Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST en-us U of T Engineering researchers, working with colleagues from Carnegie Mellon University, have published new insights into how materials transfer heat, which could lead eventually to smaller, more powerful electronic devices. Integrated circuits and other electronic parts have been shrinking in size and growing in complexity and power for decades. But as circuits get smaller, it becomes mor]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST In the wake of the sobering news that atmospheric carbon dioxide is now at its highest level in at least three million years, an important advance in the race to develop carbon-neutral renewable energy sources has been achieved. Scientists with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have reported the first fully integrated nanosystem for ]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Inspired by the structure of moth eyes, researchers at North Carolina State University have developed nanostructures that limit reflection at the interfaces where two thin films meet, suppressing the "thin-film interference" phenomenon commonly observed in nature. This can potentially improve the efficiency of thin-film solar cells and other optoelectronic devices. Thin-film interference o]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Using a powerful combination of microanalytic techniques that simultaneously image photoelectric current and chemical reaction rates across a surface on a micrometer scale, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have shed new light on what may become a cost-effective way to generate hydrogen gas directly from water and sunlight.* Their quarry is a potentia]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin officials commissioned the first U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) grid-tied microgrid integrating both renewable resources and energy storage during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas. The project was funded by the DoD's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. The Fort Bliss grid-tied microgrid is designed to reduce overall greenho]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST China warned that the European Union's proposed levying of punitive duties on Chinese solar panels would "severely impair" bilateral trade ties. The comments Thursday by Ministry of Commerce spokesman Shen Danyang came after the European Commission agreed to a proposal to levy provisional duties ranging from 37-68 percent on Chinese solar panels, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua rep]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST China warned the European Union against escalating trade disputes Thursday, urging Brussels to drop plans to probe Chinese telecom products and impose hefty taxes on its solar panels. The two sides are embroiled in a series of tit-for-tat disputes on items ranging from agricultural products to steel tubes, highlighting growing trade tensions amid financial uncertainties around the world. ]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST An American utility company has begun the construction of the first solar power plant in electricity-starved Guinea-Bissau, officials said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Rui Duarte Barros on Tuesday laid the first stone of Suntrough Energy's $30 million (23 million euro) photovoltaic station on outskirts of the capital of the west African nation, his office said. "This facility will help u]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Leading nanoscientists created beautiful, tiled patterns with flat nanocrystals, but they were left with a mystery: Why did some sets of crystals arrange themselves in an alternating, herringbone style? To find out, they turned to experts in computer simulation at the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The result gives nanotechnology researchers a new too]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Most Americans want the U.S. to place more emphasis on developing solar power, recent polls suggest. A major impediment, however, is the cost to manufacture, install and maintain solar panels. Simply put, most people and businesses cannot afford to place them on their rooftops. Fortunately, that is changing because researchers such as Qiaoqiang Gan, University at Buffalo assistant professo]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Quantum dots are tiny nanocrystals with extraordinary optical and electrical properties with possible uses in dye production, bioimaging, and solar energy production. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have developed a way to introduce precisely four copper ions into each and every quantum dot. The introduction of these "guest" ions, called doping, opens up possibilities ]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions (DuPont) will highlight growth, innovation and collaboration in the solar industry at SNEC 2013, the largest global solar power exposition at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, China. Through its exhibit and a range of key speaking engagements, the company will highlight how materials can impact growth in the China solar market by improving the output]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck joined Sempra U.S. Gas and Power officials and community leaders to dedicate the 150-megawatt (MW) first phase of Sempra U.S. Gas and Power's Mesquite Solar facility. Located in Arlington, Ariz., about 40 miles west of Phoenix, Mesquite Solar 1 is part of Sempra U.S. Gas and Po]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST ReneSola has announced it provided modules for use in three community-scale solar power projects in Vermont in the last few months. The solar projects were installed by solar tracker manufacturer and project developer AllEarth Renewables, Inc. ("AllEarth Renewables"), who chose ReneSola panels for each project. Among the projects is a 150-kilowatt ("kW") solar farm in the Town of Williston]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST Nestle Purina PetCare has unveiled the Company's largest solar array at its Atlanta pet food manufacturing facility. The solar array, designed and installed by United Renewable Energy (URE), represents the latest step in Nestle Purina's commitment to environmental sustainability. Fairburn Mayor Mario Avery joined a Nestle Purina delegation, as well as representatives from the offices of U.]]> Fri, 17 MAY 2013 23:36:12 AEST