Energy Applications for Nanotech

Solar Energy and NanotechnologyTyler Weitzman

What Ill talk about today:Adopting renewable energy, increased efficiency for cost effectivenessIncreased efficiency of fossil fuels (engines)Reduction of energy consumption needed3Solar PanelsWhats not working now that could be better:Cost of installationActual Solar Panel EfficiencyCost of panel

Installation: Why so expensive?

Can you imagine?

How do Solar Panels work?

Talk about how different wave lengths work differently

7How do Solar Panels work?

Talk about how different wave lengths work differently

8How do Solar Panels work?

Theoretical limit of 34% (Single-Junction)

Talk about how different wave lengths work differently

9Multi-junction (Theoretically 86.8%)

Quantom Dots?

Quantom DotsNanocrystals of Semiconductor materialCan be made easily with solvent reactionSize can be easily controlledNP Junction appliesLight in different colors is simply due to different band gaps

Application to Solar PanelRange of band gaps to use more of the suns spectrum of light energyMicrocrystalline Silicon: Acts physically like Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) with a more standard conversion efficiency. Single-junction can be easily placed on a flexible nanofilmPlacementPlacing on film uses process called spin coating https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_UCkLsoL7MUsed in photolithography to place photoresistPlacing gradient of sizes on multiple films requires other currently expensive technology.

GradientMultilayerNanofilmMore OptionsUpconversion nanoparticles (Lanthanide ions)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gfC_2jQRCgCould work in conjunction with multi-junctionOther Uses for EnergyUpconversion -> Efficient light bulbsLED diodes (also NP) opposite of solar cellelectroluminescence characteristics, internal quantum efficiency, external quantum efficiency, light extraction, differ in nano and become more efficientBatteries, (1) liquid separation longer life (2) electrode conductivity by nanoparticle coating faster rechargingInternal combustion engine: Surface-area maximization of catalysts -> improved efficiency

What Ill talk about today:Adopting renewable energy, increased efficiency for cost effectivenessIncreased efficiency of fossil fuels (engines)Reduction of energy consumption needed19Sourceshttp://www.understandingnano.com/solarcells.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_applications_of_nanotechnologyhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Internal_combustion_engine_pistons_of_partial_cross-sectional_view.jpghttps://utilities.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/energy-saving.jpghttp://media.mnn.com/sites/default/files/main_coldwar_0422.jpghttp://www.technologyreview.com/sites/default/files/images/tesla.3x519.jpghttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/apr/28/solar-panel-installations-surge-ukhttp://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/7486/20140609/new-nano-particle-makes-solar-cells-cheaper.htmhttp://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v13/n8/abs/nmat4007.html#compoundsSourceshttp://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/quantum_dots_c.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/PVeff%28rev150319%29.jpghttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1748013212001223http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/solar-cell3.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%E2%80%93n_junctionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNuoYm7Su4ohttp://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2014/ra/c4ra03919j#!divAbstracthttp://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/apl/103/23/10.1063/1.4844715

Questions?