Scientists at the research consortium CaloriCool® are closer than ever to the materials needed for a new type of refrigeration technology that is markedly more energy efficient than current gas compression systems. Currently, residential and commercial cooling consumes about one out of every five kilowatt-hours of electricity generated in the U.S., but a caloric refrigeration system …Continue reading “Two cool: a pair of patents filed on breakthrough materials for next-gen refrigerators”
This feature story was published by Ames Laboratory. Read the original story here. Creating materials in their solid state can be tricky, but offers some advantages over other methods. It typically involves subjecting the component elements to some type of mechanical force—such as stress, shear or strain—to drive a reaction. “You eliminate the need …Continue reading “Solid-State Processing: New paths to new materials”
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory will be the home of a new research consortium for the discovery and development of more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient refrigeration technologies, sponsored by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The consortium, named CaloriCoolTM, will pursue the development of alternative forms of refrigeration technologies, called caloric cooling, in partnership with the private sector and universities.
By Manuel Quinones, Environment & Energy Publishing reporter Originally appeared on Greenwire: Monday, February 13, 2012 A jump-start for the U.S. rare earth elements industry starts with a three-credit course at Iowa State University.Professor Vitalij Pecharsky’s class is aimed at developing a workforce to help strengthen U.S. production of rare-earth elements crucial to modern energy, transportation and communication …Continue reading “Rare Earths: Push to rebuild depleted U.S. workforce begins in the classroom”