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Converting Coal Power Plants to Nuclear Gains Steam

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Such a conversion has never been done, but the report is another sign that the idea is gaining momentum—if with the slow steps of a baby needing decades to learn to walk. “A Conversion backers say the process has benefits for everybody involved. On 13 September, the U.S. However, there is one project that has made some headway.

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Advances in the conversion efficiency of thermoelectric materials

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A collaboration including researchers from Boston College, MIT, the University of Virginia and Clemson University have achieved a peak ZT (thermoelectric figure of merit) of 0.8 The high thermoelectric figure of merit is expected to enable the conversion of 14% of heat waste to electricity. The study by Biswas et al. at ~800 K.

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NETL investigating researching chemistries for large-scale battery- and supercapacitor-based grid energy storage systems

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This includes research on appropriate anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes for magnesium (Mg)-, sodium (Na)-, and lithium (Li)-based batteries and novel transition metal oxide- and nitride-based supercapacitor electrode materials. Sodium is another element that is less expensive than lithium. Earlier post.) Novel cathodes and anodes.

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ARPA-E awards $55M to 18 projects in two new programs: TERRA for transportation energy and GENSETS for distributed generation

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West Virginia University Research Corporation. Oscillating Linear Engine and Alternator West Virginia University Research Corporation, along with its research partners, will develop a generator for CHP systems based on a crankless, linear, free-piston internal combustion engine that drives a permanent magnet linear electric generator.

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ARPA-E Awards $151M to 37 Projects for Transformative Energy Research

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Eagle Picher, in partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop a new generation of high energy, low cost planar liquid sodium beta batteries for grid scale electrical power storage applications. Towards Scale Solar Conversion of CO 2 and Water Vapor to Hydrocarbon Fuels. DOE grant: $7,200,000).

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