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California’s strict air quality regulations help farmers prosper, UCI-led study finds

March 16, 2020March 16, 2020 sarah Jonas Agriculture, Air Pollution, Climate, earth system science, Energy, Faculty, NSF, Research, Transportation

Irvine, Calif., March 16, 2020 – Farmers in California’s Central Valley are not known for their love of government regulations, but those same growers have seen a boost in the productivity of their high-value crops – and greater earnings – as a result of the Golden State’s strict air pollution controls. For a study published today in Nature Food, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and other institutions conducted a statistical analysis of pollution exposure and yields from 1980 to 2015 on a key sector making up about 38 percent of the state’s total agricultural output: perennial crops such as almonds, grapes, nectarines, peaches, strawberries and walnuts.

Announcement

Sandia, Puerto Rican university collaborate to develop energy projects for global tropics

March 6, 2020 sarah Jonas Energy, Environment, Sandia National Laboratories

A new 10-year agreement between Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, has the potential to bring more reliable electricity to remote communities and the latest in electrical grid technology to rural areas in the world’s tropics. A Sandia manager who was born and grew up in Puerto Rico says the agreement will continue a decadeslong relationship with the university he attended.

Research Results

Layered solar cell technology boosts efficiency, affordability

March 5, 2020 sarah Jonas Energy, Power, Technology

Researchers from CU Boulder have created a low-cost solar cell with one of the highest power-conversion efficiencies to date, by layering cells and using a unique combination of elements.

Research Results

Energy researchers invent error-free catalysts

March 4, 2020 sarah Jonas Catalyst, Chemical Reactions, Energy

A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Delaware, and University of California Santa Barbara have invented oscillating catalyst technology that can accelerate chemical reactions without errors. The groundbreaking technology can be incorporated into hundreds of industrial chemical technologies to reduce waste by thousands of tons each year while improving the performance and cost-efficiency of materials production.

Research Results

Could water solve the renewable energy storage challenge?

February 19, 2020 sarah Jonas Energy, Energy Demand, Hydropower, Renewable Energy

Seasonally pumped hydropower storage could provide an affordable way to store renewable energy over the long-term, filling a much needed gap to support the transition to renewable energy, according to a new study from IIASA scientists.

Research Results

Ultrasound device improves charge time and run time in lithium batteries

February 18, 2020 sarah Jonas Batteries, Electronics, Energy, Materials Science

Researchers at the University of California San Diego developed an ultrasound-emitting device that brings lithium metal batteries, or LMBs, one step closer to commercial viability. Although the research team focused on LMBs, the device can be used in any battery, regardless of chemistry.

Expert Pitch

Proposed NY pipeline undermines green energy goals

February 4, 2020 sarah Jonas Energy, Environment, New York

Announcement

A material benefit to society, Sandia scientist elected AAAS fellow

February 3, 2020 sarah Jonas Energy, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, Materials Science, metal organic frameworks (MOFs)

Sandia National Laboratories senior scientist Tina Nenoff was elected by her peers fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science “for outstanding accomplishments in nanoporous materials and technology through research and group effort leadership, particularly in ion and gas separations for energy and environmental applications.”

Research Results

DIII-D Researchers Use Machine Learning to Steer Fusion Plasmas Near Operational Limits

February 3, 2020 sarah Jonas Clean Energy, DOE Office of Science, Energy, Fusion, Fusion Energy Sciences, tokamak

Researchers at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility recently achieved a scientific first when they used machine learning calculations to automatically prevent fusion plasma disruptions in real time, while simultaneously optimizing the plasma for peak performance. The new experiments are the first of what they expect to be a wave of research in which machine learning–augmented controls could broaden the understanding of fusion plasmas. The work may help deliver reliable, peak-performance operation of future fusion reactors.

Research Results

New research could aid cleaner energy technologies

January 30, 2020 sarah Jonas 0 Comments Binghamton, Binghamton University, Catalysts, Clean Energy, Department Of Energy, Energy, Engineering, Materials, Materials Science, State University of New York at Binghamton, SUNY Binghamton

New research led by faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York, could aid cleaner energy technologies.

Research Results

Fungal decisions can affect climate

January 29, 2020 sarah Jonas 0 Comments Alaska, Carbon, Climate, Climate Change, Costa Rica, Ecology, Ecosystem, Energy, Environment, Forest, Fungi, soil, Soil Science

Research shows fungi may slow climate change by storing more carbon

Announcement

Former PPPL intern honored for outstanding machine learning poster

January 23, 2020 sarah Jonas 0 Comments Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Machine Learning, Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

The American Physical Society (APS) has recognized a former PPPL summer intern for producing an outstanding research poster at the world-wide APS Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) gathering last October. The student used machine learning to accelerate a leading PPPL computer code known as XGC.

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