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Geothermal is too expensive, but Dig Energy’s impossibly small drill rig might fix that

On a farm near Manchester, New Hampshire, I was recently treated to a gusher of dirty water, not exactly the sort of thing that most startups will show a reporter. But for Dig Energy, the mud is a feature, not a bug, of its compact drilling rig. The startup, which has been operating in stealth for the last five years, developed the water-jet drilling rig in an effort to make geothermal heating and cooling so inexpensive that it will displace fossil fuel boilers and furnaces. The rig is central

Advanced geothermal startups are just getting warmed up

When Congressional Republicans took a sledgehammer to the Inflation Reduction Act last summer, advanced geothermal startups were largely spared. Drilling for renewable energy appears to be one of the few things that engenders bipartisan support. Now, with the uncertainty settled, geothermal companies are announcing deals that promise to pave the way for broader deployment of their technology. Houston-based Fervo Energy said on Tuesday it has picked a supplier for key parts of its power plants,

15-Fold increase in solar thermoelectric generator performance

STEG output power enhancement strategies A STEG generates electrical power when there’s a ΔT across its hot and cold sides. The generated power is expressed as38 $${P}_{{STEG}}={\left({S}_{{TEG}}\varDelta T\right)}^{2}\frac{{R}_{L}}{{\left({R}_{L}+R\right)}^{2}}$$ (1) where \({S}_{{TEG}}\) is the effective Seebeck coefficient of the TEG, R is the total electrical resistance between the TEG terminals, and \({R}_{L}\) is the load resistance. For a given TE material, an effective way to increase

This USB-C accessory unlocked thermal imaging powers on my Android and iPhone

Thermal Master USB-C Camera ZDNET's key takeaways It's the perfect thermal camera for professional and consumer use. From my testing, the camera has great accuracy and temperature resolution. While it works with Android and iOS, it's still fairly pricey at $300. $349 at Amazon I make no bones about being a huge fan of thermal cameras for smartphones. Initially, I dismissed them as a gimmick, but within minutes, I was sold on their practicality. I think they are a must-have for both engineers

This USB-C accessory gave my Android and iPhone thermal imaging powers - and it's on sale

Thermal Master USB-C Camera ZDNET's key takeaways It's the perfect thermal camera for professional and consumer use. From my testing, the camera has great accuracy and temperature resolution. While it works with Android and iOS, it's still fairly pricey at $300. View now at Amazon I make no bones about being a huge fan of thermal cameras for smartphones. Initially, I dismissed them as a gimmick, but within minutes, I was sold on their practicality. I think they are a must-have for both engine

This is my new favorite thermal imaging camera for Android and iOS - and it's not even close

Thermal Master USB-C Camera ZDNET's key takeaways It's the perfect thermal camera for professional and consumer use. From my testing, the camera has great accuracy and temperature resolution. While it works with Android and iOS, it's still fairly pricey at $300. $299 at Amazon I make no bones about being a huge fan of thermal cameras for smartphones. Initially, I dismissed them as a gimmick, but within minutes, I was sold on their practicality. I think they are a must-have for both engineers

Superhot geothermal energy could unearth big power boost for the AI era

Geothermal energy has been used for thousands of years, powering heating systems as early as the 14th century. It's getting a big upgrade. Beyond geothermal, there's superhot geothermal, which uses ultra-deep drilling to access extremely hot rocks, extracting 5 to 10 times more power per well. Quaise Energy, a Massachusetts-based startup, is in the market developing the technology, which involves an electromagnetic beam that vaporizes rock. The company's systems are able to reach superhot geot

This aerogel and some sun could make saltwater drinkable

Earth is about 71 percent water. An overwhelming 97 percent of that water is found in the oceans, leaving us with only 3 percent in the form of freshwater—and much of that is frozen in the form of glaciers. That leaves just 0.3 percent of that freshwater on the surface in lakes, swamps, springs, and our main sources of drinking water, rivers and streams. Despite our planet’s famously blue appearance from space, thirsty aliens would be disappointed. Drinkable water is actually pretty scarce. As

