EPFLの研究者らが、海水と淡水の混合からブルーエネルギーの生産効率を高める脂質コーティングナノポアを用いた新膜を開発した。この革新によりイオンがよりスムーズに通過し、既存技術の最大3倍の電力を生成する。この進展により、浸透圧エネルギーがより実用的な再生可能エネルギー源となる可能性がある。
ブルーエネルギー、または浸透圧エネルギーは、海水と淡水の自然な混合から電力を得るものである。海水のイオンがイオン選択膜を通って淡水側へ移動し、電力に変換可能な電圧を生み出す。しかし、従来のシステムはイオン輸送の遅さと膜内での電荷分離の悪さに悩まされてきた。
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A joint research team from Nankai University (Tianjin) and the Shanghai Institute of Space Power-Sources has developed a hydrofluorocarbon-based electrolyte for lithium-metal batteries, achieving up to 700 Wh/kg energy density at room temperature—more than double traditional electrolytes—and stable operation down to minus 70°C. Published in Nature on February 27, 2026, the breakthrough promises to double electric vehicle ranges to 1,000 km and has applications in aerospace.
Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed ultra-small pores in silicon nitride membranes that approach the scale of natural ion channels. These structures enable repeatable opening and closing through voltage-controlled chemical reactions. The advance could aid DNA sequencing and neuromorphic computing.
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Researchers at the University of Cambridge have observed electrons crossing boundaries in solar materials in just 18 femtoseconds, driven by molecular vibrations. This discovery challenges traditional theories on charge transfer in solar energy systems. The findings suggest new ways to design more efficient light-harvesting technologies.
Scientists at the University of Basel and ETH Zurich have reversed the polarity of a specialized ferromagnet with a focused laser beam, without heating the material. This achievement, detailed in Nature, combines electron interactions, topology, and dynamical control in a single experiment. The method hints at future light-based electronic circuits on chips.
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Japanese scientists have created a new spin-flip material that could increase solar panel efficiency by up to 130 percent. The technology also holds potential for OLED displays and lighting systems. Details emerged in recent reports on advancements in photovoltaic materials.