By
Chris Rollins | January 2nd 2009 12:00 AM |
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Chris Rollins is a recent graduate in aerospace engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. When he's not snowboarding, he's writing about or researching physics, astronautics, or science policy.... Full Bio
As worldwide demand for cleaner energy grows, scientists are working frantically in every area to improve the amount of energy we are able to generate from various renewable sources. Many existing technologies, such as wind and solar power, are advancing slowly in efficiency as research continues, while others such as wave power are merely prototypes awaiting verification. Solar panel technology has undergone numerous upgrades over the years, many of which have increased efficiency by altering the materials and coatings applied to the panels. And now, two new nanotechnologies may provide a large increase in solar panel efficiency, driving solar panels down to costs manageable for homeowners and small businesses.
Up and Coming: Solar panels may soon be far more efficient, thanks to recent advances in nanotechnology. Photo Credit: Denison UniversitySolar power can take on many forms - for instance, the infrared light can be used to heat water for a home or a steam engine. It can also refer to photovoltaics, which convert light energy directly into electricity. Photovoltaics work by sandwiching two materials together, one with a few extra electrons and one with slightly less. When light hits the material, it adds energy to the extra electrons and motivates them to move across the junction between the two materials to the material with a deficit of electrons, where it then flows through the electric circuit and back to the side with excess electrons. Newer solar cells use technologies such as multiple junctions and layers of semiconducting material to increase efficiency, as well as coatings on the sunlight side of the cell.
Continue reading "Get Better Solar Cell Efficiency By Going Invisible" »
Date: 06/06/2006
T field of of nanotechnology has made tremendous progress in recent years. Vast sums of money are being invested in nanotechnology developments here in Europeand researchers in the USA are also extremely active. While a great deal of work is being undertaken in universitiesprivate companies are also running substantial research programmes.
With so many different projects underway and the scope for potential applications being so wide todayan article such as this can only present a small cross-section of the types of development that are bearing fruit.
Back in February 2004researchers at semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologiesin MunichGermanyclaimed they had succeededfor the first timein using carbon nanotubes to manufacture power semiconductors (Fig.1).
The first nanotube switch could control light emitting diodes (LEDs) or electric motorswhich was considered to be a breakthrough for nanotechnologyas scientists previously thought nanotubes were not suitable for the high voltages and currents used in power applications.
Nanotubes are tubular structures consisting of carbon atoms and have a diameter of one millionth of a millimetre. As with almost everything else on a nano scalethe electrical properties of carbon are very different from the properties associated with the material in the bulk state.
Continue reading "Nanotechnology research leads to molecular-scale batteries and motors " »
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