Potential methods of generating energy with nanotechnology are nearly boundless. However, the most immediately promising possibilities are for solar and fuel cell power. Michael Graetzel, a Swiss scientist, invented a new kind of solar cell that uses dye molecules and titanium dioxide. This enables manufacturers to place highly efficient and versatile solar cells in flexible plastic sheets, rather than the traditional glass and silicon cells. Konarka Technologies, Inc., with U.S. offices in Lowell, Massachusetts (
www.konarkatech.com ), has filed over 20 patents for its technology. Its solar cells, based on Graetzel’s work, are literally printed out on long sheets of plastic that can be cut into virtually any shape or size, making them ideal for a variety of applications, including large architectural installations and in the field with portable electronics or in places where there are no power lines. Another player in the nanosolar arena is Nanosolar, Inc.
www.nanosolar.com, a Palo Alto, California-based company that secured 647,000 square feet of solar cell and panel manufacturing space in early 2007.
Another way that nanotechnology may impact solar cells is the use of quantum dots instead of silicon. Quantum dots, which are nanoscale semiconductor crystals, could significantly lower the cost of photovoltaic cells. In 2006, Victor Klimov of Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico demonstrated that quantum dots have the capability to react to light and store energy more efficiently than silicon. Although scientists are years away from actually manufacturing usable quantum dot solar cells on a commercial scale, the technology has been established.
Meanwhile carbon nanohorns, a variation of carbon nanotubes, are being used in fuel cells to make them lighter, cheaper and more efficient. Smart Fuel Cell AG, based in Germany; NEC, the giant Japanese electronics firm; and several other companies are creating such fuel cells for use in mobile phones and laptops. As these fuel cells become more compact, powerful and longer lasting, many other applications will become available for both mobile and set devices. In June 2004, Toshiba announced the world’s smallest direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Capable of delivering 100 milliwatts, the tiny fuel cell could power a portable MP3 player, for example, for about 20 hours without refueling. By September 2005, Toshiba had developed a 300-milliwatt fuel cell that could run a small mobile device for 35 hours. Toshiba unveiled its latest prototype fuel cell powered laptop in late 2007.
Toshiba has competition in startup Lilliputian Systems of Wilmington, Massachusetts. The firm has developed a micro-fuel cell that runs on butane, and produces enough electricity to run a laptop for several days. A $2 cartridge of butane can supply 25 charges compared to a $5 per charge using flashlight batteries. Lilliputian’s first product is expected to be a portable batter recharger for laptops and cell phones.
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