Category: Energy & Environment
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Organic solar cells reach record efficiency, benchmark for commercialization
The multi-layered organic solar cells will be able to curve in clothing or be transparently built into windows.
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Semiconductor breakthrough may be game-changer for organic solar cells
Buildings, clothing could generate power.
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Precise pulses explore light’s magnetism
A new laser will investigate an unusual magnetic effect that may lead to efficient solar energy harvesting.
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Floodproofing cities: $1.8M for smart stormwater project
Arming infrastructure with smart tech could limit flood damage.
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Affordable lead sensor for home, city water lines
A new electronic lead sensor, potentially costing around $20, could keep an eye on home and city water quality, alerting residents and officials to the presence of lead within nine days. The University of Michigan researchers are seeking partners to bring the technology to market. The Flint water crisis showed the nation that old water
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Overview: Solar Car Team goes small to win big at World Solar Challenge
Meet Novum: a long, skinny, single-fairing solar car
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‘Magic’ alloy could spur the next generation of solar cells
A new alloy could reduce the cost of high-efficiency solar cells called “concentrator photovoltaics.”
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Renovated nuclear reactor building opens as world-class labs
Inside the new Nuclear Engineering Labs, researchers in the nation’s top-ranked nuclear engineering program will focus on advancing nuclear security, nonproliferation, safety and energy.
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A self-healing, water-repellant coating that’s ultra durable
This coating developed at the University of Michigan is hundreds of times more durable than its counterparts and could enable waterproofing of vehicles, clothing, rooftops and countless other surfaces.
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“Rediscovered” engine for more efficient power plants
U-M led research on the rotating detonation engine in the 1960s–then the US abandoned the design. Now it returns.
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How an Ice Age paradox could inform sea level rise predictions
The behavior of an ancient ice sheet—called Laurentide—has puzzled scientists for decades. Now, new research findings at U-M not only explain this but could also add evidence that climate change could drastically raise sea levels.
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New restrooms help demonstrate urine fertilizer concept
The nation’s first end-to-end urine diversion demonstration system opened, a step toward more sustainable and cost-effective fertilizer and wastewater treatment.