I finally found a thermal camera that works on iPhone and Android

ZDNET's key takeaways The Topdon TC992C Duo Thermal Camera is available now for $269 on Amazon. It's an accurate and reliable thermal camera for iPhone, Android, and Windows. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other thermal imaging cameras. View now at Amazon I'm a big fan of having a thermal camera (or two) as part of my repair kit. I use them for all sorts of applications, from detecting faulty components on circuit boards to figuring out where that pesky draught is coming from in w

This startup wants to use beams of energy to drill geothermal wells

This rock-melting drilling technology from the geothermal startup Quaise is certainly unconventional. The company hopes it’s the key to unlocking geothermal energy and making it feasible anywhere. Geothermal power tends to work best in those parts of the world that have the right geology and heat close to the surface. Iceland and the western US, for example, are hot spots for this always-available renewable energy source because they have all the necessary ingredients. But by digging deep enoug

If you're into DIY tech, I found a tiny thermal camera that belongs in your toolkit

ZDNET's key takeaways The InfiRay P2 Pro currently sells for around $250, but it's well worth it if you require a thermal vision camera. Use a thermal camera on functioning items to learn how they should look, which will make it easier to spot faults later. The InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera is the best option, offering flexibility, speed, and accuracy without needing separate charging. View now at Amazon I'm a big fan of Android smartphones with built-in thermal cameras, such as the awesome U

Repasting a MacBook

You should repaste your MacBook (but don't) My favorite memory of my M1 Pro MacBook Pro was the whole sensation of “holy crap, you never hear the fans in this thing”, which was very novel in 2021. Four years later, this MacBook Pro is still a delight. It’s the longest I’ve ever owned a laptop, and while I’d love to pick up the new M4 goodness, this dang thing still seems to just shrug at basically anything I throw at it. Video editing, code compiling, CAD models, the works. (My desire to updat

Repaste Your MacBook

You should repaste your MacBook (but don't) My favorite memory of my M1 Pro MacBook Pro was the whole sensation of “holy crap, you never hear the fans in this thing”, which was very novel in 2021. Four years later, this MacBook Pro is still a delight. It’s the longest I’ve ever owned a laptop, and while I’d love to pick up the new M4 goodness, this dang thing still seems to just shrug at basically anything I throw at it. Video editing, code compiling, CAD models, the works. (My desire to updat

Repaste Your MacBook (But Don't)

You should repaste your MacBook (but don't) My favorite memory of my M1 Pro MacBook Pro was the whole sensation of “holy crap, you never hear the fans in this thing”, which was very novel in 2021. Four years later, this MacBook Pro is still a delight. It’s the longest I’ve ever owned a laptop, and while I’d love to pick up the new M4 goodness, this dang thing still seems to just shrug at basically anything I throw at it. Video editing, code compiling, CAD models, the works. (My desire to updat

This tiny accessory gives your Android phone thermal vision superpowers - and it's on sale

ZDNET's key takeaways The InfiRay P2 Pro currently sells for around $250, but it's well worth it if you require a thermal vision camera. Use a thermal camera on functioning items to learn how they should look, which will make it easier to spot faults later. The InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera is the best option, offering flexibility, speed, and accuracy without needing separate charging. View now at Amazon I'm a big fan of Android smartphones with built-in thermal cameras, such as the awesome U

This thermal camera is my favorite smartphone accessory and it's on sale at Amazon

ZDNET's key takeaways Super smooth and highly responsive app The tiny carry case can be attached to a keyring for easy transportation Needs the supplied USB-C extension cable to connect to most ruggedized smartphones $179 at Amazon What's the deal? Amazon is offering a great deal on theThermal Master P2 camera, slashing the price from $249 to $179, and if you use the discount code TMAMZPD5, the price drops to $170. Regular readers will know that I am a big fan of thermal cameras. They are c

I tested an industrial-grade thermal camera without the pro price tag - and was highly impressed (and now there's $100 off for Amazon Prime Day!)

