1. Welcome to MolES and NanoES
Research
Training
Testbeds
Touch the screen to learn more

2. NANO Engineering Systems
Baker lab
The Baker Lab on the 4th floor focus on the design of proteins which can perform biological functions such as fighting disease.
Clean Energy
The Research and training Testbed on the 1st floor of NanEs is a maker space for solar cells, batteries and grid simulation
The Clean Energy Institute Office 2nd floor, coordinates research in 5 departments here and across campus.
R&T Testbed
Luscombe Lab
The Luscombe Lab on the 1st floor works on polymer chemistry for photovoltaics.
Hillhouse
Lab
The Hillhouse Lab on the 1st floor works on alternative solar cells using earth abundant elements.

3. Clean Energy Institute Research Areas
Solar Materials
Storage
Grid
Plastic solar sells
Smart Grid, Demand Response
Microgrids
Alternative battery electrodes and chemistries
Predicting and pricing energy
Supplies from renewables
Grid scale flow batteries
Copper Zinc Tin Oxide CZTS
Solar cells
Energy Stats

4. Molecular Analysis Facility (MAF) Research Tools
Click Instrument to learn more
Atomic Force Microscope
Scanning Electron Microscope
Transmission Electron Microscope

5. Atomic Force Microscope
Atomic Force Microscope
An extremely fine point is scanned across a test material and is deflected by electrostatic forces. A mirror reflects and magnifies this movement which is read as a raster image. It can resolve structures 10 nm across.

6. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
An electron beam is focused by magnetic lenses and bounces of the surface of the subject is recorded from the side. SEM can show structures nm across … 500,000x magnification. Provides detailed 3D like imagery of surfaces. X-ray scattering can provide elemental composition of the surface.

7. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
An electron beam is focused by magnetic lenses and passes through a very thin subject and illuminates a screen. TEM can show structures .01 nm across … 50,000,000x magnification. Individual atoms can be visualized.

8. Research Training Testbed
Education Training Testbed- Provide an integrative training environment for upper-division undergrads and grad students
that helps them understand energy materials, device, and systems, from molecules to miles
Course: Energy Materials, Devices, and Systems- (CHEM 572)
Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization lab- (silver nanoprisms)
Battery lab- (li ion coin cell, with carbon electrodes)
Solar cell fabrication and Characterization ( perovskite )
Solar Photochemistry lab
Semiconductor properties lab
Grid system simulation lab

9. Energy Sources Today and Tomorrow
Currently renewable energy other than hydro provides less than 1% of our energy supply. Yet renewables are the clean and scalable alternative that can meet tomorrows energy and environmental demands. Decreasing manufacturing and capital costs along with increasing efficiency are immediate goals. MolES and CEI researchers are developing new materials for solar and batteries.

10. Stabilization Triangle
Carbon Scenarios df
1.6
Billions of Tons Carbon Emitted per Year
Historical
emissions
Flat path
Stabilization Triangle 8 16
1950
2000
2050
2100
How can we prevent this much carbon being added to the atmosphere in the next 30 years?
Billions of tons of carbon emitted per year
If we don’t act increasing energy usage will add more carbon to the atmosphere resulting in more global warming.

11. Click a button below to learn about UW research at that power of ten.
The goal for CEI is to provide an integrative training environment for upper-division undergrads and grad students that helps them understand energy materials, device, and systems, from molecules to kilometers.
This presentation highlights energy research at different scales in homage to the “Powers of Ten” video of Charles and Ray Eames. Each page encompasses a dimension that is a power of 10 larger than the one before.
Click a button below to learn about UW research at that power of ten.

