Nanotechnology and Energy - Purdue University · Image Source: Nanosolar . Electricity from Nuclear...
Transcript of Nanotechnology and Energy - Purdue University · Image Source: Nanosolar . Electricity from Nuclear...
Nanotechnology and
Energy
The Little Einsteins
Nanotechnology
• How big is 1nm?
10-9m
Nano affects Energy
• Currently being introduced into o Wind
o Solar
o Hydrogen Storage
o Nuclear
o Batteries
Nanotechnology and Wind
Applications for
nanotechnology and
wind:
• Nanoparticle
bearings
• Thin coatings
• Nanomaterials to
strengthen turbine
Nanotechnology and
Solar
• Windows that act as solar
cells
o Created from organic
solar cells
o 1/1000th thickness of
hair
o Created from plastic
polymers
Image Source: Triple Pundit
Nanosolar • Created from Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS)
• Nanoparticles distributed throughout mixture
• Printed on nanoscale onto aluminum
• One micron thick layer
• Efficiency up to 17.1%
Image Source: Nanosolar
Electricity from Nuclear
Nanotechnology and Nuclear
Nanofluids as coolants
• Fluid film prevents
boiling
• Loss of heat transfer
• Nanoparticles
prevent fluid film
• Aluminum oxide
• 40% efficiency gain
Renewable Energies Necessitate
Storage
• Sources of renewable energy
are intermittent and therefore
require storage
Hydrogen Storage
• University of Crete
• Carbon nanotubes
and graphene
sheets
• High surface area
and porosity
• Allows for efficient
storage of hydrogen
• Doping with lithium
Batteries...
• Cathode- positive
terminal
• Anode- negative
terminal
• Electrolyte-
charged, acidic gel
o Separates
electrodes to
prevent
electrical
shortage
o Allows ions to
flow
Electrical cell. Image source: odec.ca
Stored Energy
Lithium Ion Batteries
• Most effective
rechargeable
battery
o Lithium Metal
CATHODE
o Graphite ANODE
• No "memory"
effect
Nanotechnology in Li-ion Batteries
• Scientists are currently implementing
Carbon Nanotube into the anode's structure. o This will replace traditional graphite anodes and
increase holding capacity of lithium ions
Small, but BIG
Works Cited Casey,Tina."New energy technologies turn windows into invisible solar
panels".www.triplepundit.com.NREL.22 Mar.2012 .Web.13.Jun.2012.
"Designing novel carbon nanostructures for hydrogen storage".www.spie.org.SPIE.
8 March 2009. Web.13 June 2012."
"How Batteries Work." www.howstuffworks.com. Hows stuffworkds. ND. June 13
2012."
"Nanotech batteries for a new energy future". www.sciencedaily.com. Science Daily
LLC. 20 March.2012.Web.13 Jun.2012.
"Nanotechnology:Avoiding electrolyte failure in nanoscale lithium
batteries"www.sciencedaily.com.Science Daily LLC. 21 Mar.2012.Web.13
Jun.2012.
"New nanotechnology that turns windows into transparent solar
panels".www.oilprice.com. CNBC.2 May.2012.Web. 13 Jun.2012
"Nuclear and Notech." www.spectrum.mit.edu. Spectrvm MIT. 2007.Web.13 June
2012."
"The 'Power' of Technology". www.nanotech-now.com. 7th Wave Inc.13 Jul. 2007.
Web.13 Jun.2012.