Energy

- Elastic Triboelectric Tactile Sensor Development Using Graphene Electrode Unaffected by Elasticity - Published in 'Nano Energy' as a Technology to Produce Precise Sensors by Supplementing the Output Change Problem of Sensors Deformed by Human Activity

Pyroelectric catalysis (pyro-catalysis) can convert environmental temperature fluctuations into clean chemical energy, like hydrogen. However, compared with the more common catalysis strategy, such as photocatalysis, pyro-catalysis is inefficient due to slow temperature changes in the ambient environment. Recently, a team co-led by researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) triggered a significantly faster and more efficient pyro-catalytic reaction using localized plasmonic heat sources to rapidly and efficiently heat up the pyro-catalytic material and allow it to cool down. The findings open up new avenues for efficient catalysis for biological applications, pollutant treatment and clean energy production.

Metal oxides are a promising catalyst for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting to produce hydrogen as alternative energy. However, their effectiveness is restricted at low voltage. A research team led by scholars from City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Australia and Germany successfully mediated the poor charge carrier transport at low voltage by adding phosphorus to a metal oxide catalyst, which reduced energy losses during water splitting. The findings offer a potential option for achieving carbon neutrality.

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are a promising, economical, next-generation solar cell technology for scalable clean energy and wearable electronics. But the energy conversion loss due to the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers in OPVs has hindered further enhancement of their power conversion efficiency (PCE). Recently, researchers from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) overcame this obstacle by inventing a novel device-engineering strategy to successfully suppress the energy conversion loss, resulting in record-breaking efficiency.

Scientists at Malaysia’s IIUM are helping small and medium business owners in Sarawak to use technology to cut costs and improve marketing.

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have succeeded in synthesizing fumaric acid, a raw material for plastics, from CO2 powered by solar energy—for the first time. Typically, fumaric acid is synthesized from petroleum as a raw material to make polybutylene succinate, a biodegradable plastic, but this research shows that it can be synthesized from CO2 and biomass-derived compounds using renewable energy.

Controlling a material’s thermal conductivity can help insulate our homes, improve the performance of electronic devices, conserve power consumption in cars, and generate greater power efficiency. Now, a group of researchers has unveiled a novel mechanism that leads to further suppression of thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials, something that will help develop new guidelines for producing high-performance thermoelectric materials.

- DGIST Department of Energy Science and Engineering Professor Lee Jong-won's team developed oxide-based solid electrolyte technology with enhanced atmospheric stability - Anticipating the development of high-performance/high-safety all-solid-state batteries... Published in ‘Energy Storage Materials’

Understanding how bats tolerate viral infections, Material separates water from...water, The virtual sense of touch polished to next level and COVID-19 negatively impacted early-careers and female researchers. Read all in the December's Editor's Choice.

- Time Energy Solution Co., Ltd. develops a general consumer-friendly hydrogen fuel generator (Eco-Friendly Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator) - Wins CES 2023 Award for Innovation in ‘Sustainability, Eco Design & Smart Energy’ with ‘Eco-friendly Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator’

- DGIST Professor Lee Hong-Kyung's joint research team develops convection-induced new concept electrolyte through magnetic nanoparticles, dramatically improving the lifespan of next-generation lithium metal batteries - Recognized for its excellence, selected as the cover study in the prestigious international journal ‘Advanced Functional Materials’

- DGIST Joint Team of Professors Kim Hoe-joon and Hong Seon-ki developed high-efficiency piezoelectric energy harvesting technology using materials harmless to humans - Attachable to body, generates energy and diagnoses exercise posture... Published in the November issue of ‘Nano Energy’

Exploring virtual human-agent relationships, A fly protein gives clue for human cancers, Rare earth elements formed in neutron star mergers 💥, One-stop process for hydrogen production. Read all in the November's Editor's Choice plus Upcoming event K4DM KNOWLEDGE MARKETPLACE – Bangkok 2022: Exchanging Ideas for a Democratic Myanmar.

