http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/alternative_fuels/ Alternative fuel sources. From hydrogen cars and microbial fuel cells to break-throughs in bioconversion, browse the latest research in alternative fuels. en-us Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:05:01 EDT Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/alternative_fuels/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172146.htm Researchers have developed a prototype sensor that quickly detects very small amounts of hydrogen accumulation in coated pipeline steel. The new sensor could provide early warning of pipes that have accumulated excessive amounts of hydrogen and avert potentially disastrous failures of pipelines. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172146.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006170531.htm Researchers in Greece report design of a new material that almost meets the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2010 goals for hydrogen storage and could help eliminate a key roadblock to practical hydrogen-powered vehicles. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006170531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925114128.htm Scientists are putting the pressure on metal-organic frameworks. Behaving as molecular-scale sponges these MOFs have wide ranging potential uses for filtering, capturing or detecting molecules such as carbon dioxide or hydrogen storage for fuel cells. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925114128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172438.htm As the United States and other nations commit to the path of biofuels production, 23 scientists call for sustainable practices in an industry that will, as one of them says, "reshape the Earth's landscape in a significant way." Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172438.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925111836.htm A simple device which attaches to a vehicles fuel line near the fuel injector and creates an electrical field could boost gas efficiency as much as 20 percent. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925111836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917175046.htm Iowa State University's Song-Charng Kong and his students are working to reduce emissions in diesel engines, develop a computer model of a gasoline engine and optimize new engine technologies. The results could be cleaner, more efficient engines in our cars and trucks. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917175046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170624.htm Hydrogen has many industrial uses and may one day replace fossil fuels such as gasoline to power vehicles without emitting carbon dioxide. But finding an environmentally friendly way to produce hydrogen in large quantities is still a big challenge. At Idaho National Laboratory, a team of engineers is working to develop a greener process, splitting steam into hydrogen and oxygen using high-temperature electrolysis. Coupled to an advanced nuclear plant, high-temperature electrolysis would use heat and a portion of the plant's electricity to generate hydrogen. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170624.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170827.htm Following independent paths of investigation, two research teams are announcing this month that they have successfully converted sugar -- potentially derived from agricultural waste and non-food plants -- into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and a range of other valuable chemicals. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170827.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080912091726.htm As the price of gasoline fuel soars, and concerns grow about the impact of car culture on the environment, a team of scientists have come up with a hydrogen-powered car, which they believe is a significant step forward in creating a mass-produced green machine. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080912091726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915164550.htm In an advance toward introduction of an amazing new kind of internal combustion engine, researchers in China are reporting development and use of a new and more accurate computer model to assess performance of the so-called free-piston linear alternator (FPLA). Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915164550.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121227.htm Researchers are helping to develop new rechargeable batteries that could improve hybrid electric cars in the future. For hybrid cars, new materials are crucial to make the batteries lighter, safer and more efficient in storing energy. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911103918.htm Hydrogen may well be the new gasoline. But where's the nearest "gas" station where you can pull up and refuel your energy-efficient vehicle? Will hydrogen stations be strategically convenient -- located on street corners and travel-stop locations around the globe? In a new study, RIT professor James Winebrake and Patrick Meyer consider the number of barriers to overcome before the hydrogen-fuel infrastructure becomes efficient, affordable and publicly accepted. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911103918.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908185132.htm A team of researchers have made a discovery that is important for producing large quantities of cellulosic ethanol, a leading candidate for a sustainable and secure alternative to petroleum-derived transportation fuel. For the first time, the group has genetically engineered a thermophilic bacterium, meaning it's able to grow at high temperatures, and this new microorganism makes ethanol as the only product of its fermentation. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908185132.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909095135.htm Water’s unrivaled omnipresence and the crucial role it plays in life drive scientists to understand every detail of its unusual underlying properties on the microscopic scale. Researchers now report how water solvates its intrinsic hydroxide (OH-) anion. Unraveling this behavior is important to advance the understanding of aqueous chemistry and biology. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909095135.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908203021.htm Bacteria found in compost heaps able to convert waste plant fiber into ethanol could eventually provide up 10% of the UK's transport fuel needs, according to new research. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908203021.