Using Supercomputers To Explore Nuclear Energy

(ScienceDaily, January 25, 2010) — Ever wanted to see a nuclear reactor core in action? A new computer algorithm developed by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory allows scientists to view nuclear fission in much finer detail than ever before. A team of nuclear engineers and computer scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are developing the neutron transport code UNIC, which enables researchers for the first time to obtain a highly detailed description of a nuclear reactor core.  The code could prove crucial in the development of nuclear reactors that are safe, affordable and environmentally friendly. To model the complex geometry of a reactor core requires billions of spatial elements, hundreds of angles and thousands of energy groups — all of which lead to problem sizes with quadrillions of possible solutions.  Such calculations exhaust computer memory of the largest machines, and therefore reactor modeling codes typically rely on various approximations. Read more

Wind Power Grows 39% For The Year

By Jad Mouawad

(New York Times, January 26, 2010) Despite a crippling recession and tight credit markets, the American wind power industry grew at a blistering pace in 2009, adding 39 percent more capacity. The country is close to the point where 2 percent of its electricity will come from wind turbines.  While that is still a small share, it is up from virtually nothing a few years ago. Continued growth at such a fast pace could help the nation lower its emissions of the gases that cause global warming. Read more

Sweet Success For Sustainable Biofuel Research

(ScienceDaily, January  25, 2010) — Scientists have found a way to increase fermentable sugar stores in plants which could lead to plant biomass being easier to convert into eco-friendly sustainable biofuels. Their research is highlighted in the latest issue of Business, the quarterly highlights magazine of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Energy is released in a usable form from biomass when biodegradable matter such as wood or straw is burnt or fermented. Fuel for use in cars is produced by fermentation. To make the fermentation process more efficient and to maximise energy conversion a better understanding of the release of sugars from plant cell walls is crucial and researchers from the University of Cambridge are doing just that. Read more

Sites To Refuel Electric Cars Gain A Big Dose Of Funds

By Nelson D. Schwartz

(New York Times, January 25, 2010) Better Place, the closely watched start-up that hopes to create vast networks of charge spots to power electric cars, is set to receive a vote of confidence on Monday, in the form of $350 million in new venture capital.  Although Better Place will most likely require billions more in financing, this investment is an important step for the company and its chief, Shai Agassi, an Israeli-American software executive who founded the company in 2007. Read more

NASA Sky-Mapping Spacecraft Spots First New Asteroid

(Yahoo News, January 25, 2010) NASA’s latest sky-mapping space telescope has found an asteroid never-before-seen from Earth, the first of hundreds of new objects the telescope is expected to find. The near-Earth object, designated 2010 AB78, was discovered by NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, on Jan. 12. The space rock doesn’t appear to pose any threat to Earth, NASA officials said. Read more

Beyond The Basics: Laundry Detergent Makers And Their Raw Material Suppliers Are Sticking To Innovation Despite A Rocky Economy

By Michael McCoy

(Chemical & Engineering News, January 25, 2010) Back in June 2009, while the U.S. was still mired in recession, Procter & Gamble began test-marketing Tide Basic, a lower priced version of its storied laundry detergent. The no-nonsense addition to the nation’s leading detergent line seemed like a logical response to tough economic times—and one that the rest of the industry would surely follow. Read more

Engineers Find Significant Environmental Impacts With Algae-Based Biofuel

(ScienceDaily , January 25, 2010) — With many companies investing heavily in algae-based biofuels, researchers from the University of Virginia’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have found there are significant environmental hurdles to overcome before fuel production ramps up. They propose using wastewater as a solution to some of these challenges. These findings come after ExxonMobil invested $600 million last summer and the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it is awarding $78 million in stimulus money for research and development of the biofuel. Read more

Think To Tap RV Industry Skills

By Rhoda Miel

(Plastics News, January 15, 2010) Detroit – Norwegian carmaker Think is getting ready to begin making its City electric car in the U.S. next year, and is looking for local suppliers that will be ready to begin production of key parts, including exterior plastic body panels. “Our initial production in the U.S., if everything goes according to plan, will be in the first quarter of next year and we hope to be sourcing the body panels in the U.S. for that initial production,” said Keith Takasawa, director of product development for Think North America.  Oslo-based Think is now building cars for the European market from a plant in Finland. With $47 million worth of new backing from a range of investors including New York-based Ener1 Inc., the firm is ready to expand with a fully tested electric car for the U.S. market. Read more

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