Solar Power

NASA Going Back to the Moon: What is the Gateway Orbit?

A NASA expert explains why the Artemis mission will rely on a fascinating orbit known as the "Gateway."

NASA Going Back to the Moon: How Does the Artemis Mission Differ from Apollo?

A NASA expert explains the big difference between the lunar south pole and the Moon's equator.

NASA Going Back to the Moon: What are the Biggest Technology Challenges for Artemis?

Before human explorers can head to the Moon and beyond, they need to tackle these three important tasks.

Better Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Molten sodium batteries have been used for many years to store energy from renewable sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines. However, commercially available molten sodium-sulfur...

More Efficient Electricity Distribution Thanks to New Insulation Material

If we are to transition to a world powered by renewable energy, efficient long-distance transport of electricity is essential, since the supply — renewable...

A Sharper Look at the Interior of Semiconductors

A new imaging method allows researchers to see inside complex semiconductors, without destroying them.

Sustainable Aluminum-Anode Batteries

The rechargeable batteries could be a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

High-Mobility Transport Layer Structures for Rhombohedral Si/Ge/SiGe Devices

This invention enables improved carrier mobility for solar cells and other electronic devices.

Measuring Moon Dust to Fight Air Pollution

NASA’s need to contain hazardous lunar dust led to technology that senses other pollutants.

Tension Element Damping (TED) with Hydraulics for Large Displacements

Applications include wind turbines, solar arrays, commercial space mobile launchers, and industrial process stacks and equipment.

Flexible Organic Photovoltaics

These organic solar cells can be useful where constant, low power generation is sufficient.

Photovoltaic Solar Cell Works at Night

This cell could potentially operate around the clock, balancing the power grid over the day-night cycle.

Pyroelectric Sandwich Thermal Energy Harvester

The technology harvests electrical energy from waste heat sources.

Supercapacitors Go Hybrid for Increased Performance and Efficiency

Learn about the properties of each capacitor option, and their ideal applications.

5 Ws of the Sunlight-Powered Water Filter

The invention could help solve the problem of providing clean water off the grid or where low-cost, non-powered water purification is needed.

Harnessing SWIR Line Scan Imaging Technology

Learn about the benefits of SWIR imaging, from food inspection to surveillance.

Q&A: Electricity-Free Cooling

Professor Qiaoqiang Gan of the University at Buffalo (NY) and his team developed a unique two-in-one system that uses solar energy for simultaneously cooling and heating — without electricity.

Using Solar Panel Technology to Create Ultrahigh-Resolution OLED Display

The micro-display could enable smartphones and televisions with resolutions of more than 10,000 pixels per inch.

Luminescent Windows Generate Energy From Inside and Out

Rice University engineers have suggested a colorful solution to next-generation energy collection: Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) in your windows. The team designed and...

Using Electric Vehicle Batteries for Solar Energy Farms

Battery reuse systems could be profitable for both electric vehicle companies and grid-scale solar operations.

Q&A: Oil and Gas Wells for Energy Storage

USC researchers found a way to use idle oil and gas wells for energy storage.

Improving Performance of Supercritical CO2 in Next-Generation Energy Applications with 3D Metal Printing

See why Mohawk Innovative Technology, Inc. is excited for the potential of additive manufacturing.

Side-Mounted Solar Modules Enhance Energy Sustainability

Research demonstrates the potential of a solar unit that can hang on the outside of a structure.

Generating Renewable Hydrogen Fuel from the Sea

Membranes that remove salt from water help split sea water into fuel.

Advanced Solar Panels Extract More Energy from Sunlight

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers working to maximize solar panel efficiency said layering advanced materials atop traditional silicon is a promising path to eke...

A Solar Alternative: How to Power Devices with Indoor Light

A new material is especially effective at absorbing indoor light and converting it into usable energy.