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134318.htm Researchers from the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory report changes in the melting temperature of solid nitrogen at pressures up to 120 gigapascals and temperatures reaching 2,500° Kelvin. These results, plus observed changes in the structure of solid nitrogen at high pressures, could lead to new high energy nitrogen- or hydrogen-based fuels in the future. Hypothesized nitrogen polymers could form materials with higher energy content than any known non-nuclear material. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134318.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825200752.htm In experiments, sweet potatoes grown in Maryland and Alabama yielded two to three times as much carbohydrate for fuel ethanol production as field corn grown in those states, scientists report. The same was true of tropical cassava in Alabama. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825200752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825195852.htm A new "green" technology developed cooperatively by scientists with the Agricultural Research Service and North Carolina State University could lead to production of hydrogen from nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825195852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820163111.htm Researchers here have found a way to convert ethanol and other biofuels into hydrogen very efficiently. A new catalyst makes hydrogen from ethanol with 90 percent yield, at a workable temperature, and using inexpensive ingredients. The new catalyst is much less expensive than others being developed around the world, because it does not contain precious metals, such as platinum or rhodium. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820163111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080818101325.htm Tetra-Amido Macrocyclic Ligands are environmentally friendly catalysts with a host of applications for reducing and cleaning up pollutants, and a prime example of "green chemistry." Carnegie Mellon University's Terry Collins, the catalyst's inventor, believes that the small-molecule catalysts have the potential to be even more effective than previously proven. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080818101325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080818184434.htm Researchers have a plan to greatly increase algae oil yields by feeding the algae extra carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) and organic material like sewage, meaning the algae could simultaneously produce biofuel and clean up environmental problems. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080818184434.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731140141.htm Scientists have developed a nanomaterial that makes plastic stiffer, lighter and stronger and could result in more fuel-efficient airplanes and cars as well as more durable medical and sports equipment. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731140141.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813164640.htm Researchers have developed a method for converting crop residue, wood pulp, animal waste and garbage into ethanol. The process first turns the waste material into synthesis gas, or syngas, and nanoscale catalysts then convert the syngas into ethanol. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813164640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731173133.htm A new material characterized at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory could open a pathway toward more efficient fuel cells. The material, a super-lattice, improves ionic conductivity near room temperature by a factor of almost 100 million, representing "a colossal increase in ionic conduction properties," according to researchers. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731173133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731143916.htm Scientists have revolutionized the design of fuel cells used in the latest generation of hybrid cars which could make the vehicles more reliable and cheaper to build. The breakthrough, published in the journal Science, revolves around the design of a fuel cell in which a specially-coated form of popular hi tech outdoor and sporting clothing material Goretex® is the key component. Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731143916.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731143345.htm Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. Researchers have now hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731143345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722072030.htm Scientists modeled emissions for Minnesota and found that it is possible to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050 and possibly exceed those numbers if a combination of strategies are implemented, including reducing fuel consumption, increasing fuel efficiencies and fuel carbon content and by using new methods for designing communities. However, the researchers point out that the methods could be applied nationally. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722072030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080717101520.htm A transition to hydrogen vehicles could greatly reduce US oil dependence and carbon dioxide emissions, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council, but making hydrogen vehicles competitive in the automotive market will not be easy. Vehicle costs are high, and the U.S. currently lacks the infrastructure to produce and widely distribute hydrogen to consumers. The maximum practicable number of hydrogen vehicles that could be on the road by 2020 is 2 million, says the report. The number of hydrogen vehicles on the road could then grow rapidly, to nearly 60 million in 2035 and 200 million by 2050. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080717101520.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715092602.htm A greener, less expensive method to produce hydrogen for fuel may eventually be possible with the help of water, solar energy and nanotube diodes that use the entire spectrum of the sun's energy. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715092602.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711090731.htm A report on how Australia can best respond to the environmental and economic challenges arising from its dependence on fossil fuels for transport has just been released. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711090731.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163219.htm Seeking to understand a new fuel cell material, a research team has uncovered a novel structure that moves oxygen ions through the cell at substantially lower temperatures than previously thought possible. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163219.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619142118.htm Posting a vehicle's fuel efficiency in "gallons per mile" rather than "miles per gallon" would help consumers make better decisions about car purchases and environmental impact, researchers report in the journal Science. