- Number 307 |
- March 15, 2010
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Measuring the speed of noble “bubbles”
Storing energy in batteries and improving the shelf life of pharmaceuticals are just two areas that could benefit from understanding supercooled liquids and the amorphous solids into which they form. Using a layer of noble gas "bubbles," scientists at DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory devised a straightforward way to measure how fast molecules diffuse in supercooled liquids. -
Power to spare for hybrid-electric autos
Researchers at DOE's's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have designed, fabricated and demonstrated a PHEV traction drive power electronics system that provides significant mobile power generation and vehicle-to-grid support capabilities.
An advancement in hybrid electric vehicle technology is providing powerful benefits beyond transportation.
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Roasting biomass may be key process in bioenergy economy
Biorefineries may soon rely on a process akin to roasting coffee beans to get more energy-dense biomass. The process is called "torrefaction" — heating biomass above 250 degrees C in an oxygen-free environment. A new collaborative study between DOE's Idaho National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will investigate whether the process can create a more valuable product for the nascent biofuels industry.
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Isotopic tracers probe methane oxidation
Researchers at DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory have used an isotopic tracer to probe the identity of oxygen for carbon monoxide (CO) formation during the catalytic partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas (CO and hydrogen) on Rh/zirconia-doped ceria labeled with 18O2. Understanding the interaction of oxygen species with the catalyst during the conversion of methane to CO and H2 could be useful to design new materials and mitigate carbon deposition.