12. Pore size of battery electrode
At the core of the lithium ion battery single atoms of lithium physically move into the pores in the electrode.
At the core of the lithium ion battery single atoms of lithium physically move into the pores in the electrode. Improving electrodes and developing new battery chemistries can help make batteries safer and longer lasting.
Improving electrodes and developing new battery chemistries can help make batteries safer and longer lasting.
Lithium ion
Pore size of battery electrode
tenths of nanometers

13. Bucky ball: C60 Some CEI researchers design new molecules.
CEI researchers design new molecules for example this polymer ink has been designed to absorb light of a specific wavelength and can added to a plastic solar cell.
For example, this polymer ink has been designed to absorb light of a specific wavelength and can added to a plastic solar cell.
Bucky ball: C60
nanometers

14. Manganese-Doped Cadmium Selenide nanoparticles (CdSe)
Sheet Graphene
Graphene has a perfect network of carbon atoms. Sheets have excellent electrical conductivity. Researchers explore how to make sheets larger sheets of graphene and incorporate it into devices.
Graphene has is perfect network of carbon atoms. Sheets have excellent electrical conductivity. Researchers explore how to make sheets larger sheets of graphene and incorporate it into devices.
Upper right doped CdSe quantum dots. When the conditions are just right the nanocrystals will neatly arrange themselves as a monolayer onto a surface in the most efficient way possible, as seen in the grid pattern in the image. In the upper left there is a darker region which is the formation of a second layer of nanocrystals.
When the conditions are just right, nanoparticles will neatly arrange themselves as a monolayer onto a surface in the most efficient way possible, as seen in the grid pattern in the image to the right. In the upper left there is a darker region which is the formation of a second layer of nanocrystals.
Manganese-Doped Cadmium Selenide nanoparticles (CdSe)
tens of nanometers

15. hundreds of nanometers
Ion beam instruments can form nanotexturing surfaces. To take advantage of quantum effects, dots, prisms, and balls can be made just 15 nanometers in diameter.
Ion beam instruments can form nanotexturing surfaces. To take advantage of quantum effects dots, prisms, and balls can be made just 15 nanometers in diameter.
These are nanoparticles of silicon (~50-100nm diameter), which have been etched in a dilute hydrofluoric acid solution to remove the native silicon dioxide layers on their surface. The intended use of these particles was in an experimental lithium-ion battery anode. Theoretically, an anode based on silicon could store 10x as much electric charge as one made out of graphite (such as in current lithium-ion batteries).
Zinc oxide
300 nanometer ball, composed of 15 nanometer grains
Silicon nanoparticles
These are nanoparticles of silicon (~50-100nm diameter), which have been etched in a dilute hydrofluoric acid solution to remove the native silicon dioxide layers on their surface. The intended use of these particles was in an experimental lithium-ion battery anode. Theoretically, an anode based on silicon could store 10x as much electric charge as one made out of graphite (such as in current lithium-ion batteries).
Nanotextured antireflective coating
Nanowires
hundreds of nanometers

16. (size of red blood cells)
Nano wires suspended in a polymer contribute to high performance battery electrodes.
Nano-wires suspended in a polymer contribute to high performance battery electrodes.
Zinc oxide: 300 nanometer balls
micrometers
(size of red blood cells)

17. Layers of CZTS solar cell approximately 1-5 um
Thin film solar cells will be printed on roll to roll presses. Each layer is functionally connected. One may absorb light of certain color, another transports excitons to a third layer where electron / hole pairs are separated, creating free charges that flow through the circuit.
Thin film solar cells will be printed on roll to roll presses. Each layer is functionally connected. One may absorb light of certain color, another transports excitons to a third layer where electron / hole pairs are separated creating free charges that flow through the circuit.
ZTS photovoltaic cell structure. Image by Alfred Hicks/NREL
Layers of CZTS solar cell approximately 1-5 um
Light absorbing zinc oxide 10 um thick
tens of micrometers

18. hundreds of micrometers, or tenths of millimeters
Micro texturing can make an antireflective coating on silicon or plastics. For mass production the pattern can be stamped into the plastic from master much as vinyl LP records were stamped.
Micro texturing can make an antireflective coating on silicon or plastics. For solar cells, this can increase absorption of light. For mass production the pattern can be stamped into the plastic from a master, much as vinyl LP records were stamped.
hundreds of micrometers, or tenths of millimeters
(width of human hair)

