Latest news with #thermoelectric
Gizmodo
5 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Researchers Harness Black Metal to Turbocharge Solar Power
Several years ago, an optics expert developed a technique for turning shiny metals pitch black. The trick resulted in a material perfectly suited for absorbing sunlight—so much so that generators built with it produced 15 times more power than comparable devices. The team used black metal to develop a new design for solar thermoelectric generators. Known as STEGs, they can convert various types of thermal energy into electricity. However, technological limitations significantly curbed their potential, with energy output converting just 1% of sunlight into electricity—mediocre compared to about 20% for residential solar panel systems. The new design, published on August 12 in Light: Science & Applications, overcomes this challenge by allowing for very precise control over each layer of the device, some of which were constructed from black metal. STEGs normally have 'hot' and 'cold' sides sandwiched by semiconductor materials, and the temperature difference between the two sides generates electricity through a phenomenon called the Seebeck effect. For decades, the focus was on improving the semiconductor materials to better control the heat difference, as Chunlei Guo, the study's senior author and material scientist at the University of Rochester, explained in a statement. That approach had limited success, which was why Guo—the creator of black metal technology—explored other elements, namely these hot and cold sides. Guo's design hinged on three fabrication strategies that relied heavily on lasers. First, his team treated tungsten with femtosecond laser pulses—ultrashort beams flashing the metal at scales of one quadrillionth of a second—to transform it into black metal. Specifically, they engineered the material so that it would be optimized to absorb sunlight while minimizing the possibility of unwanted heat losses. Next, they covered the treated tungsten with a piece of plastic, making a 'mini greenhouse' that maximized the hot side's capacity to trap heat, Guo said. Finally, to balance things out, the team once again used femtosecond lasers to manufacture a special heat sink from aluminum. These nanostructures doubled the cooling performance of the cold side, the researchers explained. To validate their design, the team performed a simple experiment in which they tested this thermal management design by lighting LEDs. As expected, their setup allowed the STEG to fully power the LED at maximum brightness at considerably lower illumination levels, the researchers wrote in the study. The device is also compact and relatively lightweight, meaning it could 'potentially power microelectronic devices, such as autonomous sensors for weather monitoring and agriculture applications, and smart devices,' the study states. For fans of metal music and solar power, this research should come as no surprise. When it comes to clean energy, black metal really does go hard.
The Independent
08-08-2025
- The Independent
I tried this wearable air conditioner during a heatwave – it was a total saviour
The reon pocket pro works similarly to its predecessor: it sits in the base of your neck and uses thermoelectric cooling or heating to regulate your body temperature. Instead of blowing cold air or pumping heat, the plate gets cold or warm on contact with your skin. The idea is that by cooling or heating your upper spine – where blood flows close to the surface – the device helps your whole body feel more comfortable. It kind of feels like an ice pack moulded against your skin, or a warm compress. What sets the pro apart is the upgraded hardware. It's larger than the pocket 5 and has a new curved design with a better fit. It's still light at 194g, but the extra surface area means more of your skin stays in contact with the cooling plate to improve heat transfer. There are now two heating and cooling modules – what Sony calls 'dual thermo modules' – inside instead of one, which effectively doubles the surface area and makes the temperature changes more noticeable. Rather than simply running both at once, the modules alternate with varying intensity to maintain more consistent cooling over time. Interestingly, Sony says that the newly developed fan delivers roughly twice the airflow of the reon pocket 5, helping to dissipate heat more effectively while keeping noise levels low. The pro ships with a single adjustable neckband that bends to fit the contour of your neck, making it more comfortable and secure than before. Sony says it's added a flexible silicone extension at the tips and a thicker tube around the wire frame to improve comfort and support during longer wear. You also get two airflow covers in the box. There's a shorter one for T-shirts and a longer one for collared shirts to help direct heat and airflow, depending on what you're wearing. While there's no official IP rating, the device is splash-resistant, with a rubber cap covering the USB-C charging port. You can control it manually via the device itself or use the reon app. Both let you switch between cooling and warming modes, as well as choose your preferred intensity. But the pro also supports a smart auto mode that reacts to your body and environment. It comes bundled with the reon Ttg, a small wearable sensor that clips onto your shirt, feeding environmental data back to the app. Together, the system can adjust the temperature depending on the degrees outside, the humidity, and whether you're indoors or out. It even knows when you're wearing it, automatically switching on or off when it detects contact with your neck, like how wireless earbuds pause when you take them out of your ears. Sony's also tweaked the smart cool mode to react more smoothly to changes in temperature and humidity, so it feels less like a setting and more like something that's just quietly working in the background. Sony claims the pro can last up to 15 hours on smart mode and up to 34 hours at the first level of the cooling setting. In my limited time with the device so far, with use over a couple of days, the cooling kicks in fast within a few seconds of turning it on. The plate started to chill my upper back almost immediately, giving some cool relief to my body. The fan is quiet – Sony says it's 50 per cent quieter than the pocket 5. It was barely audible even in a silent room, and the curved design makes it feel more stable and natural than I expected. It's also surprisingly discreet. It sits flush under a shirt or T-shirt and stays put thanks to the malleable neckband that's included in the box. I pulled it out in the pictures just so you can easily see it, but it can be tucked under your shirt so it's not seen. It's not going to cool your whole body like a proper air conditioner, but for targeted comfort while commuting, working, or even just sitting around at home, it makes a noticeable difference, and is way more effective than a fan that just blows hot air at my face. This one actually cooled my body. I've got the new reon pocket pro to hand right now, and I'll be taking it on the sweaty Jubilee Line to continue to test its effectiveness. Will it be better than one of those dorky wearable neck fans? My full review is coming soon.
