Energies of the future More efficient organic photovoltaic cells, safer lithium-ion batteries, new hydrogen production methods inspired by hydrogen-munching bacteria: in the energy field, science is constantly opening up promising new avenues. Organic photovoltaic energy conversion turns to new materials Organic solar cells (OSCs) are the subject of intense competition in the Producing hydrogen at room to silicon. Now, researchers have shown that a significant increase in OSCsworldwide race to develop a cheap and environmentally-friendly alternative temperature voltage can be obtained by introducing asymmetry into the molecular structure of the active material. This work opens up new avenues for the Ideal for feeding fuel cells, hydrogen has captured the imagination design of increasingly efficient materials for organic photovoltaic energy of research teams across the world, and scientists are vying to conversion. find ways of producing it at low cost and under mild pressure and temperature conditions. Now, French researchers have developed Advanced Functional Materials September 2011 a novel hydrogen production process that works at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure. It relies on a new nano- oxyhydride catalyst based on cerium and nickel as well as ethanol from biomass—a major step forward in a highly competitive field. Angewandte Chemie International Edition August 2011 Hydrogen, a source of energy for bacteria in extreme environments An international study involving French researchers has revealed that, at hydrothermal vents, bacteria living in symbiosis with mussels are capable of using hydrogen as a source of energy to produce organic matter. Until now, only two sources of energy were known for such symbioses: reduced sulfur compounds and methane. These findings open up interesting prospects for the future of renewable energies, since the use of hydrogen by these bacteria is more straightforward and produces 7 to 18 times more energy than other sources. Nature August 2011 Mussels at hydrothermal vent fields in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are capable of using hydrogen as a source of energy. Left, at the Menez Gwen field (depth 820 meters). Below, at the Logachev field (depth 3,200 meters). 36 A year at CNRS 2011
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