Energy Efficiency

Dr. Matt Pharr is an assistant professor in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. Courtesy: Justin Baetge/Texas A&M Engineering Communications
Energy, Power January 24, 2020

Research into next-generation rechargeable batteries supported

The National Science Foundation is supporting Texas A&M researcher Dr. Matt Pharr in his work on developing improved rechargeable batteries.

By Steve Kuhlmann
The controls upgrade to the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant will include installation of new digital components for all control facilities, an updated and modern control room and robust new protection schemes to help protect against physical and cyberattacks. Courtesy: Burns & McDonnell
Project Management January 23, 2020

Electrical control system and modernization upgrade for power plant

Burns & McDonnell will serve as engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contractor for an electrical control system upgrade and modernization project for the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant.

By Mary Young
At left, a 3D model by Rice University materials scientists shows a phase boundary as a delithiating lithium iron phosphate cathode undergoes rapid discharge. At right, a cross-section shows the “fingerlike” boundary between iron phosphate (blue) and lithium (red). Rice engineers found that too many intentional defects intended to make batteries better can in fact degrade their performance and endurance. Courtesy: Mesoscale Materials Science Group/Rice University
Energy, Power January 21, 2020

The dangers of pushing batteries too hard

Simulations by Rice University researchers shows too much stress in widely used lithium iron phosphate cathodes can open cracks and quickly degrade batteries.

By Mike Williams
The standard way to test new battery designs is time-consuming and expensive. A new research method from Stanford University, MIT, and the Toyota Research Institute aims to change that. Image courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media
Energy, Power January 12, 2020

Researchers receive grant to enhance solar technology

Texas A&M researchers received $4.4 million to develop and demonstrate a cyber-resilient operation for power distribution systems with massively photovoltaic (PV) generation, such as rooftop solar panels.

By Deana Totzke
An on-skin device designed by engineers at the University of Missouri can achieve around 11 degrees Fahrenheit of cooling to the human body. The device also includes numerous human health care applications such as the ability to monitor blood pressure, electrical activity of the heart and the level of skin hydration. Courtesy: University of Missouri
Sensors, Vision January 9, 2020

Wearable air conditioning device developed to monitor human condition

University of Missouri engineers have developed an on-skin device that functions as wearable air conditioning and has numerous human health care applications such as the ability to monitor blood pressure and body temperature.

By Eric Stann
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media
Energy, Power January 5, 2020

Polymer may help Lithium-ion batteries become self-healing, recyclable

Engineers at the University of Illinois have developed a solid polymer-based electrolyte for Lithium-ion batteries that can self-heal after damage.

By Lois Yoksoulian
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media
Energy, Power December 22, 2019

Aqueous Lithium-ion battery improves safety

A team of engineers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) have found using aqueous electrolytes instead of the typical organic electrolytes for a lithium-ion battery doesn't reduce power or overall performance.

By Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
An illustration shows a battery’s cathode undergoing phase transition from iron phosphate (FP) to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) during charging. Simulations by Rice University scientists showed that adding defects — distortions in their crystal lattices — could help batteries charge faster. Courtesy; Kaiqi Yang, Rice University
Energy Efficiency December 12, 2019

Detours can improve batteries for electronics, solar energy storage

Scientists at Rice University’s Brown School of Engineering have discovered that placing specific defects could improve how lithium ions travel in batteries.

By Mike Williams
By automating absence of voltage verification and completing the entire verification process in 10 seconds, Panduit’s VeriSafe absence-of-voltage-tester (AVT) enables plants to work faster, safer, and more efficiently. Courtesy: Panduit
Safety November 30, 2019

Employing PtD as the first line of defense against control panel electrical hazards

Prevention through design (PtD) can help manufacturers keep workers safe from electrical hazards, which remains one of the most common dangers they face daily. Do you use the five-point hierarchy of risk?

By Martin Kronz
Courtesy: Chris Vavra, CFE Media
Industrial PCs November 18, 2019

Awards given for high-performance computing programs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces a $3.6 million investment in high-performance computing to help address key challenges in U.S. manufacturing, material, and mobility development.

By Department of Energy