ZDNET's key takeaways An industrial-grade thermal imaging camera with a very reasonable price tag. Packed with features, from a great display to a built-in lens cap and huge battery. A robust camera built to IP54 standard. View now at Amazon What's the deal? Get $100 off the Thor 002 over Amazon Prime Day, and you can use the code TMTHOR002 to get an additional 5% off, bringing the price down to $284! There are consumer-grade thermal cameras, the sort you find for or built into smartphones,

I tested an industrial-grade thermal camera without the pro price tag - and was highly impressed

ZDNET's key takeaways An industrial-grade thermal imaging camera with a very reasonable price tag. Packed with features, from a great display to a built-in lens cap and huge battery. A robust camera built to IP54 standard. View now at Amazon There are consumer-grade thermal cameras, the sort you find for or built into smartphones, or that retail for a few hundred bucks, and then there are industrial-grade units that cost, well, a lot. They're usually more sensitive, have a better display, and

I used a $170 thermal camera to check my GCFI breaker - here's why this one's worth it

ZDNET's key takeaways HSFTools' HF96V thermal camera is available now for $180. It has a broad temperature range and a high level of accuracy with an eight-hour battery life. It has an IP54 rating for dust and water-resistance, but it's not waterproof. $189.99 at Amazon For a limited time, the HSFTools HF96V thermal camera is $40 off on Amazon, bringing it down to $180. Regular readers will know that I am a little obsessed with thermal imaging cameras. I regularly use them built into smartph

This USB-C accessory gave my Android phone thermal vision superpowers - and it's on sale

ZDNET's key takeaways The InfiRay P2 Pro currently sells for around $250, but it's well worth it if you require a thermal vision camera. Use a thermal camera on functioning items to learn how they should look, which will make it easier to spot faults later. The InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera is the best option, offering flexibility, speed, and accuracy without needing separate charging. View now at Amazon I'm a big fan of Android smartphones with built-in thermal cameras, such as the awesome U

3 Best Thermal Brush, Tested and Reviewed by WIRED (2025)

You've seen thermal brushes before, maybe touted as a blow-out brush or an infrared brush. The best thermal brush for you will recreate a blow-out type of look on your dry hair—different than a blow-dry brush, which is designed for wet hair but has a similar look. It reminds me of how I would use a curler in my youth to straighten while adding a little body to the roots and a little curl to the ends. If that's your preferred hairstyle too, then these are the devices for you. Thermal brushes use

Meta is helping to fund geothermal energy projects in New Mexico

Meta has entered into an agreement with XGS Energy to develop "next-generation geothermal energy" projects in New Mexico. The plan is for these projects to connect directly into the electrical grid that Meta's data centers draw from, feeding the growing energy needs of the company's AI development. Both companies claim the new deal will add 150-megawatts of carbon-free energy to the grid "with zero operating water use." New Mexico is apparently uniquely suited for geothermal energy production b

Meta inks a new geothermal energy deal to support AI

is a senior science reporter covering energy and the environment with more than a decade of experience. She is also the host of Hell or High Water: When Disaster Hits Home , a podcast from Vox Media and Audible Originals. Meta’s geothermal ambitions are growing with a new agreement to support projects in New Mexico. It announced the deal with XGS Energy today, a company developing next-generation geothermal technologies that make it possible to use this energy source in places where it was unf

Meta teams with XGS Energy to build a 150 MW geothermal power plant

Meta is the latest tech company to warm to geothermal energy, announcing on Thursday a deal with startup XGS Energy to develop a 150 megawatt geothermal power plant in New Mexico. XGS Energy has yet to say where it’ll be building the power plant, and Meta wouldn’t disclose specifics about the deal other than to say it’s not yet a contract to purchase power, but rather an agreement “to advance geothermal energy development” in the state, a Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch. Recently, tech compa

Fervo Energy lands $206M in financing to build massive geothermal power plant

Geothermal frontrunner Fervo Energy said Wednesday that it had secured $206 million in financing to continue work on a new power plant in Utah. The startup is developing what promises to be the largest enhanced geothermal power plant in the world. The initial phase of Cape Station is expected to come online next year and produce 100 megawatts of electricity, and a subsequent expansion set to open in 2028 will add another 400 megawatts. Enhanced geothermal, which runs deeper and hotter than tra

How I used this portable, ink-free printer to declutter my workstation (and it's 60% off)

ZDNET's key takeaways This battery-powered printer is perfect for taking on the road, and it connects to devices using Bluetooth or USB Thermal printing means there are no ink cartridges to replace, but the downside is the printer cannot use regular paper Installing the Windows and Mac drivers is a bit painful and unintuitive. $69.91 at Amazon I like to joke that whenever someone asks me if I own a printer, I say, "I don't need one where I live." When they inevitably ask where that is, I repl