Carbon, Energy and MIT

MIT study finds computational load for widespread autonomous driving could be a huge driver of global carbon emissions

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JANUARY 15, 2023

The data centers that house the physical computing infrastructure used for running applications are widely known for their large carbon footprint; they currently account for about 0.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, or about as much carbon as the country of Argentina produces annually, according to the International Energy Agency.

MIT

MIT Emissions Carbon Global

MIT engineers create 2D polymer that self-assembles into sheets

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Using a novel polymerization process, MIT chemical engineers have created a new two-dimensional polymer that self-assembles into sheets, unlike all other polymers which form one-dimensional chains. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT and the senior author of the new study. Gordiichuk, P., Ichihara, T.

Polymer

Polymer MIT Engine Building

MIT researchers propose mechanism for overcoming bottleneck in electroreduction of CO2

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JANUARY 14, 2022

Researchers at MIT have identified , quantified, and modeled a major reason for the poor performance of electroreduction processes to convert CO 2 to fuel or other useful chemicals. The findings could spur progress on developing a variety of materials and designs for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion systems. —Soto et al.

MIT

MIT CO2 Carbon Conversion

MIT, Brookhaven team develops simple method for stabilizing interfaces in solid-state lithium-ion batteries

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MARCH 11, 2022

Solid-state batteries could potentially not only deliver twice as much energy for their size, they also could virtually eliminate the fire hazard associated with today’s lithium-ion batteries. The findings are reported in an open-access paper in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. —Professor Yildiz.

Lithium Ion

Lithium Ion MIT Battery Batteries

MIT researchers develop optimized sulfidation separation process for rare earth and other key metals

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DECEMBER 19, 2021

New processing methods developed by MIT researchers could help ease looming shortages of the essential metals that power everything from phones to automotive batteries by making it easier to separate these rare metals from mining ores and recycled materials.

MIT

MIT Lithium Ion Gas-Electric Energy

ExxonMobil expands participation in MIT Energy Initiative’s low-carbon research; Mobility of Future study

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OCTOBER 22, 2019

ExxonMobil said extended its support of the MIT Energy Initiative’s (MITEI) low-carbon energy research and education mission by renewing its status as a founding member for another five years. With its renewed membership, ExxonMobil will expand its participation in MITEI’s Low-Carbon Energy Centers.

MIT

MIT Carbon Future Energy

MIT: hybrid cathodes could boost energy capacity of lithium-sulfur batteries

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MARCH 26, 2019

Researchers at MIT and in China are proposing a new class of dense intercalation-conversion hybrid cathodes by combining intercalation-type Mo 6 S 8 with conversion-type sulfur (HMSC) to realize a Li–S full cell. 1 and a volumetric energy density of 581?Wh?l Design strategy for jointly high gravimetric–volumetric energy density.

Lithium Sulfur

Lithium Sulfur MIT Li-ion Energy

MIT electrolyte enables ultra-high voltage Ni-rich cathodes in Li-metal batteries

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MARCH 26, 2021

MIT researchers and colleagues at two national laboratories have developed a sulfonamide-based electrolyte that enables stable cycling of a commercial LiNi 0.8 In a paper in the journal Nature Energy , the MIT team reports that a lithium-metal battery with the electrolyte delivers a specific capacity of >230?mAh?g Huang, M.,

Ni-Li

Ni-Li MIT Li-ion Battery

MIT researchers significantly increase lifetimes of solid oxide fuel cells by changing pH

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SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

MIT researchers have found that changing the pH of the system can increase the lifetimes of a range of technologies including fuel cells. An open-access paper on their work is published in the RSC journal Energy & Environmental Science. Fuel and electrolysis cells made of solid metal oxides are of interest for several reasons.

MIT

MIT Fuel Wind Hydrogen

Fusion Tech Finds Geothermal Energy Application

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MARCH 29, 2024

The upper 10 kilometers of the Earth’s crust contains vast geothermal reserves , essentially awaiting human energy consumption to begin to tap into its unstinting power output —which itself yields no greenhouse gasses. Quaise Energy , based in Cambridge, Mass., Quaise Energy , based in Cambridge, Mass.,

Fusion

Fusion Energy MIT Iceland

NREL, MIT, WSU team develops process to convert lignin to aromatic blendstock for 100% sustainable aviation fuel

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SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

Although electrification has shown promise toward reducing the carbon footprint of passenger vehicles, aviation remains dependent on hydrocarbon fuels due to their high energy density relative to even the most advanced battery technologies available today. A paper on their work is published in Joule. Stone et al.

