sea demonstration in April this year brought down a test drone and…
Sodium Gives Rechargeable Batteries a Boost
Lithium ion batteries can be recharged hundreds of times and work well, but lithium is expensive. Researchers at Michigan Technological University have found an effective and virtually inexhaustible substitute for lithium. They believe sodium could…
