Energy
Energy powers civilization. Developing technologies that can deliver abundant, sustainable energy is the challenge of our time and the promise of our future. Failure is not an option.
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Three founders look to the future at Freethink’s inaugural Great Progression event
The tech community came together for the launch of the Great Progression event series, curated by Peter Leyden and produced by Freethink.
The billionaire building space lasers to power Earth
Space startup Aetherflux has a mission straight out of sci-fi: harvest solar power in orbit and beam it down to Earth via laser.
The missing tech case for how we create an era of abundance
AI and other new technologies could make things that are costly and scarce today, cheap and abundant for all tomorrow.
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MIT’s new heat engine beats a steam turbine in efficiency
A new highly efficient heat engine with no moving parts could allow us to generate electricity from renewables year round.
Smart sensor tells you exactly when fruit will ripen — or spoil
Inside vast warehouses, millions of fruits sit and slowly ripen. To help packers know when fruit has got to go, a biotech startup is turning to small sensors.
An accidental discovery could change the world
A surprise discovery by Drexel University scientists could unlock an elusive technology: lithium-sulfur batteries.
New solar panels generate electricity long after the sun sets
Engineers at Stanford University have created a solar cell that generates electricity at night by exploiting the process of radiative cooling.
Lasers from space create unique new map of Earth’s forests
A lidar instrument on the ISS has been used to create a near-global 3D map of the Earth’s biomass for conservation and climate research.
Methane-eating bacteria discovery could help capture gas from the air
A new discovery could kickstart efforts to engineer methane-harvesting bacteria, fight greenhouse emissions, and “mine” the air.
Barcelona’s plan to “pedestrianize” its downtown could transform our cities
A new method for evaluating the potential for superblock transformations in different cities could increase their rollout across the globe.
Cheap molten salt battery can store energy for months
A low-cost molten salt battery that can store energy for months could allow us to tap into renewables year round.
Nuclear fusion hit a milestone thanks to better reactor walls
A team of scientists have shattered the record for the amount of energy produced during a controlled, sustained fusion reaction.
“Geogrid” helps cut home energy bills to just $1 per month
Austin’s Whisper Valley housing development uses geothermal heat pumps and solar panels to slash residents’ energy bills.
The West Coast wants to tap into the maple sugar market
Over 75% of the world’s maple syrup production is in Quebec. But with climate change threatening their seasons, West Coast producers are looking to tap in.
World’s first fully-recyclable wind turbine blade prototype debuts
Wind turbine blades are notoriously difficult to recycle, but researchers and industry players hope a new material design may change that.
Superjumbo jet engine flies on 100% sustainable aviation fuel
For the first time, an Airbus A380 superjumbo jet flew with 100% sustainable aviation fuel powering an engine.
Can my electric car power my house? Not yet for most drivers, but vehicle-to-home charging is coming
Want to help protect the environment, save money on gasoline, or try out the latest technology? Try powering your house with your car.
Combining crops and solar panels is allowing Kenya to “harvest the sun twice”
The panels are mounted high enough for crops to be grown underneath, sheltering them from the sun and allowing rainwater harvesting.
Radical new “Flying-V” plane aims to transform flight
The Flying-V airplane doesn’t look like anything you’ll find at today’s airports, but it could be the future of aviation.
Is the Salton Sea hiding enough lithium to power America?
A team of scientists plans to map out deep-earth lithium to see if it can sustainably supply America’s urgent needs.
Meet the social entrepreneurs shaking up solar
Climate change and a lack of access to clean energy intensify the difficulties faced by minorities. Fortunately, leaders with strong roots in their communities have devised unique strategies for long-term change.
Engineered bacteria convert CO2 into valuable industrial chemicals
Many industrial chemicals have a large carbon footprint. But scientists have engineered bacteria that ferments carbon dioxide from the air to make industrial chemicals
Starbucks is creating an EV “charger highway,” from Seattle to Denver
Starbucks is aiming to capitalize on the demand for electric vehicle infrastructure by installing chargers at up to 15 locations in the U.S.
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