article thumbnail

UCLA team proposes non-photosynthetic biological conversion of CO2

Green Car Congress

Most of us naturally associate biological CO 2 conversion with photosynthesis in plants and algae. Furthermore, the maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion by photosynthesis is 5%, while typical solar panel efficiency reaches 20%. Their paper is published in the journal Joule. Acetogenic microbes (e.g., an and Park.

article thumbnail

ARPA-E awarding $30M to 12 hybrid solar projects; conversion and storage

Green Car Congress

Under the FOCUS program, projects will develop advanced solar converters that turn sunlight into electricity for immediate use, while also producing heat that can be stored at low cost for later use as well as innovative storage systems that accept both heat and electricity from variable solar sources. Cogenra Solar, Inc.

Solar 300
article thumbnail

Researchers propose testing standards for particulate photocatalysts in solar fuel production

Green Car Congress

Utilization of renewable solar energy is crucial for addressing the global energy and environmental concerns and achieving sustainable development. In this regard, photocatalytic water splitting has attracted significant interest as a cost-effective means to convert sustainable solar energy into valuable chemicals. Credit: DICP.

Solar 418
article thumbnail

New $30M ARPA-E program to develop new solar conversion and storage technologies; targeting higher solar penetration in mix

Green Car Congress

The primary goal of this funding opportunity ( DE-FOA-0000949 ) is to provide disruptive new solar conversion and storage technology options to enable a much higher penetration of solar energy generation into the US energy mix. a) Hybrid solar converter (award Categories 1A and 1B).

Solar 290
article thumbnail

Israeli company reports successful stage 1 testing of solar CO2-to-fuels technology

Green Car Congress

Israel-based NewCO2Fuels (NCF), a subsidiary of GreenEarth Energy Limited in Australia, reported completion of stage 1 testing of its proof-of-concept system for the conversion of CO 2 into fuels using solar energy. Driving the system using a solar-based heat source (100% renewable). Concept of the NCF process. Click to enlarge.

Solar 366
article thumbnail

Panasonic develops highly efficient artificial photosynthesis system with gallium nitride semiconductor for conversion of CO2 to formic acid

Green Car Congress

Panasonic has developed an artificial photosynthesis system using a gallium nitride photoelectrode and a metal catalyst which uses sunlight to convert CO 2 mainly to formic acid (an important intermediate in chemical synthesis) at an efficiency (solar energy to chemical energy) of 0.2%—a —a comparable level to that of plants.

article thumbnail

Compass Minerals confirms successful conversion testing of Great Salt Lake lithium brine resource to battery-grade lithium hydroxide

Green Car Congress

Compass Minerals, a leading global provider of essential minerals, announced the successful, third-party conversion testing of its lithium brine resource into both lithium carbonate and battery-grade lithium hydroxide, representing a significant milestone in its previously announced lithium development project. Source: Compass Minerals.