MIT

MIT Convert Fuel Massachusetts

Contour Energy Systems Licenses MIT Carbon Nanotube Technology for Li-ion Battery Electrodes

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OCTOBER 21, 2010

Contour Energy Systems, Inc. has acquired a carbon nanotube technology that can significantly improve the power capability of lithium-ion batteries, through an exclusive technology licensing agreement with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Simon Jones, director of research and development at Contour Energy Systems.

Li-ion

Li-ion MIT Carbon Lithium Ion

MIT Looks Ahead to Hydrogen’s Aviation Future

Cars That Think

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

So while researchers and companies large and small invest in the zero-carbon future of the field, others are beginning to study what supplies and infrastructure on the ground would also be needed to make hydrogen aviation a reality. Hydrogen may be a good thing, but you gotta look at it from the full system level, right?,” asks Professor R.

MIT

MIT Future Hydrogen Chicago

MIT researchers propose subsea version of pumped hydro for renewable energy storage

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APRIL 25, 2013

Researchers at MIT are proposing using a variation on pumped hydroelectric systems for storage of electricity produced by offshore wind farms. The key to this Ocean Renewable Energy Storage (ORES) system is the placement of 30-meter-diameter hollow concrete spheres on the seafloor under the wind turbines. Earlier post.).

MIT

MIT Energy Storage Renewable Energy

MIT team synthesizes all carbon nanofiber electrodes for high-energy rechargeable Li-air batteries

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JULY 25, 2011

Gravimetric Ragone plot comparing energy and power characteristics of CNF electrodes based on the pristine and discharged electrode weight with that of LiCoO 2. A team at MIT, led by Carl V. They report on their study in a paper published in the RSC journal Energy & Environmental Science. Source: Mitchell et al.

MIT

MIT Recharge Carbon Lithium Air

Study finds the wettability of porous electrode surfaces is key to making efficient water-splitting or carbon-capturing systems

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MARCH 27, 2021

Now, a study at MIT has for the first time analyzed and quantified how bubbles form on these porous electrodes. Bubble growth and departure are ubiquitous phenomena in gas-evolving reactions, which govern the overall energy and mass transport. The MIT team also included Kyle Wilke, Shuai Gong, and Mingfu He. —Beta Gallant.

Water

Water Carbon MIT Gas

ARPA-E awarding $10M to 8 projects studying low-energy nuclear reactions

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FEBRUARY 18, 2023

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) announced $10 million in funding for eight projects working to determine whether low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR) could be the basis for a potentially transformative carbon-free energy source. Earlier post.)

Energy

Energy Michigan Massachusetts Universal

MIT researchers modify soil bacterium for biosynthesis of isobutanol using carbon

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AUGUST 21, 2012

Researchers at MIT have modified the soil bacterium Ralstonia eutropha to produce isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol (branched-chain higher alcohols). The work is funded by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). Earlier post.) Earlier post.)

MIT

MIT Carbon Waste Polymer

MIT study finds stiffer roadways could improve truck fuel efficiency

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JUNE 12, 2020

Now, a study by MIT researchers suggests that small changes in roadway paving practices could reduce that efficiency loss, at little to no cost. There is enough of a deflection in that surface that some amount of energy is expended to overcome the little divot that you create as you drive along. They’re not responding to us.

MIT

MIT Fuel Emissions Portland

DOE announces $11.5M in Phase 1 funding for carbon capture and storage program; ARPA-E FLECCS

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JULY 15, 2020

The US Department of Energy announced $11.5 million in funding for 12 projects as part of Phase 1 of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E’s) FLExible Carbon Capture and Storage (FLECCS) program. The technology uses 10-15% less energy than existing amine absorbents. Colorado State University.

Carbon

Carbon Gas-Electric Grid Gas

MIT Energy Initiative announces 2014 seed grant awards

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MARCH 30, 2014

The MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) announced its latest round of seed grants to support early-stage innovative energy projects. As in the past, the call for proposals welcomed submissions on topics across the spectrum of energy and related environmental research, with interdisciplinary research strongly encouraged.

