Green Technology

Collaborative, cross-university research program explores ways to control the density of quantum dots using nano-techniques, creating a more efficient solar cell.  …

…   “The colloidal quantum dots examined by Asbury and his team members yielded the highest electrical currents, and the highest overall power-conversion efficiency, ever seen in colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells.”   …

Via Penn State University: Quantum Dot Solar Cell.

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Fracking (hydraulic fracturing for oil in shale formations) is a contentious subject.  But the demand for energy - including natural gas in shale formations is rising.

Researchers from Penn State has found a way to use waste from industry in place of sand.  Currently sand for fracking comes from mines in the mid-west. 

The "new material" called PennProd would replace sand (lowering the carbon footprint of bringing in a non local raw material) and help eliminate industrial waste.

This process would treat industrial waste and use it in the fracking solution ... eliminating waste that would otherwise have to be landfilled.  Since a typical Marcellus Shale well would take 25 rail-cars or 5 million lbs of sand this eliminates a good amount of industrial waste.

PennProd is "...engineered to use waste from metabasalt mines. Heated to 3,000 degrees, the metabasalt forms into molten obsidian spheres. The glassy pellets are then heat-tempered into a hardened ceramic."

Via:  Bellingham Herald  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Penn State research explores the production of hydrogen from fuel cells using light and solar photosynthesis.  The research efforts are focusing on overcoming technical barriers to efficient hydrogen production, by varying materials light wavelengths, etc.  …

…   “While some researchers have used solar cells to make electricity or use concentrated solar heat to split water, Mallouk's process uses the energy in blue light directly.

So far, it is much less efficient than other solar energy conversion technologies.”   …

Via Penn State Univ: Photosynthesis.

Posted by Green Tech at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Penn State’s Solar Decathlon home, Natural Fusion, will become adopted by Bayer Material Science as its demonstration center for sustainable technologies.  …

…   “In its new capacity, this solar-powered, zero-emission building will serve as an energy modeling site, educational center and showcase for Bayer MaterialScience's EcoCommercial Building materials solutions.”   …

Via Penn State: Solar-powered home (Link).

Posted by Green Tech at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Penn State leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the nation among colleges and universities in the amount of green power it uses, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. " ...

Continue reading "Penn State green power leadership" »

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... "the university to consider a staged switch from one type of fuel to another over a few years. But he expects this shift to impact the university for decades to come. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Natural Fusion is the first residential project to utilize the Solyndra cylindrical photovoltaics, which captures more sunlight throughout the entire day than traditional flat panels, which can only capture the most intense sunlight in the middle of the day. It's a system called Green Roof Integrated Photovoltaics (GRIP V) where the properties of the green roof beneath the panels create greater efficiency in powering the house. " ...

Continue reading "Cylindrical Solar Photovoltaics to Power Penn State Natural Fusion Home at the Solar Decathlon" »

Posted by Green Tech at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)