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619142118.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616124935.htm Chemists have now found an interesting new approach that may lead to effective recycling of CCl4, an unwanted byproduct of chlorinated hydrocarbon production. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616124935.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616115724.htm Scientists have demonstrated an atomistic mechanism of hydrogen release in magnesium nanoparticles -- a potential hydrogen storage material. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616115724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080606102558.htm In the future, an unmanned helicopter will search for people trapped in fallen buildings or investigate contaminated terrain. The mini-helicopter will be powered by a very light fuel cell that weighs only 30 grams and has an output of 12 watts. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080606102558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080604140935.htm A cryogenic pressure vessel developed and installed in an experimental hybrid vehicle can hold liquid hydrogen for six days without venting any of the fuel. Unlike conventional liquid hydrogen tanks in prototype cars, the new pressure vessel was parked for six days without venting evaporated hydrogen vapor. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080604140935.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527130056.htm Biofuels based on renewable sources are increasingly popular as a way to reduce fossil fuel dependence and limit greenhouse gas emissions, but new research shows that some of the most popular current biofuel stocks might have exactly the opposite impacts than intended. Thu, 29 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527130056.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527125905.htm Materials researchers across the globe have fervently been working to find the ideal hydrogen storage material, one that will safely and efficiently provide the needed range and running time for fuel cell vehicles. But a separate issue -- hydrogen "embrittlement" -- is an equally challenging technical hurdle that has gone largely unnoticed by the general public. Thu, 29 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527125905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516164817.htm A materials scientist has deciphered the structure of a new class of materials that can store relatively large quantities of hydrogen. The new analysis may point to a practical hydrogen storage material for automobile fuel cells and similar applications. Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516164817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145345.htm Engineers have improved the power output of one type of fuel cell by more than 50 percent through technology that could help these environmentally friendly energy storage devices find a much broader market, particularly in portable electronics. Mon, 19 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512090630.htm Discarded computer parts could one day wind up fueling your car. That's because researchers in Romania and Turkey have developed a simple, efficient method for recycling printed circuit boards into environmentally-friendly raw materials for use in fuel, plastic, and other useful consumer products. Mon, 12 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512090630.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508115822.htm The newest version of the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation model will provide researchers with even more tools to evaluate and compare the environmental impacts of new transportation fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. The newest update released May 9 will allow scientists to model combustion of ethanol produced from Brazilian sugarcane and used by U.S. automobiles; production and use of bio-butanol as a potential transportation fuel; and production and use of biodiesel and renewable diesel via hydrogenation, coal/biomass co-feeding for Fischer-Tropsch diesel production and various corn ethanol plant types with different process fuels. Sat, 10 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508115822.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506111917.htm A new material, which has a structure that resembles crispy noodles, could help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being pumped out and drive the next generation of high-performance hydrogen cars. Tue, 06 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506111917.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505120710.htm Methanol fuel cells are an efficient and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, but they are still not economically viable. Now, a research chemist has developed new materials that enable the manufacture of cheaper and more efficient methanol fuel cells. Tue, 06 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505120710.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501093520.htm In a "major step" toward a practical energy source for powering tomorrow's nanomachines, researchers report developing a new generation of sub-microscopic nanomotors that are up to 10 times more powerful than existing motors. The tiny motors, made of platinum and gold nanowires, are supercharged with carbon nanotubes. Go Speed Racer, go! Thu, 01 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501093520.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421123120.htm After powering the micro-electronics revolution, silicon could carve out an important new role in speeding the debut of ultra-clean fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen, researchers in China suggest. Their calculations show for the first time that silicon nanotubes can store hydrogen more efficiently than their carbon nanotube counterparts. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421123120.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417173953.htm It is easy to overlook that most of the energy we consume daily, such as electricity or natural gas, is produced with the help of a dwindling resource -- fresh water. Scientists are researching the water-efficiency of some of the most common energy sources and power generating methods. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417173953.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080418090427.htm Two great obstacles to hydrogen-powered vehicles lie with fuel cells. Fuel cells, which like batteries produce electrical power through chemical reactions, have been plagued by their relatively low efficiency and high production costs. Scientists have tested a wide assortment of metals and materials to overcome the twin challenge. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080418090427.htm