Technological convergence and dematerialization's impact on energy and materials In 1991, the electronics retailer RadioShack ran an ad in the paper for the devices it sold.  Today in 2025, the ad seems like an artifact of a bygone era, as the ubiquitous smartphone has replaced all those electronic gadgets. Technological convergence, or device convergence, is when multiple once-separate tools or devices are replaced by a single device that can perform all the previous functio

The many uses of fossil hydrocarbons, and what we do and don't have alternatives for. We tend to call the coal, oil, and natural gas...

The overlooked tankless water heater problem—plus heat pump, solar thermal, and point-of-use. When you take a shower and aren't freezing...

An overview of how different nuclear power plants work; or how to get electricity from rocks. Nuclear energy accounts for about 9% of the...

A foundational concept of nearly everything that we often misunderstand Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is everywhere, and it may be one...

Exploring the process of refining crude oil into useful products. The world of oil refineries is a complex and fascinating one, integral...

Wind turbines come in a variety of different forms. The fundamental principle is to capture the kinetic energy in the wind and convert...

This post will cover the basics of these electromechanical devices. What is a magneto? A magneto is an electrical generator that uses...