Posted by admin on Aug 3, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
Nanotechnology, shortened to “Nanotech”, is the study of the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures of the size 100 nanometers or smaller, and involves developing materials or devices within that size.
Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from novel extensions of conventional device physics, to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, to developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale, even to speculation on whether we can directly control matter on the atomic scale.
Although nanotechnology is a relatively recent development in scientific research, the development of its central concepts happened over a longer period of time.
Photovoltaic (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting sun energy (sunlight or sun ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity. Due to the growing demand for clean sources of energy, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has expanded dramatically in recent years.
The coming together of these two technologies has become the talk of the town lately.
This report looks at how nanotechnology is changing the field of photovoltaic innovation.
From the basics of nanotech to the basics of photovoltaic, this report looks at how nanotech is making possible new developments in the solar PV industry.
Table Of Contents :
Executive Summary 5
What You Need to Know about Nanotechnology 6
Introduction 6
History of Nanotechnology 6
Basic Concept 10
What are Nanomaterials? 10
What is Molecular Self-Assembly? 11
Molecular Nanotechnology 11
Techniques Utilized in Nanotechnology 13
Applications of Nanotechnology 15
Medicine 15
Chemistry and the Environment 16
Energy 17
IT and Communications 17
Consumer Goods 18
Aerospace 18
Constructions 19
Implications of Nanotechnology 19
Health and Safety in Terms of Nanoparticles 19
Environmental Issues 20
What You Need to Know about Photovoltaics 22
Introduction 22
Present-Day Industry Overview 23
Global Market 23
Applications of PV 24
Stand Alone PV Systems 25
Photovoltaic Power Station 25
PV in Buildings 26
Photovoltaics with Battery Storage 27
Concept of PV Storage 27
Rural Electrification 28
Connecting Generators with PV 28
Utilities with a Grid-Connected PV System 28
Hybrid Power Systems 30
Distributed Generation and PV 30
Economics of PV 31
Financial Incentives for PV 32
Environmental Impacts 34
Advantages and Disadvantages of PV 34
Nanotech and PV 37
Use of Nanotechnology in the Energy Industry 37
Nanotechnology and Solar Power 40
Nanolayers in Stack Cells 43
Quantum Dots for Solar Cells 43
New Materials for Photovoltaics 44
Research in Nanotechnology Usage in PV 46
Major Players 50
Nanosolar 50
NanoGram 52
HelioVolt Corporation 53
Konarka Technologies, Inc 54
SunFlake AS 56
Appendix 58
Glossary 65
List of Figures and Tables
Figures
Figure 1: Hybrid Power Systems 30
Figure 2: Diagram of a Nano Solar Cell 41
Figure 3: Processability of Nanomaterials (High Productivity Possible through Printing
Processes) 44
Figure 4: Activity and Diversity of Top 10 Countries in Nanotechnology Thin-film Solar
Cells Publications 49
Figure 5: Parabolic Trough 58
Figure 6: Central Receiver or Solar Tower 58
Figure 7: Parabolic Dish 59
Figure 8: Photovoltaic Roof System 59
Figure 9: Cost of PV to Consumers and Manufacturing Shipments 60
Figure 10: A Schematic Arrangement of a PV Cell 60
Figure 11: Solar Parabolic Trough System Combined with Fossil Fuel Firing to Generate
Electrical Power 61
Figure 12: Arrangement of a Central Receiver Solar Thermal System 61
Figure 13: A Solar Pond Arrangement 61
Figure 14: Integrated Solar/Combined Cycle System (ISCC) 63
Tables
Table 1: Some Examples of Clean Technologies 38
Table 2: Early Solar Thermal Power Plants 62
Table 3: Comparison of Solar Thermal Power Technologies 63
Table 4: Cost Reductions in Parabolic Trough Solar Thermal Power Plants 63
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Posted by admin on May 11, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
Nanotechnology is the science and art of constructing functional and sometimes powerful devices by manipulating single atoms until they are molecularly sized. In order to achieve some relativity on this, one must be aware that a molecule is measured in nanometers, which is, essentially, one billionth of a meter – an atom is ten times smaller than that.
As a revolutionary concept, nanotechnology covers a wide spectrum that can often be a double edged sword. In the right hands, the extreme capability of nanotechnology can be a positive contributor to medical advancements, environmental cleansing, energy conservation and many other areas that can largely improve human existence on our planet. The down side to nanotechnology is that in the wrong hands it can be a destructive force that may ultimately lead to the annihilation of human existence and even of our planet.
There are varying schools of thought on the benefits versus the threats of nanotechnology pursuits. One outlook is that replicating nanostructures could gobble up the entire planet in about three hours flat while another is that nanotechnology as a science could revolutionize medical treatments for conditions that are presently incurable using standard technology.