MIT

MIT Grant 2014 Energy

MIT researchers develop oxygen permeable membrane that converts CO2 to CO

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NOVEMBER 28, 2017

MIT researchers have developed a new system that could potentially be used for converting power plant emissions of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, and thence into useful fuels for cars, trucks, and planes, as well as into chemical feedstocks for a wide variety of products.

MIT

MIT Convert CO2 Carbon

Eni signs new collaboration agreement with CFS to support development of commercial fusion energy

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MARCH 13, 2023

Eni and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), a spin-out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) signed a Collaboration Framework Agreement with the aim of accelerating the industrialization of fusion energy. Eni says CFS has the fastest pathway to commercial deployment of fusion energy.

Fusion

Fusion Commercial Energy MIT

MIT study finds air quality co-benefits of US carbon policies can significantly offset costs, depending upon the policy

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AUGUST 25, 2014

The human health benefits associated with improvements in air quality related to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions improvements can offset 26–1,050% of the cost of US carbon policies, depending upon the type of policy, according to a new study by a team from MIT. Carbon-reduction policies significantly improve air quality.

MIT

MIT Carbon Climate Climate Change

MIT team devises approaches for practical carbon-nanotube-coated carbon fiber; stronger, more electrically conductive

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MAY 20, 2013

MIT scientists demonstrated two approaches for growing CNTs on carbon fiber without degrading the fiber strength. Researchers at MIT have demonstrated two approaches for producing carbon fibers coated in carbon nanotubes without degrading the underlying fiber’s strength. Credit: ACS, Steiner et al.

Carbon Fiber

Carbon Fiber Carbon MIT Polymer

Lamborghini presents electric super sports car design concept, developed in collaboration with MIT labs

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NOVEMBER 7, 2017

Automobili Lamborghini, a member of the Volkswagen Group, unveiled its new design concept for a future Lamborghini electric super sports car: the “Lamborghini of the Terzo Millennio”, developed in collaboration with two MIT laboratories. Two MIT labs—the Dinca Research Lab, led by Prof. Energy storage systems.

MIT

MIT Carbon Fiber Design Concept

MIT researchers conclude fundamental changes in the US energy-innovation system are needed to meet challenges of climate change and energy supply

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DECEMBER 22, 2011

A three-year study by a team of researchers based at MIT has concluded that fundamental changes are needed in the US energy-innovation system. The study was carried out at the MIT Industrial Performance Center and involved faculty and students from nine MIT departments.

Climate Change

Climate Change MIT Climate Energy

RecycLiCo and Nanoramic Laboratories partner for lithium-ion battery recycling

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AUGUST 6, 2023

Nanoramic Laboratories was spun out of MIT in 2009; Nanoramic’s licensing business model is backed by 14 years of research with more than 200 patents granted and pending.

Lithium Ion

Lithium Ion Battery Batteries MIT

MIT researchers engineer stable copper-gold nanoparticle catalysts for lower energy consumption CO2 reduction

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APRIL 13, 2012

However, copper is easily oxidized; as a result, the metal is unstable, which can significantly slow its reaction with carbon dioxide and produce unwanted byproducts such as carbon monoxide and formic acid. Kendall Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, postdoc Zichuan Xu and Erica Lai ‘14.

MIT

MIT Engine Energy CO2

U Chicago, MIT study suggests ongoing use of fossil fuels absent new carbon taxes

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FEBRUARY 24, 2016

A paper by a team from the University of Chicago and MIT suggests that technology-driven cost reductions in fossil fuels will lead to the continued use of fossil fuels—oil, gas, and coal—unless governments pass new taxes on carbon emissions. We need both a policy like a carbon tax and to put more R&D money into renewables.

Chicago

Chicago MIT Tax Carbon

MIT Energy Initiative launches 3-year study on future of transportation; technology, fuel, infrastructure, policy, and consumer preference

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APRIL 11, 2017

As part of MIT’s five-year Plan for Action on Climate Change, the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) has launched a major study—“Mobility of the Future”—to explore how consumers and markets will respond to potentially disruptive technologies, business models, and government policies.

MIT

MIT Transportation Future Energy

MITEI Mobility Systems Center awards four projects for low-carbon transportation research

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AUGUST 20, 2020

The projects are spearheaded by faculty and researchers from across the Institute, with experts in several fields including economics, urban planning, and energy systems. To translate these behavioral changes into energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions estimates. Zhao serves alongside Professor William H.

