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New ORNL non-precious metal catalyst shows promise as low-cost component for low-temperature exhaust aftertreatment

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Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a ternary mixed oxide catalyst composed of copper oxide, cobalt oxide, and ceria (dubbed “CCC”) that outperforms synthesized and commercial platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts for CO oxidation in simulated exhaust streams while showing no signs of inhibition—i.e.,

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PowerDriver simulations predict thermoelectric exhaust waste heat recovery output of 300W, -2.5% in fuel consumption; prototyping begins

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The European Union-funded PowerDriver project—a two-year, €3-million (US$4-million) research project initiated in February 2012 to turn exhaust gas waste heat into electricity using thermoelectric generator (TGEN) technology—has completed simulation work on on a potential automotive application.

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Berkeley Lab scientists generate low-cost, hybrid thermoelectric materials

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Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have constructed a low-cost, nanoscale composite hybrid thermoelectric material by wrapping a polymer that conducts electricity around a nanorod of tellurium—a metal coupled with cadmium in today’s most cost-effective solar cells. Earlier post.)

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ARPA-E awards U-M $1.9M to develop advanced low-cost high-efficiency engine; boosting, highly dilute combustion and 48V system

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million to a project to develop a high-efficiency engine system that integrates a compact micro-hybrid configuration of a supercharger with an electric waste heat recovery system and employs high rates of recirculated exhaust gases. If we improve the responsiveness of small engines, then we can push for more efficient cars at low cost.

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ClearFlame Engine Technologies partners with Alto Ingredients to demo ethanol-fueled MCCI in heavy-duty diesels; high efficiency, low emissions

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Startup ClearFlame Engine Technologies announced a partnership with Alto Ingredients, a leading producer of specialty alcohols and essential ingredients, to conduct pilot demonstrations of ClearFlame’s solution for diesel engines using low-cost ethanol in Class 8 trucks.

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Alphabet Energy closes $23.5M Series C; thermoelectric waste-heat-to-power for oil & gas and automotive

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Alphabet Energy, a startup commercializing low-cost, efficient thermoelectric materials for power generation leveraging technology initially developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory ( earlier post , earlier post ), has closed a $23.5-million million Series C round of financing.

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Viable exhaust-driven on-board ethanol reforming for improvements in fuel economy and emissions

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A team at Monsanto and colleagues at AVL Powertrain have successfully designed and demonstrated an onboard low-temperature ethanol reformer that can be driven by exhaust heat. Many papers have described high-temperature steam reforming of ethanol at around 600 °C but.this temperature is too high to be driven by engine exhaust.