Nanotechnology has been credited with many beneficial improvements to existing products like fabrics that totally resist staining, scratch resistant eyewear and sunscreen that can endure greater exposure to the elements for longer periods of time. In addition, creating smaller, more powerful devices via this technology has been a positive contributor to revolutionary advancements in computers, more improved diagnostic medical testing and more efficient means of removing toxicity from areas afflicted with environment contamination. Anyone would have to agree that these advantages are certainly not totally useless attributes of nanotechnology.
Additionally, nanotechnology has been credited with creations from a biodegradable plastic made from waste products produced from fruit growing operations to experimental replacement bone tissue that will not be so easily rejected by the human body after transplant. The advantage of such a product will result in easing human suffering while actually contributing to an extended life span. Anybody wanting to improve on humanity would be hard pressed to declare breakthroughs like this as totally useless.
Despite its propensity to do good, nanotechnology could also lead to the creation of more compact and essentially more dangerous weaponry, which, if it fell into the wrong hands could lead to the development of chemical and biological weapons that are far more deadly, harder to avoid and much easier to conceal than conventional warfare.
Naysayers are quick to point out additional negativities of nanotechnology such as the ability of the military or other covert government organizations to conduct continuous, surreptitious surveillance on each and every citizen. Some go even further by concentrating on the hypothesis that nanotechnology, when used to advance greed and power, could result in total physical and/or psychiatric control of one faction over another.
Will nanotechnology ultimately result in ecophaghy – the consumption of the entire worldwide ecosphere – or will all these doomsday predilections just be totally useless fodder for overactive imaginations?
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Posted by admin on Aug 12, 2008 in Articles | 0 comments
If current news is any indication, Nanotechnology is poised to play a significant role in the development of clean, less expensive energy. The potential of nanotechnology for solving some of today’s greatest energy challenges is vast.
Nanotechnology refers broadly to a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control of matter on the molecular level in scales smaller than one micrometer, normally 1 to 100 nanometers, and the fabrication of devices within that size range. For scale, a single virus particle is about 100 nanometers in width.
Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.”
At this size dimension, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ in fundamental and valuable ways from the properties of individual atoms, molecules, or bulk matter. The properties displayed at the nanoscale create a host of potential innovative uses for nanomaterials. One of these uses includes the creation of exciting and revolutionary energy applications. These potential nanoscale energy applications apply to a host of different sources of energy, including hydrogen, geothermal, unconventional natural gas, fission, and solar energy.
While hydrogen is an energy storage medium, it is not a primary energy source. Therefore, full realization of hydrogen as an alternative energy source is frustrated by gaps in technology, which do not precipitate the efficient and cost-effective storage and transport of hydrogen. Nanoscience provides new approaches to basic questions about the interaction of hydrogen with materials to enable the efficient and cost-effective storage and transport of hydrogen.
Applying nanotechnology to geothermal energy increases the opportunities to develop geothermal resources by enhancing thermal conductivity or aiding in the development of noncorrosive materials that could be used for geothermal energy production.
The recovery of unconventional sources of natural gas is yet another potential application of nanotechnology. Unconventional sources of natural gas include tight sandstones, shale gas, and coal bed methane. Nanotechnology applications may prove useful in accessing or exploiting these unconventional natural gas sources. For instance, nanocatalysts and nanoscale membranes may prove useful in assisting in Gas to Liquids production. Furthermore, certain nanostructured materials may assist in compressed natural gas transport.
Nanotechnology may also prove useful in solving the waste problems of the nuclear energy industry. For instance, certain nano-engineered barriers may prove useful in preventing the migration of or containing nuclear waste products.
Nanotechnology applications may assist in making solar energy more economical. Nanoscience can be utilized to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells, creating cost-efficient conversion systems, effective solar power storage systems or even the generation of solar energy on a larger scale. For instance, “nanopatterning” can artificially change the optical properties of materials to allow light to be trapped in solar cells.
Nanotechnology might someday allow for more powerful, more efficient and less expensive energy generation, storage transmission and distribution. Nanotechnology is being used to optimize production from existing energy sources and to exploit new sources such as geothermal, liquefied natural gas, nuclear and solar energy. Nanotechnology is also improving and opening new possibilities for the transmission and storage of energy, especially electricity and possibly hydrogen in the future. Nanotechnologies have the potential to reduce energy consumption by making it possible to manufacture lighter and/or more energy efficient cards and appliances. Even though nanotechnology is a relatively young field, the potential for future nanotechnology applications within the energy industry could turn out to be one of the most important technological developments of our time.
Technological Convergence
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