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Thermopower waves draw big power from tiny wires

Carbon Nanotubes & Graphene, Mar 8

Carbon nanotubes with a special coating of reactive fuel can, when ignited, create a thermal wave that not only spreads quickly but also pushes electrons along the tube, creating a substantial electric current. The energy created by MIT engineers far exceeds that predicted by thermoelectric calculations.

Lending a helping hand

Scientific & Medical Instrumentation, Mar 8

Transforming polyethylene into heat-conducting material

Nanotechnology, Mar 8

Thermopower waves draw big power from tiny wires

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Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Mar 5

I typically attend the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy each year in pursuit of specific coverage. This year, I sought out candidates for coverage in a vacuum technology article, and pulled together some instruments for a spectroscopy guide. But as busy as that kept me, it wasn’t all mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps on the show floor.  

The Next Best Thing?

The Next Best Thing?

Feb 16

There is no doubt that developing and launching a new product is a challenge. Over the past 47 years, the R&D 100 awards have recognized the 100 most technologically significant new consumer, industrial, medical, and technical products, including multiple technologies (besides accelerator pedals) from Toyota.

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Alternative energy crops in space

Alternative energy crops in space

7 hours ago

What if space held the key to producing alternative energy crops on Earth? That's what researchers are hoping to find in a new experiment on the International Space Station. The experiment, National Lab Pathfinder-Cells 3, is aimed at learning whether microgravity can help jatropha curcas plant cells grow faster to produce biofuel, or renewable fuel derived from biological matter.

Thermopower waves draw big power from tiny wires

Thermopower waves draw big power from tiny wires

Mar 8

Carbon nanotubes with a special coating of reactive fuel can, when ignited, create a thermal wave that not only spreads quickly but also pushes electrons along the tube, creating a substantial electric current. The energy created by MIT engineers far exceeds that predicted by thermoelectric calculations.

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This Week's Poll

The DOE's renewable energy lab in Colorado recently reported that it is possible to supply up to 20% of Eastern U.S. energy needs by wind power by 2024. Is this a feasible goal?