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Archive for the ‘sustainability’ category: Page 581

Dec 21, 2016

How graphene quantum dots can convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels

Posted by in categories: climatology, quantum physics, sustainability

Researchers used nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots to convert carbon dioxide into liquid hydrocarbons like ethylene and ethanol for use as fuel.

The wonder material known as graphene may have a new trick up its sleeve: converting carbon dioxide into liquid fuels. A team of researchers at Rich University in Texas used nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) as a catalyst in electrochemical reactions that create ethylene and ethanol, and the stability and efficiency of the material is close to common electrocatalysts such as copper.

In the fight to slow climate change, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere is crucial, and plenty of research is looking into how we can capture carbon at the source, using clay, engineered bacteria, metal-organic frameworks, or materials like the “Memzyme” and sequester it into rock and concrete. Other studies are focusing on converting the captured carbon into liquid hydrocarbons, which can be used as fuel.

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Dec 18, 2016

Reactor that produces liquid fuel from CO2 in the air to be tested in portable pilot plant

Posted by in category: sustainability

Interesting…


A transportable chemical reactor developed at Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and spinoff company Ineratec that uses solar power to convert CO2 from the air and regenerative hydrogen from electrolysis into liquid fuels will be tested in a pilot plant.

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Dec 13, 2016

Two electrons go on a quantum walk and end up in a qudit: Russian scientists find a way to reliably connect quantum elements

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, computing, nanotechnology, particle physics, quantum physics, solar power, sustainability

This is a BIG DEAL in QC, and Russian Scientists solved it.


Abstract: Scientists from the Institute of Physics and Technology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and MIPT have let two electrons loose in a system of quantum dots to create a quantum computer memory cell of a higher dimension than a qubit (a quantum bit). In their study published in Scientific Reports, the researchers demonstrate for the first time how quantum walks of several electrons can help to implement quantum computation.

“By studying the system with two electrons, we solved the problems faced in the general case of two identical interacting particles. This paves the way toward compact high-level quantum structures,” comments Leonid Fedichkin, Expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vice-Director for Science at NIX (a Russian computer company), and Associate Professor at MIPT’s Department of Theoretical Physics.

Continue reading “Two electrons go on a quantum walk and end up in a qudit: Russian scientists find a way to reliably connect quantum elements” »

Dec 13, 2016

America’s first 3D printed houses

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, habitats, sustainability

The U.S may soon have 3D printed homes, and a new partnership are claiming they will be created in just one day. Construction company Sunconomy have teamed up with Russian 3D printers Apis Cor and their 3D concrete printer and realize this ambition. Larry Haines, founder of Sunconomy, wants the public to join them on a “revolutionary journey to build affordable, smart, sustainable housing with Apis Cor’s new 3D concrete printer “. Sunconomy are currently crowd-funding for this project with a goal of over $500,000.

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Dec 10, 2016

Turning a Tesla Into a Brain-Controlled Vehicle

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, sustainability

Although we strive towards a limited invasive BMI technology; public adoption will (like autonomous AI) will be limited until the public and even private networks are updated and secured with QC.


The driver mentally commands the car to accelerate or brake. True, the autopilot is a joy and wonder to marvel, but what about those who still love driving? Good new, soon enough it will be possible to drive with your mind.

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Dec 9, 2016

Tesla Gigafactory Launch

Posted by in categories: energy, sustainability

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Dec 9, 2016

Houston, we have power: Space-based solar power could be the final frontier in renewable energy

Posted by in categories: health, solar power, space travel, sustainability

Yes, renewable energy technologies exist. But solar power, the one with arguably the most promise for significant, scalable deployment, is intermittent. Although the sun provides more energy in one hour than humans consume in a year, we can only tap into this power when the sun is shining. At least, that’s been the predominant school of thought.

But since the 1960s, a group of researchers from NASA and the Pentagon have been thinking outside the box — or in this case, outside the atmosphere. Solar power captured in outer space would not be limited by nighttime hours or cloud cover. And — unlike 23 percent of current incoming solar energy — it wouldn’t be absorbed by water vapor, dust and ozone before reaching us. Finally, because space solar is constant, it wouldn’t need to be stored, which can lead to energy losses of up to 50 percent. In other words, taking our solar panels from the ground to the cosmos could be a great deal more efficient. It may also be key to humanity’s survival.

“In countries right now where they’re trying to deal with poverty, water scarcity, poor health, lack of education and political instability — these are all things you need energy in order to fight,” Paul Jaffe, PhD, spacecraft engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, said in a recent TakeApart story. Or, as John C. Mankins, founder of Mankins Space Technology and author of “The Case for Space Based Solar,” told Salon, “In the long run, renewable large-scale energy sources such as space solar power are essential to sustaining industrial civilization, and the long and increasingly high quality of lives that we enjoy.”

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Dec 6, 2016

Quantum solar cells could explain why plants are green

Posted by in categories: quantum physics, solar power, sustainability

Quantum exposed the truth about why vegetation is often green.


An attempt to make more efficient solar cells shows that green light might be the least useful hue – maybe that’s why plants reflect it.

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Dec 6, 2016

Google Says It Will Run Entirely on Renewable Energy in 2017

Posted by in categories: internet, solar power, sustainability

The internet giant has spent years migrating the source of electric power at its giant data centers to sources like wind turbines and solar panels.

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Dec 6, 2016

Futuristic Urban Droneport could act as a hub for drone deliveries

Posted by in categories: drones, sustainability

Architect Saúl Ajuria Fernández designed Urban Droneport, an hub for delivery drones, as part of his master’s degree at Universidad de Alcalá.

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