Cars That Think

NOVEMBER 25, 2023

As the technology improves, we see it enabling solar panels that work at night as well as day, powering remote sensors. But about a decade ago, our research group at Stanford designed a material that’s remarkably efficient at sending heat out to that reservoir of cold while preventing heating from both the sun and the environment.

Power 139

Power Powered Solar Energy 139

Cars That Think

FEBRUARY 24, 2024

So IEEE Spectrum is making one of its occasional forays into science fiction, with a short story by Karl Schroeder about the unexpected outcomes from building a computer out of planet Mercury. This strategy would also make it easier to harvest solar energy. There are materials stronger than steel, but molecular bonds have a limit.”

Mercury 135

Mercury Solar Light Building 135

Cars That Think

OCTOBER 26, 2021

In the case of the 2017 Tubbs Fire, the 2018 Camp Fire, and the 2020 August Complex Fires, high winds blasted flames through populated areas in the early morning hours while residents were sleeping. A hundred years ago, centimeter-scale tilt switches used a conductive blob of mercury rolling along a glass tube to close an electric circuit.

Stimulus Package 88

Stimulus Package Stimulus Mercury Power 88

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Honda’s “Green Path” approach, announced during a media tour of its operations in Ohio, seeks: To reduce or eliminate the use of substances of concern (SOCs) and scarce natural resources such as rhodium, palladium and platinum in the design and production of its vehicles. Design and production. SOCs are chemical (e.g., Earlier post.).

Honda 150

Honda Green North America Acura 150