Happy YILversary! I started posting YILs (Yesterday I Learned) 2 years ago to ensure I learned something new every day. They evolved into this convo that I get to enjoy with you! What would make it more enjoyable?

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-Steve

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Toasty Bricks

A brave little toaster could change the way we store energy. Though Rondo Energy’s Heat Battery warms bricks instead of Pop-Tarts.

• Renewable energy is converted to heat at 100% efficiency

• Clay bricks store this heat in blast stoves

• Energy is then pulled out at 98% efficiency

Bonus points: The bricks are expected to last 40-50 years. These Heat Batteries aim to reduce global CO2 emissions by 15% in 15 years by providing industrial-level energy storage. No word on if they can also toast fun designs on your energy bill.

Brave renewable toaster

ZEM ZEM

Students in the Netherlands designed a truly carbon-negative car. ZEM is an electric vehicle that eats CO2 for breakfast…or any meal, really.

• Captures 2kg of CO2 per 20k miles

• Body panels were 3D printed from recycled plastic

• Filter fills up every ~200 miles

Improvements in filter design could allow emptying at charging stations to maximize carbon capture. In actively removing CO2 by driving, ZEM offsets its battery recycling “cost” far quicker than most EVs. I'd pay extra for a "recycling bin blue" version.

More like carbnom-nom dioxide

Twirl Energy

Currently leading the race for most aptly named company, SeaTwirl’s newest 1-megawatt VAWT will be deployed near Norway’s coast.

• VAWT = Vertical Access Wind Turbine

• Captures wind from all directions

• 30-kW prototype has been operating for 7 years

Floating makes SeaTwirls turbines cheaper to install in deep oceans than traditional wind farms. Vertically spinning blades also mean turbines can be installed closer together for more efficient farming. Can we please call them egg-beaters instead?

VAWTs up?

Clickables 

• How Ethereum became 99.95% more energy efficient

• NASA’s interactive map lets you zoom around our solar system

• Oldest heart ever, found in 380 million year old fish fossil

• Award-winning bird pics are to fly for

• Lunar orbit petitions to rename these trees “moongroves”

st3v on site

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