Researchers develop a new kind of battery, made entirely from abundant and low-cost materials
As the world builds out ever larger installations of wind and solar power systems, the need is growing fast for economical batteries.
The Brighter Side of News features good news, compassionate news and inspirational news from around the world
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Joseph Shavit
- Oct 25
MIT sleep study delivers eye-opening and unexpected results
More sleep seems to provide big benefits: Many people find it gives them increased energy, emotional control, and improved wellbeing.
Joseph Shavit
- Oct 2
Kid builds a nuclear fusion reactor at home -- he's only 12 years-old
A teen genius at a U.S. middle school has built a working, tiny nuclear fusion reactor—and made it into Guinness World Records.
Joseph Shavit
- Sep 28
Charging cars at home at night is not the way to go, Stanford study finds
In a little over a decade, the research team found, rapid EV growth alone could increase peak electricity demand by up to 25 percent.
Joseph Shavit
- Aug 25
MIT sleep research reveals eye-opening results
Many people find getting more sleep gives them increased energy, emotional control, and an improved sense of well-being.
Joseph Shavit
- Aug 8
An easier and safer way to synthesize medicines
Chemists are able to channel the power of reactive carbenes to fabricate valuable molecules that can be used to create various substances.
Joshua Shavit
- Aug 3
New computer hardware runs 1 million times faster than the synapses in the human brain
A practical inorganic material in the fabrication process enables their devices to run 1 million times faster than previous versions.
Joseph Shavit
- Aug 3
Israeli start-up can heat and cool your house using the power of humidity
Israeli startup ThermoTerra is turning that vision into a novel renewable energy system that harvests energy from fluctuations in humidity.
Joseph Shavit
- Jun 18
New engine can turn biowaste into energy
Furnaces based on biofuel systems will generate heat and power from waste materials with near-complete efficiency and low emissions.
Joseph Shavit
- May 19
Solar innovation could maintain electricity for millions around the world
Millions of people around the world lack access to electricity. Decentralised solar-battery systems are key for addressing this problem.
Joseph Shavit
- May 18
Major infrared breakthrough could lead to solar power at night
The sun’s enormous energy may soon be harnessed in the dark of night following a significant advance in thermal capture technology.
Joseph Shavit
- Apr 28
Breakthrough in photosynthesis helps adapt plants to rapid climate change
Scientists know that they can increase crop yields by accelerating photosynthesis, where plants convert CO2, water and light into oxygen.
Joseph Shavit
- Apr 13
Converting solar energy to electricity on demand
New energy system makes it possible to capture solar energy, store it for up to eighteen years and release it when and where it is needed.
Joseph Shavit
- Apr 6
‘Freeze-thaw battery’ locks in energy for months without losing capacity
Molten-salt battery locks in energy for months without losing capacity and marks step toward seasonal storage of grid-scale energy.
Joseph Shavit
- Mar 31
Scientists develop heat storage material that is stable, efficient and eco-friendly
[Mar 31, 2022: Tom Leonhardt, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg] Felix Marske holds a sample of the new material. (CREDIT: Uni...
Joseph Shavit
- Mar 22
Wind and solar could replace coal power in Texas
Texas can be a model for the nation on how to effectively replace coal with wind and solar for the state’s energy needs.
Joseph Shavit
- Mar 11
Fatty acid found in energy drinks can protect against heart attack injuries
Heart attacks mean energy deprivation. Could a fatty acid found in energy drinks, then, help recovery?
Joseph Shavit
- Mar 9
Mathematical discovery sheds light on secrets of the Universe
How can Einstein's theory of gravity be unified with quantum mechanics? This is a challenge that could yield deep insights into black holes.
Joseph Shavit
- Mar 8
Safer, more powerful batteries for electric cars, power grid
Solid-state batteries, currently used in small electronic devices like smart watches, can be safer and more powerful than lithium-ion cells.
Joseph Shavit
- Mar 6
Neural networks behind social media can consume an infinite amount of energy
Artificial neural networks are brain-inspired computing systems that can be trained to solve complex tasks better than humans.