New Semiconductor Splits Hydrogen From Water Using Solar Energy

from Angewandte Chemie (International ed.) [1433-7851] Ritterskamp yr:2007 vol:46 iss:41 pg:7770 -7774

This isn’t exactly brand new, but I think very important.
A researcher at the Max Planck institute named Martin Demuth an colleagues have developed a semiconducting material called titanium disilicide (TiSi2). When this material is suspended in water and exposed to sunlight, it splits water [...]

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Congressman Bart Gordon’s Response to the U.S.-Japan Disparity in Lithium-ion Battery Funding

Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN)
Bart Gordon (D-TN) is the Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology. This is the same committee that recently heard testimony from lithium-ion battery experts, including Denise Gray from GM (see post).
Mr. Gordon is currently drafting a bill which he plans to introduce to the house at a yet unspecified [...]

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Congressional Hearing on Lithium-Ion Battery: GMs Denise Gray, and Johnsons Mary Ann Wright Testify

Yesterday we discussed that Japan was funding lithium-ion research 10-fold more than what the U.S. government was. Our reader NeutronFlux promptly pointed out that at that very moment, the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment was holding a hearing about Energy Storage Technology, including vehicular applications.
Unfortunately, folks, we cannot [...]

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EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Charles Gassenheimer, Vice-Chair of Ener1, EnerDel Lithium-Ion Battery Parent Company

As we have previously discussed, the U.S. government awarded research grants to 5 U.S. top lithium-ion battery producers for developing plug-in electric car battery packs. We have had previous discussions with executives from A123 as well as Compact Power Inc., the two companies with Chevy Volt contracts.
Now, I had the chance to chat with [...]

 

 EnerDel Interview: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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GM-Volt EXCLUSIVE Interview: Tom Schneider, Chair IEEE-USA Plug-in Vehicle Task Force

The IEEE-USA is the predominant U.S. organizing body of practicing electrical engineers. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Their membership includes over 50% of all practicing electrical engineers in the U.S., which amounts to 215,000 individuals. They are responsible for publishing ~25% of the nations technical literature, and focus on [...]

 

 Tom Schneider 9_07: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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New Harris Poll: More Than 25% of Car Owners Plan PHEV as Next Car

In the AutoTECHCASTSM study, 27% of U.S. vehicle owners said they were likely (13%), very likely (8%) or extremely likely (6%) to make a PHEV their next vehicle.
When told there would be a $3,200 price premium, the consideration rate dropped to a total of 16%.
Males and females were equally likely to include the technology in [...]

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U.S. Government Invests 20 Million in 5 PHEV Lithium-Ion Battery Companies

Lithium-ion battery powered plug-in electric cars like the Volt are the next phase in the history of automotive transportation. The cars are not really here yet, but on the very verge of widespread and massive production with the plug-in Saturn VUE and the Chevy Volt leading the way.
The U.S. government supports this transition, and [...]

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Bob Lutz: Chevy Volt Mules Will Be Old Malibus

Apparently GM invited a group of bloggers to a round-table sit down with GM Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz. Some of the interview is reported on Jalopnik (link) and includes some Volt-talk.
I wasn’t invited, but since it took place on the West Coast and I’m on the East Coast, perhaps that is why? Maybe next [...]

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Exclusive: Interview/Podcast With Chevy Volt Chief Engineer on Current State of Volt Development

Today has been a very productive one when it comes to news about the Chevy Volt. I had the opportunity to discuss these and other issues with Mr. Nick Zielinski who is the Vehicle Chief Engineer for the Chevy Volt. The full audio podcast follows below.
First of all, Mr. Zielinksi was able to [...]

 

 Nizk Zielinksi Interview 8_9_07: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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New Government Study Shows PHEV Use Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Oil Use

Yesterday the Electric Power Research Institute and the National Resources Defense Council released a comprehensive assessment which found that widespread use of plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV) could be expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve ambient air quality.
The 3 key findings:

By 2050, 450 million tons less greenhouse gas would be produced.
The power grid can [...]

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