Researchers report new thermoelectric material with high power factors Phys, November 14, 2016 Researchers reported this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that they have demonstrated a step forward in converting waste heat – from industrial smokestacks, power generating plants or even automobile tailpipes – into electricity. The work, using a thermoelectric compound composed of … Read more
Manuel A. Fontan, ERS, for Zondits Steam has an important role in our everyday lives, although we don’t always realize all that it’s doing for us. It can be found virtually in any industry or technology that requires heat, moisture, sterilization, and other crucial processes. Steam can be used to heat the water in our … Read more
Energy efficiency helps manufacturers save over NT$8.5 billion a year Focus Taiwan, August 29, 2016 The local manufacturing sector has reduced its costs by about NT$8.55 billion (US$269 million) per year during 2009-2015 period as it has adopted measures to improve energy efficiency, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said Monday. During that period, more … Read more
New Approach to Computing Boosts Energy Efficiency Phys, August 26, 2016 A European research project led by Chalmers University of Technology has launched a set of tools that will make computer systems more energy efficient – a critical issue for modern computing. Using the framework of the project programmers has been able to provide large … Read more
Daniel Stewart, ERS, for Zondits Compressed air is a notoriously expensive energy source but one that is widely used in commercial and industrial settings because of its ability to be easily stored, the high output-to-weight (and output-to-size) ratio of pneumatic actuators and tools, and the low maintenance requirements of end-use devices. As a general rule … Read more
Daniel Stewart, ERS, for Zondits Compressed air is often referred to as the “fourth utility” in commercial and industrial settings – joining water, electricity, and thermal fuels – because it has a wide variety of applications and is often essential to process and facility operation. Major advantages of compressed air as an energy source include … Read more
Atomic Sandblasters Could Replace Silicon Department of Energy, June 22, 2016 Virtually all electronics today rely on silicon computer chips, but this darling of the tech industry has drawbacks. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory may have found a pathway to a cheaper, lighter and more efficient replacement. Today, silicon computer chips are produced through a complicated, … Read more
Shopping for Energy Efficiency Energy Manager Today, July 19, 2016 Last week, PG&E posted a story on energy savings in groceries that profiled the Save Mart in Ripon, CA. The piece makes the point that groceries are among the most energy demanding of facilities, which means that they need to be flexible. That makes it logical that … Read more
Valerie Eacret, ERS, for Zondits Cannon Mountain, a ski area in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is making a number of significant changes to its snowmaking equipment and energy supply systems in preparation for the next ski season. The plans for the upgrades indicate that the operation will use only two-thirds of its current … Read more
Max Ma, ERS, for Zondits Despite the current dominance of vapor-compression technology in the refrigeration industry, an emerging alternative – magnetic refrigeration – is proving competitive in the first practical applications. Cooltech Applications S.A.S., a magnetic refrigeration system (MRS) developer, is partnering with refrigerated display case manufacturers to deliver the innovative technology to the commercial … Read more