Dye-sensitized solar cells used in low-light conditions could perform more consistently thanks to improved understanding of the role additives play in optimizing electrolytes.
Laptops and mobile phones, among other devices, could be charged or powered indoors, away from direct sunlight, using dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), which have achieved efficiencies of up to 34% at 1000 lux from a fluorescent lamp.
Copper-based electrolytes containing various combinations of additives have been used to achieve these efficiencies, with varying results to date.
The company rolled out the first of them for the U.S. on Thursday, a plug-in rechargeable Wrangler to go on sale in America, Europe and China early next year.
The Wrangler 4xe can go 25 miles (40 kilometers) on electricity before a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine takes over. Drivers can choose to have an engine-powered generator recharge the batteries (at a higher fuel consumption rate), although it would take about 2.5 hours at 45 to 55 mph (72.4 to 88.5 kilometers per hour) to fully replenish them.
A big driver of the new offerings is FCA’s obligation to meet fuel economy and pollution regulations in Europe, China, and the U.S. or face stiff fines or steep costs to buy electric vehicle credits from companies like Tesla.
Tesla boss Elon Musk has been told by Germany’s economy minister that he can have whatever he needs for his new electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Berlin.
Musk and Germany economy minister Peter Altmaier had an hour long meeting in Berlin on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the matter. “The main topics were Tesla’s billions of euros worth of investment in Germany,” the source said.
The duo, who first met six years ago, also spoke about Musk’s projects in areas like space flight and autonomous driving.
This is my second video presentation on the topic of GEO space-based solar power (astroelectricity). This was also given via video at a conference in Portugal on 22 Aug 2020. After a brief introduction to astroelectricity, the 24-minute presentation addresses how global astroelectricity will enable most of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals to be addressed and, especially, how affordable middle-class housing can be built. We are living in an exciting time (in a positive sense) where emerging technologies will enable us to push through these difficult times. The key is to undertake an orderly transition from fossil carbon fuels to astroelectricity and not be sidetracked by poorly developed “solutions” such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the Green New Deal.
The world needs a peaceful, orderly plan to transition from fossil carbon fuels to globally decentralized sustainable energy sufficient to enable worldwide middle-class prosperity. Nuclear power, wind power, and ground solar power—“solutions” often tied to the Green New Deal—cannot practically achieve this. Astroelectricity, generated in space by space-based solar power, can meet this need. This presentation builds on the “(Em)powering World Peace and Prosperity Using Astroelectricity” to discuss the global benefits that will arise from transitioning to astroelectricity.
In this presentation, astroelectricity is described followed by examples of how global astroelectricity will enable most of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals to be realized this century. The presentation ends with describing how astroelectricity, 3D-printing, and humanoid construction robots can revolutionize building affordable middle class homes to boost the world’s standard of living, ending energy impoverishment and substandard housing while providing high-quality science, technology, engineering, architecture, manufacturing and construction jobs worldwide.
This invited presentation was made, via video, at the 22 August 2020 Planet Masters conference in Portugal.
Straubel was an early founding member of Tesla and the company Chief Technology Officer until last summer.
He officially moved to an advisory role at the company, but it is believed to have been a symbolic move to soften the blow of Tesla’s longtime technology leader leaving the company.
As we reported at the time, Straubel was already becoming less present at Tesla months prior to the announcement and spending more time on his startup: Redwood Materials.
Polestar may be a young brand, but its direction is clear: be the “guiding star” for the Volvo and Geely Car Groups when it comes to technology, performance, and sustainability.
Just last year, its debut car, the hybrid-electric two-door Polestar 1, began its initial production run to satisfy approximately 150 pre-orders. Deliveries are now underway, but Polestar – naturally – is already sailing forth towards its next phase, the all-electric five-door fastback Polestar 2.
Polestar’s latest brings the young brand’s future into sharper focus, distinguishing itself from its sibling brand Volvo while quite possibly outshining the competition, too.