19. A cross section of a silicon solar cell showing elemental composition
The scanning electron microscope can visualize structure from nanometers to millimeters. The EDAX attachment allow the researcher to identify the elemental composition of the subject. Confirming that you have created the material or structure that you were trying to create is an important part of the research process.
The scanning electron microscope can visualize structure from nanometers to millimeters. The EDAX attachment allow the researcher to identify the elemental composition of the subject. Confirming that you have created the material or structure that you were trying to create is an important part of the research process.
A cross section of a silicon solar cell showing elemental composition
millimeters

20. Laboratory scale experimental solar cells.
Ultimately new materials are incorporate into completed devices so they can be tested for performance. Button batteries can be tested in automated cyclers. Small glass or plastic test solar cells can be tested with an artificial sun.
Ultimately new materials are incorporate into completed devices so they can be tested for performance. Button batteries can be tested in automated cyclers. Small glass or plastic test solar cells can be tested with an artificial sun.
Coin cell battery for
Testing new chemistry
Laboratory scale experimental solar cells.
0.5-1 volt
10 milliamps
tens of mm,
or centimeters

21. Flow battery exchange membrane
Larger devices often consist of groups of smaller components such as this silicon solar cell.
Flow batteries have stacks of special exchange membranes which allow electrolytes to react as they charge or discharge.
Larger devices often consist of groups of smaller components such as this silicon solar cell. Flow batteries have stacks of special exchange membranes which allow electrolytes to react as they charge or discharge.
1 Solar cell
.5 volts, 1 amp
0.5 watt
Flow battery exchange membrane
tens of centimeters,
or decimeters

22. ≈ 1000 watts per square meter
A solar panel typically consists of 60 cells that are wired in a combination of series and parallel arrangements. One panel might be able to capture 250 watts when the whole area is exposed to 1000 watts of incoming solar energy.
A solar panel typically consists of 60 cells that are wired in a combination of series and parallel arrangements. One panel might be able to capture 250 watts when the whole area is exposed to 1000 watts of incoming solar energy.
Solar irradiance
≈ 1000 watts per square meter
Panel area ≈ 1 square meter
60 cells: 250 watts output
If we can learn to make our solar panels more efficient, we can capture more of this energy!
meters

23. Home scale projects might use 25 panels, producing 5 to 10 kilowatts.
Home scale projects might use 25 panels creating 5 to 10 kilowatts. A wind turbine produces 1.8 megagwatts, enough for 330 homes. The flow battery can store the output of about 2 hours of production.
Grid Scale Flow battery, in four shipping containers
Power: 600 kilowatts
Energy: 2.2 megawatt hours = 2,200 kilowatt hours
tens of meters

24. Hundreds of square meters, producing 34 kilowatts
An increasing number of building on campus have solar panels on the roof, thanks to UW solar student projects.
An increasing number of building on campus have solar panels on the roof thanks to UW solar student projects.
Hundreds of square meters, producing 34 kilowatts
Vestas Wind Turbine
Power: megawatts
hundreds of meters

25. Puget Sound Energy's Wild Horse Solar Farm near Ellensburg Washington features 2,723 photovoltaic solar panels which produce up to 500 kilowatts of power.
Community scale solar is less expensive per watt than home scale solar but it does occupy land. Desert Sunligh Solar Farm in southern California is 550 megawattes
Panels produce power even under cloudy skies—50 to 70 percent of peak output with bright overcast and 5 to 10 percent with dark overcast.
kilometers

26. Some communities are turning to self-contained microgrids which offer resilience and the ability to balance supply and demand locally.
Communities are turning to self-contained microgrids which offer resilience and the ability to conform supply and demand.
A microgrid generates and distributes power for a small area, and has the ability to operate separately from the grid: in “island” mode
tens of kilometers

27. A National Smart Grid
The entire national grid needs to be modernized. Efficient transport of energy from solar and wind locations to demand centers will help smooth out the renewable power contribution.
The entire national grid needs to be modernized. Efficient transport of energy from solar and wind locations to demand centers will help smooth out the renewable power contribution.
hundreds of kilometers

28. Are we ready to tackle a Global Grid?
thousands of kilometers,
or megameters