Lifeboat Foundation: Safeguarding Humanity
Toggle light / dark theme

Blog

Category: sustainability – Page 259

Research paves way for wireless charging of electric vehicles

Imagine you’re driving your Tesla, or an equivalent electric car, down the highway. Your battery is running low. Sure, you could pull off at the next exit and spend time, and energy, searching for a recharging station. Or you could simply change lanes and drive over special charging strips embedded in the road.

That’s the vision of Khurram Afridi, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering. He’s pioneering an innovative approach for the wireless charging of electric vehicles, autonomous forklifts and other mobile machines, while they remain in motion.

Cornell researchers are pioneering an innovative approach for the wireless charging of electric vehicles and other machines while they remain in motion.

Scientists Have Developed a Living “Bio-Solar Cell” That Runs on Photosynthesis

Plants are often thought of as sources of food, oxygen, and decoration, but not as a source of electricity. However, scientists have discovered that by harnessing the natural transport of electrons within plant cells, it is possible to generate electricity as part of a green, biological solar cell. In a recent study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, researchers for the first time used a succulent plant to create a living “bio-solar cell” that runs on photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is how plants and some microorganisms use sunlight to synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water.

This bold new mission will try beaming solar power down from space

The Space Solar Power Project (SSPP) began in 2011 when Donald Bren — philanthropist, chairman of the Irvine Company, and a lifetime member of the Caltech Board of Trustees — and Caltech’s then-president Jean-Lou Chameau came together to discuss the potential for a space-based solar power research project. By 2013, Bren and his wife (Caltech trustee Brigitte Bren) began funding the project through the Donald Bren Foundation, which will eventually exceed $100 million. As Bren said in a recent Caltech press release:

“For many years, I’ve dreamed about how space-based solar power could solve some of humanity’s most urgent challenges. Today, I’m thrilled to be supporting Caltech’s brilliant scientists as they race to make that dream a reality.”

While the technology behind solar cells has existed since the late 19th century, generating solar power in space presents some serious challenges. For one thing, solar panels are heavy and require extensive wiring to transmit power, making them expensive and difficult to launch. To overcome these challenges, the SSPP team had to create a satellite that would be light enough for cost-effective launches yet strong enough to withstand the extreme environment of space. This required envisioning and developing new technologies, architectures, materials, and structures.

This US state wants to phase out EVs instead of ICEs by 2035

The state introduced the resolution as a tribute to its oil and gas industry.

A U.S. state has decided to swim against the tide with its proposal to phase out all-electric vehicles from the state by 2035. You heard it right. Wyoming’s legislature is debating a resolution introduced on January 13, intended to pay tribute to its oil and gas industry which has created countless jobs and revenues over the decades.

In 2021, the state had produced 85.43 million barrels of crude oil, making it the eighth largest producer of oil among states in the U.S. Wyoming has a total population of just 577,000 people.

MarioGuti/iStock.

The resolution — Senate Joint Resolution 4 (SJ4), urges its residents to voluntarily limit their purchases and businesses to stop their sale of EVs, measures which aimed at phasing them out entirely by 2035. Through this symbolic act, lawmakers in Wyoming led by Senator Jim Anderson aim to send a message to EV supporters and people who campaign against ICE engine vehicles.

Infineon energy efficiency 3D experience — Infineon Technologies

Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. To slow down global warming, we need to rethink how we generate and consume energy. Facing significant structural changes in supply and demand, we are in the middle of an energy transition with a strong need for action.

To reach a net zero economy by 2050 we have to swiftly replace fossil fuels in power generation with renewable, clean and secure sources. At the same time technologies powered by fossil-fuels must be replaced by electrified applications such as those seen in electric vehicles or heat pumps. Microelectronics plays a decisive role in respective applications.

Infineon’s semiconductor solutions enable the provision of green energy as well as the electrification of applications in the industrial, mobility and consumer sectors. Our semiconductor solutions are vital to decarbonization, they are key elements in creating a better future.

Hydrogen Will Not Save Us. Here’s Why

🌎 Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➡️ https://NordVPN.com/sabine It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!

Replacing fossil fuel with hydrogen seems like an ideal solution to make transportation environmentally friendly and to provide a backup for intermittent energy sources like solar and wind. But how environmentally friendly is hydrogen really? And how sustainable is it, given that hydrogen fuel cells rely on supply of rare metals like platinum and iridium? In this video, we have collected all the relevant numbers for you.

👉 Transcript and References on Patreon ➜ https://www.patreon.com/Sabine.
💌 Sign up for my weekly science newsletter. It’s free! ➜ https://sabinehossenfelder.com/newsletter/
📖 Check out my new book “Existential Physics” ➜ http://existentialphysics.com/
🔗 Join this channel to get access to perks ➜
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1yNl2E66ZzKApQdRuTQ4tw/join.

Many thanks to Jordi Busqué for helping with this video http://jordibusque.com/

00:00 Intro.

Continue reading “Hydrogen Will Not Save Us. Here’s Why” | >

Tesla’s new Model S and Model X just became a lot more competitive

Even with their previous prices, the Tesla Model S and Model X are already formidable in their respective segments. But with their recently adjusted costs, Tesla’s two flagship electric vehicles just became a lot more competitive.

Following a recent round of price adjustments, the Tesla Model S and Model X are now more affordable. The flagship all-electric sedan now starts at $94,990 for its Dual Motor AWD variant. Previously, the vehicle started at $104,990. The Model S Plaid, on the other hand, now starts $114,990, a notable drop from its previous price of $135,990.

A startup transforms abandoned wind turbines into useful concrete

Wind turbine blades are recycled into reinforcement fiber that increases the strength and overall durability of concrete.

Wind turbines are great for producing energy but become quite wasteful once their lifetime has expired, as the materials used to construct them simply don’t biodegrade very well.

One company is seeking to do something about that according to a report by electrek published on Thursday.

XtockImages/iStock.

They have a lifespan of around 20–25 years, and once they are discarded, their massive, glass or carbon fiber-reinforced blades often end up in landfills.

/* */