Transportation

Transportation Carbon Hydrogen MIT

Shell Becomes Founding Member of MIT Energy Initiative with $25M Investment

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OCTOBER 15, 2010

MIT Energy Initiative Receiving (MITEI) is receiving $25M from Shell to fund the research and development of high-value, sustainable technologies designed to drive innovation in energy delivery. Those projects will focus on biofuels, advanced modeling, earth science, nanotechnology and carbon management.

MIT

MIT Energy 2002 Installation

MIT simulations suggest nanostructured topological materials could increase thermoelectric efficiency threefold

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JANUARY 21, 2018

MIT researchers have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of thermoelectric materials threefold by using “topological” materials, which have unique electronic properties. In the end, this could be a clean-energy way to help us use a heat source to generate electricity, which will lessen our release of carbon dioxide.

MIT

MIT Energy Clean Cleaning

MIT, Toyota team clarifies role of iodide in Li-air batteries

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AUGUST 15, 2017

Lithium-air (or lithium-oxygen) batteries potentially could offer three times the gravimetric energy of current Li-ion batteries (3500 Wh/kg at the cell level); as such, they are looked to a potential solution for long-range EVs. The new study, published in the RSC journal Energy & Environmental Science , explains these discrepancies.

MIT

MIT Li-ion Toyota Battery

Cornell team develops aluminum-anode batteries with up to 10,000 cycles

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APRIL 6, 2021

Friend Family Distinguished Professor of Engineering, have been exploring the use of low-cost materials to create rechargeable batteries that will make energy storage more affordable. A paper on the work is published in Nature Energy. This magnified image shows aluminum deposited on carbon fibers in a battery electrode.

Battery

Battery Batteries Carbon Fiber Lithium Ion

MIT and U. Texas report urges combining and scaling up carbon capture and storage with enhanced oil recovery

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MAY 25, 2011

A report from MIT and The University of Texas at Austin urges the US to accelerate efforts to pursue carbon capture and storage (CCS) in combination with enhanced oil recovery (EOR), a practice that could increase domestic oil production while significantly curbing emissions of carbon dioxide. -EOR highlighted in red.

MIT

MIT Oil Texas Carbon

MIT researchers identify viable anode material for molten oxide electrolysis for lower CO2 steel production

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MAY 12, 2013

Researchers at MIT have identified inexpensive metal alloy materials that can serve as anodes for molten oxide electrolysis (MOE)—an electrometallurgical technique that enables the direct production of metal in the liquid state from oxide feedstock. The challenges for iron production are threefold. Donald Sadoway, the John F.

MIT

MIT Production CO2 Carbon

MIT creates new Center for Graphene Devices and Systems

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SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has created the MIT/MTL Center for Graphene Devices and Systems (MIT-CG). This interdepartmental center, part of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL), brings together MIT researchers and industrial partners to advance the science and engineering of graphene-based technologies.

MIT

MIT Boston Massachusetts Universal

MIT researchers advancing development of supercritical water upgrading of heavy crude; lower cost, energy use and CO2

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JULY 18, 2015

Findings by MIT researchers could help advance the commercialization of supercritical water technology for the desulfurization and upgrading of high-sulfur crude oil into high-value, cleaner fuels such as gasoline without using hydrogen—a major change in refining technology that would reduce costs, energy use, and CO 2 emissions.

MIT

MIT Water Energy CO2

MIT team develops first supercapacitor made entirely from neat MOFs, without conductive additives or binders

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OCTOBER 11, 2016

Researchers at MIT have shown that a MOF (metal-organic framework) with high electrical conductivity—Ni 3 (2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene) 2 (Ni 3 (HITP) 2 )—can serve as the sole electrode material in a supercapacitor.

MIT

MIT Carbon Belgium Universal

Energy researchers: clean US hydrogen economy is within reach, but needs a game plan

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AUGUST 17, 2021

Addressing climate change requires not only a clean electrical grid, but also a clean fuel to reduce emissions from industrial heat, long-haul heavy transportation, and long-duration energy storage. Hydrogen and its derivatives could be that fuel, argues a commentary by four energy researchers in the journal Joule.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen Economy Clean Cleaning

MIT teams receiving $10M from TRI for next-gen battery materials

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APRIL 4, 2017

Three MIT-affiliated research teams will receive about $10M in funding as part of a $35M materials science discovery program launched by the Toyota Research Institute (TRI). Provided over four years, the support to MIT researchers will be primarily directed at scientific discoveries and advancing energy storage. Earlier post.)

