Energy

Artist’s rendering of a copper nanoparticle as it evolves during CO2 electrolysis: Copper nanoparticles (left) combine into larger metallic copper “nanograins” (right) within seconds of the electrochemical reaction, reducing CO2 into new multicarbon products.

Scientists reveal how copper catalyst converts CO₂ into liquid fuels

02/16/23 — Berkeley Lab: Berkeley engineers capture real-time movies of copper nanoparticles as they convert carbon dioxide and water into renewable fuels and chemicals, gaining valuable insights

Energized for real-world impact

01/25/23 — Founded by Berkeley Engineering alumni, Gridware uses sensors to tackle the threat of wildfires

Graphic collage depicting an air conditioning unit, the earth, a spilled salt container, an arm spraying an aerosol can and various ions and arrows in front of an orange and blue gradient background.

Scientists develop a cool new method of refrigeration

01/04/23 — Berkeley Lab: Berkeley engineers Drew Lilley and Ravi Prasher hope ionocaloric cooling can someday replace current refrigerants and provide safe, efficient cooling and heating for homes

hohlraum converting laser energy into X-rays

Berkeley Engineering alumni help achieve decades-long quest for nuclear fusion

12/22/22 — Andrea Kritcher (M.S.’07, Ph.D.’09 NE) and Brian Spears (Ph.D.’04 ME) share their thoughts on the future of fusion research and how their time at Berkeley shaped their careers

Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees Jiachen Li and Alison Borklund

Two from Berkeley Engineering named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list

12/09/22 — Magazine cites Ph.D. candidate Jiachen Li for work on an all-season, smart-roof coating, and MEng alumna Alison Burklund of Nanopath for diagnostics that speed treatment of pelvic and gynecologic infections

Photo illustration of the process for converting carbon dioxide into solar fuels

To battle climate change, scientists tap into carbon-hungry microorganisms for clues

11/30/22 — Berkeley Lab: Scientists led by Peidong Yang have developed a nature-inspired technique for converting carbon dioxide into solar fuels

Electron microscope images show the precise atom-by-atom structure of a barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin film sandwiched between layers of strontium ruthenate (SrRuO3) metal to make a tiny capacitor.

Ultrathin capacitor could enable energy-efficient microchips

06/24/22 — Berkeley Lab: Scientists led by materials science professor Lane Martin turn century-old material into a thin film for next-gen memory and logic devices

An artist’s rendering of a crewed Martian biomanufactory powered by photovoltaics

Solar beats nuclear at many potential settlement sites on Mars

04/27/22 — The high efficiency, light weight and flexibility of the latest solar cell technology means photovoltaics could provide all the power needed for an extended mission to Mars, or even a permanent settlement there, according to a new analysis led by Berkeley engineers

Graphic illustration of lithium ion crystal structure

Researchers discover pathway to safer lithium-ion batteries

04/13/22 — New study describes materials that offer stability and high conductivity in solid-state batteries

Illustration of engineered crystal structures that display an unusual physical phenomenon known as negative capacitance.

Engineered crystals could help computers run on less power

04/07/22 — New negative capacitance material reduces energy needed to control advanced silicon transistors

Civil and environmental engineering graduate students examine sediment extracted from a borehole being drilled near University House.

Campus drills 400-foot borehole to explore geothermal heating

03/30/22 — If successful, a geothermal heat pump system to help heat and cool buildings more efficiently could become part of UC Berkeley’s plan to decarbonize the campus

petri dish with smart roof coating samples

New smart-roof coating enables year-round energy savings

12/16/21 — Berkeley Lab: Rooftop material that automatically switches between radiative cooling in the summer to heat retention in the winter could lower household energy costs

Daniel Kammen named senior adviser to USAID

10/21/21 — Kammen, who holds joint appointments in energy and resources, public policy and nuclear engineering, will serve as senior adviser for energy, climate and innovation for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

With a damp TV, Berkeley engineers demonstrate the potential of a green energy harvester

09/06/21 — Researchers report that moisture-induced energy harvesting could be a potential new source of power, particularly in areas of naturally high humidity

It that a flying saucer? Nope, it’s CalSol’s Zephyr

07/19/21 Bay Area News Group — The CalSol student team departs in a week for the Midwest, solar car in tow, to compete in the 5-day, 1,000-mile American Solar Challenge — the team’s first return to competition after more than a year sidelined by the pandemic