Ethereum completes the “Merge,” which ends mining and cuts energy use by 99.95%
Ethereum replaces proof-of-work with proof-of-stake, making miners unnecessary. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Yuichiro Chino) Ethereum developers today executed the "Merge," an upgrade that eliminates mining and dramatically.....»»
Researchers crack a key problem with sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and grid energy storage
Lithium-ion batteries have long dominated the market as the go-to power source for electric vehicles. They are also increasingly being considered for storage of renewable energy to be used on the electric grid. However, with the rapid expansion of th.....»»
Orbital angular momentum monopoles discovery propels orbitronics forward in energy-efficient tech
Orbital angular momentum monopoles have been the subject of great theoretical interest as they offer major practical advantages for the emerging field of orbitronics, a potential energy-efficient alternative to traditional electronics. Now, through a.....»»
Citrus waste converted to biopolymers using cavitation
The citrus industry generates a substantial amount of waste, primarily peels and seeds, which are often underutilized despite their rich cellulose and pectin content. Conventional pectin and cellulose extraction methods are energy-intensive and gener.....»»
The unexpected role of magnetic microbes in deep-sea mining
Polymetallic nodules are potato-sized formations on the ocean floor that are rich in minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Their concentration of rare, economically important minerals has made the nodules the focus of controversial deep-sea.....»»
Simultaneous detection of uranium isotopes and fluorine advances nuclear nonproliferation monitoring
Combining two techniques, analytical chemists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have become the first to detect fluorine and different isotopes of uranium in a single particle at the same time. Because fluorine is essential.....»»
Ultrasound technology accelerates drying of renewable cellulose nanocrystals
The global transition towards sustainability has sparked significant interest in bio-based materials and energy-efficient technologies. Among these, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), derived from renewable resources, have shown great potential for use i.....»»
Advancing green chemistry: A tandem catalyst for efficient biomass conversion
The global demand for sustainable energy sources has intensified the search for environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. Biomass waste, a byproduct of various industrial processes, presents an untapped potential for the production of bi.....»»
Scientists create model of holographic dark energy that is no longer unstable
In 1998, scientists discovered that our universe expands with acceleration, and in order to explain this effect, the concept of dark matter was introduced. This is a special type of energy that fills up all of existing space-time but is impossible to.....»»
Apple cuts interest rate for Apple Card Savings Account
Apple and Goldman Sachs are cutting the interest rate offered by Apple Card Savings Account from 4.4% to 4.25%. The move was announced in push notifications sent to Apple Card users on Tuesday evening. more….....»»
These Apple products won’t get updated this year, but they’re coming in 2025
Only a few months remain in 2024. Apple has some big launches coming in October. But a variety of products won’t get updated before the year ends. Instead, they’re set for release next year. Here’s every Apple product that won’t get updated t.....»»
Bird study shows that grounded running styles conserve energy
A small team of biologists and animal movement specialists in the Netherlands and the U.K. has found that birds such as the emu have a grounded running style at medium speeds, allowing them to conserve energy compared to the ungrounded running style.....»»
Record-breaking laser demonstration completes mission
NASA's TBIRD (TeraByte InfraRed Delivery) demonstration and its host spacecraft—the PTD-3 (Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-3)—have completed their technology demonstration. The TBIRD payload spent the past two years breaking world records for.....»»
A new approach for rockburst risk control and mitigation in deep mining
Mining of minerals is important for the advancement of modern society. However, over many years of mining, shallow resources are depleting with the need to migrate to deep levels......»»
Semimetal-induced covalency achieves high-efficiency electrocatalysis for platinum intermetallic compounds
Compared with other types of batteries, proton exchange membrane fuel cells have the advantages of high discharge power and no pollution, which is also an important carrier for hydrogen energy conversion and utilization. Platinum intermetallic compou.....»»
OpenAI asked US to approve energy-guzzling 5GW data centers, report says
OpenAI stokes China fears to woo US approvals for huge data centers, report says. Enlarge (credit: Anadolu / Contributor | Anadolu) OpenAI hopes to convince the White House to approve a sprawling plan that would place 5-.....»»
How a nearby supernova left its mark on Earth life
When a massive star explodes as a supernova, it does more than release an extraordinary amount of energy. Supernovae explosions are responsible for creating some of the heavy elements, including iron, which is blasted out into space by the explosion......»»
Manganese cathodes could boost lithium-ion batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are growing in adoption, used in devices like smartphones and laptops, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. But supplies of nickel and cobalt commonly used in the cathodes of these batteries are limited......»»
Ultra-high speed camera for molecules: Attosecond spectroscopy captures electron transfer dynamics
In nature, photosynthesis powers plants and bacteria; within solar panels, photovoltaics transform light into electric energy. These processes are driven by electronic motion and imply charge transfer at the molecular level. The redistribution of ele.....»»
Cricket study suggests mating filter narrows when males are trying to save energy
A trio of biologists at the University of Minnesota has found that when male crickets need to save energy, they narrow their mating filter, to focus more exclusively on females......»»
Thermal effects in spintronics systematically assessed for first time
Spintronics—devices that use microscopic magnetism in conjunction with electric current—could lead to computing technology as fast as conventional electronics but much more energy efficient. As such devices are developed and studied, an important.....»»