MIT

MIT Battery Batteries Li-ion

Poll finds strong local and statewide support for extending operations of California’s Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

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MAY 22, 2022

Newly released polling shows strong local support for extending the operations of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, California’s largest source of carbon free energy generation. The poll was commissioned by Carbon Free California with input and support from Data for Progress.

Power

Power Powered California Carbon

MIT study finds computational load for widespread autonomous driving could be a huge driver of global carbon emissions

MIT engineers create 2D polymer that self-assembles into sheets

MIT researchers propose mechanism for overcoming bottleneck in electroreduction of CO2

MIT, Brookhaven team develops simple method for stabilizing interfaces in solid-state lithium-ion batteries

MIT researchers develop optimized sulfidation separation process for rare earth and other key metals

ExxonMobil expands participation in MIT Energy Initiative’s low-carbon research; Mobility of Future study

MIT: hybrid cathodes could boost energy capacity of lithium-sulfur batteries

MIT electrolyte enables ultra-high voltage Ni-rich cathodes in Li-metal batteries

MIT researchers significantly increase lifetimes of solid oxide fuel cells by changing pH

Fusion Tech Finds Geothermal Energy Application

NREL, MIT, WSU team develops process to convert lignin to aromatic blendstock for 100% sustainable aviation fuel

Contour Energy Systems Licenses MIT Carbon Nanotube Technology for Li-ion Battery Electrodes

MIT Looks Ahead to Hydrogen’s Aviation Future

MIT researchers propose subsea version of pumped hydro for renewable energy storage

MIT team synthesizes all carbon nanofiber electrodes for high-energy rechargeable Li-air batteries

Study finds the wettability of porous electrode surfaces is key to making efficient water-splitting or carbon-capturing systems

ARPA-E awarding $10M to 8 projects studying low-energy nuclear reactions

MIT researchers modify soil bacterium for biosynthesis of isobutanol using carbon

MIT study finds stiffer roadways could improve truck fuel efficiency

DOE announces $11.5M in Phase 1 funding for carbon capture and storage program; ARPA-E FLECCS

MIT Energy Initiative announces 2014 seed grant awards

MIT researchers develop oxygen permeable membrane that converts CO2 to CO

Eni signs new collaboration agreement with CFS to support development of commercial fusion energy

MIT study finds air quality co-benefits of US carbon policies can significantly offset costs, depending upon the policy

MIT team devises approaches for practical carbon-nanotube-coated carbon fiber; stronger, more electrically conductive

Lamborghini presents electric super sports car design concept, developed in collaboration with MIT labs

MIT researchers conclude fundamental changes in the US energy-innovation system are needed to meet challenges of climate change and energy supply

RecycLiCo and Nanoramic Laboratories partner for lithium-ion battery recycling

MIT researchers engineer stable copper-gold nanoparticle catalysts for lower energy consumption CO2 reduction

U Chicago, MIT study suggests ongoing use of fossil fuels absent new carbon taxes

MIT Energy Initiative launches 3-year study on future of transportation; technology, fuel, infrastructure, policy, and consumer preference

MITEI Mobility Systems Center awards four projects for low-carbon transportation research

Shell Becomes Founding Member of MIT Energy Initiative with $25M Investment

MIT simulations suggest nanostructured topological materials could increase thermoelectric efficiency threefold

MIT, Toyota team clarifies role of iodide in Li-air batteries

Cornell team develops aluminum-anode batteries with up to 10,000 cycles

MIT and U. Texas report urges combining and scaling up carbon capture and storage with enhanced oil recovery

MIT researchers identify viable anode material for molten oxide electrolysis for lower CO2 steel production

MIT creates new Center for Graphene Devices and Systems

MIT researchers advancing development of supercritical water upgrading of heavy crude; lower cost, energy use and CO2

MIT team develops first supercapacitor made entirely from neat MOFs, without conductive additives or binders

Energy researchers: clean US hydrogen economy is within reach, but needs a game plan

MIT teams receiving $10M from TRI for next-gen battery materials

Poll finds strong local and statewide support for extending operations of California’s Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

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