Author: WeWorldMedia-admin

U.S. imports of major transportation fuels decreased in 2024

Published: 29 April 2025
Categories: US Energy Information Administration

RSS feed source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

April 29, 2025

U.S. imports of petroleum products decreased by 210,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2024 to average 1.8 million b/d. Imports of all major transportation fuels, such as motor gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as other products, such as unfinished oils, decreased.

Motor gasoline makes up the largest share of U.S. petroleum product imports because it is the most widely consumed petroleum fuel in the United States. In 2024, the United States imported 651,000 b/d of motor gasoline, about 36% of all petroleum product imports and 75,000 b/d less than in 2023. U.S. gasoline consumption in 2024 was largely unchanged from 2023; inventories fell in 2024 after they had increased in 2023, reflecting the decrease in imports.

Although the United States imports more gasoline than any other petroleum product, the

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High-wire act: Soft robot can carry cargo up and down steep aerial wires

Published: 28 April 2025
Categories: Engineering News

RSS feed source: US Energy Information Administration

Researchers have created a light-powered soft robot that can carry loads through the air along established tracks, similar to cable cars or aerial trams. The soft robot operates autonomously, can climb slopes at angles of up to 80 degrees, and can carry loads up to 12 times its weight.

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‘Wood you believe it?’ Engineers fortify wood with eco-friendly nano-iron

Published: 28 April 2025
Categories: Engineering News

RSS feed source: US Energy Information Administration

With more than 181.5 billion tons of wood produced globally each year, a new method could revolutionize how we build sustainably. By infusing red oak with ferrihydrite using a simple, low-cost process, researchers strengthened the wood at the cellular level without adding weight or altering flexibility — offering a durable, eco-friendly alternative to steel and concrete. The treated wood retains its natural behavior but gains internal durability — paving the way for greener alternatives in construction, furniture and flooring.

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Breakthrough extends fuel cell lifespan beyond 200,000 hours, paving the way for clean long-haul trucking

Published: 28 April 2025
Categories: Engineering News

RSS feed source: US Energy Information Administration

Researchers have developed a new catalyst design capable of pushing the projected fuel cell catalyst lifespans to 200,000 hours. The research marks a significant step toward the widespread adoption of fuel cell technology in heavy-duty vehicles, such as long-haul tractor trailers. While platinum-alloy catalysts have historically delivered superior chemical reactions, the alloying elements leach out over time, diminishing catalytic performance. The degradation is further accelerated by the demanding voltage cycles required to power heavy-duty vehicles. To address this challenge, the team has engineered a durable catalyst architecture with a novel design that shields platinum from the degradation typically observed in alloy systems.

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