Nanoscience and Energy

Energy Change How can small science help us produce big changes in energy production? From coal to oil, from batteries to nuclear energy, from the sun to wind, from bright lights to the car engine.

Energy,...I See the Light! What will light up your life in the future: gas, coal or an alternative fuel, possibly an alternative fuel made using nanotechnology? New ideas using nanotechnology like those shown in this section are just a few of the innovations.

How Big Is Nano? This is one nanometer!

One example of new alternative energy production using nanoscience is nanocrystalline solar cells using the dye extracted from citrus! A Fruity Solution

Nanosizing Solar Power Nanotechnology can offer a more cost effective solar photovoltaic cell. Presently they are made of glass. In the future with the precise control of matter at the atomic and molecular levels thinner, cheaper and more lightweight and flexible material than glass can be used. Also nanolayers or nanorods can increase the amount of electricity converted from sunlight. These nanostructures will be more effective at absorbing light. Imagine solar cells in roofing tiles, siding and paint! International Strategy and Foresight Report on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Final Report 19th March 2004 cartoon:

Charge! Nanotechnology is being used to improve the performance of rechargeable batteries. New lithium ion batteries which use nanosized lithium titanate can provide 10 to100 times greater charging/discharging rates compared to the current conventional batteries. Several research groups are working on hydrogen storage possibilities in nanostructured materials, including carbon nanotubes, nanocrystalline magnesium compounds or organometallic (a combination of organic and metallic) compounds, which could be applied to fuel cells. Read more on the next page. A videocast on nanotechnology in batteries can be seen at Batteries videocast if you have Real Player Batteries videocast International Strategy and Foresight Report on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Final Report 19th March 2004

Hydrogen Fuel Using Nano-graphite Storing hydrogen has been a big stumbling block for hydrogen fueled vehicles, because it requires cold, heat or pressure, thus requiring equipment that is heavy, bulky or expensive. Carbon nanotubes are being considered as a possible way to solve this problem, an expensive way. Graphite layers spaced slightly less than a nanometer apart can also store hydrogen at room temperature and moderate pressures at close to a good weight. Graphite would be less expensive and easier to prepare than carbon nanotubes. Another good possibility is the use of porous carbon foams.

Power Turbines Power plants today require the use of power turbines to produce energy. Within the next five years even these turbines will be changed by nanotechnology. General Electric is exploring how nanotechnology can help to make the turbine blades used to spin these power plants even more durable. Using ceramics enriched with nanoscale particles, GE hopes to build more powerful turbines that operate at higher temperatures. ://images.businessweek.com/mz/05/07/nano2/5.htm?slideShowSpeed=20

Enzyme Production Could Boost Biofuels Production Enzymes can be used to help produce alternatives to petro-based products. Glucose, from plants, is carbon-based, like petroleum. It is a base for ethanol, a gasoline substitute or additive. Glucose is used to make plastics. Enzymes are natural, biodegradable and safe catalysts for chemical processes. Using farm waste or crops, such as corn, cornstalks, straw, sugarcane, soybeans or other cellulose-rich plants, enzymes could make the production of glucose cost effectively and clean. Glucose can then be used to create gasoline substitutes and other products. Mark Emalfarb, Dyadic CEO and

Sunscreen on the Move Researchers at Georgia Tech suggest that nanoribbons of zinc oxide, that white smeary sunscreen, produces electrical charge when moved, thus converting mechanical energy, such as walking, into electrical energy. “From each thread, they found picoamps of current, which is small, but predicted mW per square meter of fabric. That won’t light up any lightbulbs, since even one of those new LED flashlights requires about 1 Watt — about 50 times more. But it does show that we could power small sensors or other devices.” Dr. Zhong Lin, Georgia Tech Nan0-Energy Generation bin/abstract.cgi/nalefd/2008/8/i01/abs/nl072440v.htmlhttp:// bin/abstract.cgi/nalefd/2008/8/i01/abs/nl072440v.html

More Nanotechnology in Energy Options Professor and Nobel Laureate R.E. Smalley from Rice University presented numerous nanotechnology uses for energy production and utilization in this linked presentation. linked presentation -Professor Richard Smalley Nobel Laureate, Gene and Norman Hackerman Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Rice University

And More… Scientists at NanoSig created a presentation to share what this company is accomplishing in the area of alternative energy using nanotechnology. You can link to that presentation here. presentation here

Nano-Cleaned Coal A researcher discusses the use of nano-catalysts to clean coal in the presentation linked here.linked here

Social, Environmental and Ethical Concerns Nanotechnology is Wonderful! It is said that due to the use of nanotechnology the ability to collect and store solar energy cheaply will greatly reduce the need for fossil fuels and the power grid. Also, products (including houses) with the help of nanotechnology can become much more efficient, further reducing energy demand. rt=9&tbnid=YOD3P3CnZqmA0M:&tbnh=149&tbnw=149&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnanoscience%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Or Isn't It? As it stands, the use of the chemical hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell utilizes more energy in its extraction from natural gas than is derived from burning it to power the fuel cell in motor vehicles. That makes fuel-cell-powered cars a form of economic science fiction for the very long-term future, if not forever.” Michael Zelvin New York “You suggest that carbon nanotubes show potential for hydrogen storage, thus improving the odds that hydrogen fuel cells could replace fossil-fuel engines. The development of sophisticated means for fuel storage of hydrogen does not solve the main problem of the present uneconomic cost of producing hydrogen for the fuel cell.

Which Opinion is Correct? Or is the answer somewhere in between? What is the cost to the environment when we manufacture and use these nanomaterials and techniques?

Social, Environmental and Ethical Concerns 1.Might these nanotechnology developments in energy infringe on human rights? 2.Could any of them decrease privacy of individuals? 3.Could the use of nanotechnology for energy have unwanted and negative environmental effects? 4.What economic impact could the use of nanotechnology in energy have on producers, consumers, and other industries? Might they be negative or positive?

What About Your Rights? If so, are these developments more important than Your privacy? Your rights as a citizen? Your rights as a human being? Are the answers somewhere in between?

Planning Your Presentation To prepare for your presentation, answer these questions using reference materials which can include the websites linked to this webquest: 1.What can be done to maximize the chances that humans will benefit from, rather than be harmed by these new developments? 2.If we can develop these technologies, should we? Why?

Resources gy&searchtype=story gy&searchtype=story Numerous nanoscience links can be found at this link: Websites linkWebsites link More information on nanoscience uses in energy production and utilization can be found at the following websites.

More Help If you would like help breaking down your research into steps, click on the help button. It will provide a breakdown of the questions you will need to answer.