- Preclinical trial results show real-time physiological response to neural stimulation via stimulus parameter modulation. Their paper is published in a high-ranking journal in materials and energy, Nano Energy.

- A technique to decrease the body electric potential using a triboelectric nanogenerator is discovered and developed into a static prevention technology - This work is published in “Nano Energy” as a study on technology that is easier to apply and more effective than existing static removal methods

The metal-carbon dioxide battery is a promising and environmentally friendly technology, but its energy efficiency is limited. Recently, a research team co-led by chemists from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) discovered an innovative way to overcome this problem by introducing an unconventional phase nanomaterial as a catalyst, boosting battery energy efficiency up to 83.8%. The study reveals a novel design of catalysts for the new generation of meta-gas batteries that can contribute to carbon neutral goals.

A flipping action in a porous material facilitates the passage of normal water to separate it out from heavy water.

Scientists in Singapore show that restoring natural water availability to the Mekong’s floodplains is possible

Giants in History: Shinichiro Tomonaga (31 March 1906 – 8 July 1979), together with Richard Feynman and Julian Schwinger, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, for their contributions to advance the field of quantum electrodynamics.

Hydrogen, a clean fuel, is incredibly dense in energy—three times more than diesel or gasoline. Its ability to power a sustainable future has been hindered by a lack of high performing catalysts. Now, a collaborative research group has developed nanoporous molybdenum-based intermetallic compounds that could address this conundrum.

The Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2022: SDG International Innovation Awards & Expo (SDGIIAE) returns for its 2nd edition and the awards encourage the development of innovative solutions for local and global challenges.

The project will apply Indonesia’s Institut Teknologi Bandung's (ITB) specialized expertise in chemical reaction engineering to probe optimization of ammonia firing. Target set on achieving cleaner power generation in Indonesia, based on demonstration testing with H-25 gas turbine.

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have successfully developed a new positive electrode material Na2FeS2, consisting of sodium, iron, and sulfur. During testing, batteries using the Na2FeS2 positive electrode had a high energy storage capacity and could be charged and discharged for more than 300 cycles. Because the Na2FeS2 is made of abundant inexpensive elements, it is expected to be used in all-solid-state sodium batteries with higher capacity and lower costs.

Linked lanthanides shine light on crystal engineering, New technique reveals hidden genome, Red, white and blue alerts for dangerous bacteria & Windows gain competitive edge over global warming. Read all in the September's Editor's Choice plus this month's Asia Research News 2022 magazine pick - Floating sensors to gather ocean data.

- The low-cost, high-energy, long-life lithium-sulfur battery is based on a novel silica/sulfur interlayer. - The battery is expected to be used in next-generation mobile phones, drones, and electric vehicles owing to its high energy density and improved lifespan.

Researchers have made perovskite solar cells more efficient and stable, A new cause of Parkinson's related cell death, Hibernating superpower is in the blood, Common mechanism for cancer and atherosclerosis, COVID-19 antibody skin-based test. Read all in the August's Editor's Choice plus an Interview with Prof Sutee Yoksan on The story behind the new dengue vaccine & this month's Asia Research News 2022 magazine pick - The evolutionary history of puddle frogs.

A research group led by Professor Akitoshi Hayashi at the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Engineering has successfully developed a high-capacity capacitor, an energy storage device—using a solid electrolyte with high deformability—that can operate at high temperatures. With this discovery, high-capacity capacitors can now be made which do not require cooling, this increases their efficiency and allows for new suitable applications.

Rare earth metals, when linked, can act as a conduit for energy flow, and show promise for the development of novel materials.

- Joint research team comprising the DGIST Thin Film Solar Cell Research Center and the Department of New Material Engineering of Kyungnam University discovers the cause of pore formation in thin film solar cells of general-purpose materials and developed technology to resolve the problem - Suggested strategies for developing eco-friendly general-purpose thin film solar cells by suppressing pore formation

- Clarified the relationship between the form of piezoelectric fiber components and their piezoelectric performance - Accelerated commercialization of energy harvesting textile materials that can recycle energy wasted or consumed in everyday life