Tiny sideways solar systems
17 August, 2016Engineers have created high-performance, microscale solar cells that are said to outperform comparable devices. The small cells capture current from charges moving side to side, or laterally — and generate significantly more energy than other sideways solar systems.
X-ray microscope technique lets scientists see inside lithium batteries
15 August, 2016Researchers have developed an X-ray microscopy technique that will help scientists see what's happening inside lithium-ion battery particles as they charge and discharge. Being able to see what's going on will help scientists better understand how the batteries work, and how to make them better.
Tiny 'transient' lithium-ion battery dissolves in water
10 August, 2016The latest development to come out of research into 'transient electronics' is a self-destructing lithium-ion battery capable of delivering 2.5 V and then dissolving within 30 minutes when dropped in water. It can power a desktop calculator for about 15 minutes.
Silicon-air battery achieves 1100 hours' running time
08 August, 2016For the first time ever, scientists have achieved more than 1100 hours' running time — that's almost 46 days — with a silicon-air battery. This type of battery is being heralded as a cost-effective alternative to current energy storage technology.
Inkjet-printed photograph is also a solar cell
08 August, 2016Researchers have successfully created inkjet-printed photographs that produce energy, paving the way for electrical devices to be powered by graphics and imagery on their surfaces.
SEMIKRON SEMIKUBE 1.5 kV air-cooled inverter
05 August, 2016 | Supplied by: Semikron DanfossFollowing the solar trend to increase DC voltage, SEMIKUBE extends its range with a 1300 A, 2-level air-cooled inverter that is able to operate up to 1500 V.
SEMIKRON CLASSICS Z5 rectifier stack
04 August, 2016 | Supplied by: Semikron DanfossSEMIKRON's Z5 rectifier stack is a high-current rectifier which, due to its modularity, can be used for different types of topologies and power ranges.
How to improve solid oxide fuel cells
28 July, 2016Researchers have determined a key step in improving solid oxide fuel cells — a promising clean energy technology that has so far struggled to gain wide acceptance in the marketplace.
A simple way to optimise rechargeable batteries
26 July, 2016Swiss researchers have developed a simple and cost-effective procedure for enhancing the performance of conventional Li-ion rechargeable batteries — and all it required was changing the battery's anode structure.
Vitamin-powered batteries store intermittent power
22 July, 2016We all know B vitamins are good for an energy boost, but, inspired by vitamin B2, Harvard researchers have discovered a new way to store energy: they've found a whole new class of high-performing organic molecules that enable large batteries to store electricity from energy sources like solar and wind power that can be intermittent.
World's tiniest wind farm: bacteria could create power sources for microscopic devices
13 July, 2016How's this for a new source of power? Scientists have shown that the movement of bacteria could be harnessed to create microscopic 'wind farms' to power tiny devices.
Schneider Electric Easergy electrical distribution network automation range
10 July, 2016 | Supplied by: Schneider ElectricSchneider Electric has announced the launch of Easergy, its range of products that includes solutions for electrical protection, control, monitoring and automation.
Tektronix PA3000 multiphase power analyser
08 July, 2016 | Supplied by: Vicom Australia Pty LtdThe PA3000 is a 1- to 4-channel AC/DC power analyser optimised for testing single- and multiphase high-efficiency AC/DC and DC/AC power supply designs. The multichannel power analyser features 10 mW standby power measurement capabilities and 1 MHz bandwidth.
Scientists harness flower power for more efficient solar cells
04 July, 2016Using nature as inspiration, researchers have developed solar cells with improved light harvesting. By reproducing rose petal epidermal cells and then integrating the transparent replicas into an organic solar cell, scientists achieved a relative efficiency gain of 12%.
Mornsun PV15/PV40-29Bxx series DC/DC converters for PV systems
02 July, 2016 | Supplied by: DLPC Pty LtdThe PV15/PV40-29Bxx series 15 and 40 W DC/DC converters provide 200–1500 VDC input voltage and high isolation voltage of 4000 VAC. Input voltage from 200 to 1500 VDC allows for longer strings to be used in the PV system.