Reuters
24-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Edison expects to reach upper end of profit guidance in 2025
July 24 (Reuters) - Italy's energy company Edison ( opens new tab on Thursday forecast it will achieve the upper end of its 2025 core profit (EBITDA) target at 1.4 billion euros ($1.65 billion), supported by strong cash flow and increased investment in renewable energy. The Italian subsidiary of France's EDF posted a 736 million euros core profit in the first six months if 2025, down from 967 million recorded in the same period last year. Despite less favorable market conditions, Edison said it achieved growth in its thermoelectric sector and energy services. Renewables and customer-related activities accounted for 50% of its EBITDA, in-line with a 70% target by 2030. Sales revenues grew to 9.45 billion euros in the first half from 7.27 billion euros a year ago, boosted by energy price increases and higher volumes. Hydroelectric production fell back in line with the historic average. Volumes in 2025 were down 29.5% compared to the first half of 2024. ($1 = 0.8492 euros)
The Independent
30-06-2025
- The Independent
Forget a fan, I tried a wearable air conditioner and it's a heatwave hero
The reon pocket pro works similarly to its predecessor: it sits in the base of your neck and uses thermoelectric cooling or heating to regulate your body temperature. Instead of blowing cold air or pumping heat, the plate gets cold or warm on contact with your skin. The idea is that by cooling or heating your upper spine – where blood flows close to the surface – the device helps your whole body feel more comfortable. It kind of feels like an ice pack moulded against your skin, or a warm compress. What sets the pro apart is the upgraded hardware. It's larger than the pocket 5 and has a new curved design with a better fit. It's still light at 194g, but the extra surface area means more of your skin stays in contact with the cooling plate to improve heat transfer. There are now two heating and cooling modules – what Sony calls 'dual thermo modules' – inside instead of one, which effectively doubles the surface area and makes the temperature changes more noticeable. Rather than simply running both at once, the modules alternate with varying intensity to maintain more consistent cooling over time. Interestingly, Sony says that the newly developed fan delivers roughly twice the airflow of the reon pocket 5, helping to dissipate heat more effectively while keeping noise levels low. The pro ships with a single adjustable neckband that bends to fit the contour of your neck, making it more comfortable and secure than before. Sony says it's added a flexible silicone extension at the tips and a thicker tube around the wire frame to improve comfort and support during longer wear. You also get two airflow covers in the box. There's a shorter one for T-shirts and a longer one for collared shirts to help direct heat and airflow, depending on what you're wearing. While there's no official IP rating, the device is splash-resistant, with a rubber cap covering the USB-C charging port. You can control it manually via the device itself or use the reon app. Both let you switch between cooling and warming modes, as well as choose your preferred intensity. But the pro also supports a smart auto mode that reacts to your body and environment. It comes bundled with the reon Ttg, a small wearable sensor that clips onto your shirt, feeding environmental data back to the app. Together, the system can adjust the temperature depending on the degrees outside, the humidity, and whether you're indoors or out. It even knows when you're wearing it, automatically switching on or off when it detects contact with your neck, like how wireless earbuds pause when you take them out of your ears. Sony's also tweaked the smart cool mode to react more smoothly to changes in temperature and humidity, so it feels less like a setting and more like something that's just quietly working in the background. Sony claims the pro can last up to 15 hours on smart mode and up to 34 hours at the first level of the cooling setting. In my limited time with the device so far, with use over a couple of days, the cooling kicks in fast within a few seconds of turning it on. The plate started to chill my upper back almost immediately, giving some cool relief to my body. The fan is quiet – Sony says it's 50 per cent quieter than the pocket 5. It was barely audible even in a silent room, and the curved design makes it feel more stable and natural than I expected. It's also surprisingly discreet. It sits flush under a shirt or T-shirt and stays put thanks to the malleable neckband that's included in the box. I pulled it out in the pictures just so you can easily see it, but it can be tucked under your shirt so it's not seen. It's not going to cool your whole body like a proper air conditioner, but for targeted comfort while commuting, working, or even just sitting around at home, it makes a noticeable difference, and is way more effective than a fan that just blew hot air at my face. This one actually cooled my body. I've got the new reon pocket pro to hand right now, and I'll be taking it on the sweaty Jubilee Line to test its effectiveness. Will it be better than one of those dorky wearable neck fans? My full review is coming soon.
