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Role of Nanotechnology in the Energy Industry

June 2011 | 145 pages | ID: RF59361C8D4EN
Aruvian's R'search

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Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale.

Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from extensions of conventional device physics to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, from developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale to investigating whether we can directly control matter on the atomic scale.

Nano-engineered materials offer extraordinary new capabilities for the improvement of energy generation and efficiency. The use of high surface-to-area ratio carbon nanotubes in battery electrodes generates an increase in electricity output over traditional electrodes.

Some of the segments of the energy industry where nanotech is being used to include:
  • Oil and gas extraction
  • Solar power
  • Fuel cells
  • Wind power
  • Thermoelectricity
  • Nanobatteries
  • Nanosupercapacitors
  • Hydrogen economy
  • Heat insulation and conductance
  • Energy security
  • Renewable energy
  • Nanocatalysts
  • Lower energy consumption
  • Lighting
  • Transportation
Aruvian’s R’search presents a complete analysis of the role nanotechnology plays in the energy industry in its research report Role of Nanotechnology in the Energy Industry.

With the global constraints increasing on energy sources, nanotech comes at a time when various segments such as oil and gas extraction could benefit highly from the addition of nanotechnology. In fact, carbon nanotubes are being touted as one of the most ‘promising’ nanomaterials for energy savings applications.

Consider this: earlier in 2010 itself, the UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security issued a warning that the UK may soon be facing oil shortages, supply and price volatility – all of this can become a reality as early as 2015.

Some of the key take aways that this research report offers include:
  • How nanotechnology is actually benefitting the various segments of the energy industry.
  • How nanotechnology is being used to make processes faster and more efficient.
  • What research companies are doing to utilize nanotechnology to derive benefits from already established processes?
  • Challenges facing the development of nanotech in the fields of wind power, oil & gas extraction, solar power, and nanobatteries & nanosupercapacitors.
  • How nanotechnology is being commercialized to make the technology more 'sellable'.
Examples of some of the milestones achieved in this industry and discussed in this research report include:
  • CSIRO, in conjunction with two Australian universities, is developing nano chemical sensors to enhance discovery rates of untapped oil or gas deposits beneath the seabed.
  • The UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is funding research by BP and the University of Surrey to develop ‘smart injectable nanoparticles’ that can be administered to reservoirs.
  • The Stanford PULSE Institute for Ultrafast Energy Science has researched the potential of quantum dots to improve solar cell efficiency, demonstrating that in laboratory conditions one photon of light can generate multiple electrons.
  • Nanosys, Inc. is in a collaborative agreement with Sharp Corporation of Osaka, Japan to develop nanotechnology enabled fuel cells.
  • Eagle Windpower Oy has used carbon nanotubes bound with epoxy in its small windmill blades.
While, the manufacture of nanomaterials is extremely energy intensive and has a high ecological footprint, it is predicted that in the next 10 years, there will be $1 trillion worth of new products that use nanotechnology.

Companies analyzed in this report are:
  • NanoComposites, Inc.
  • Elemental Analysis, Inc.
  • Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc.
  • Cnano Technology Limited
  • ULVAC Technologies, Inc.
The relatively recent shift towards using nanotechnology will continue to have many positive economic impacts on society.

Aruvians Rsearch’s report Role of Nanotechnology in the Energy Industry analyzes all the segments in which nanotechnology is being used in the energy industry today and what the future scenario of the industry is expected to look like with nanotech driving growth.
A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

B. INTRODUCTION TO NANOTECHNOLOGY

B.1 What is Nanotechnology?
B.2 Historical Perspective
B.3 Understanding the Nanotech Concept
B.3.1 Nanomaterials
B.3.2 Molecular Self-Assembly
B.3.3 Supramolecular Systems
B.3.4 Biological Systems
B.4 Understanding Molecular Nanotechnology
B.5 Techniques Used in Nanotechnology
B.6 Nanoparticles Impacting Energy Transmission System Development

C. APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN OTHER INDUSTRIES

C.1 Introduction
C.2 Nanomedicine
C.2.1 Drug Delivery Systems with Nanoparticles
C.2.2 Nanoparticles and Treatment of Cancer
C.2.3 Nanoshells and Surgery
C.2.4 Nanodevices for In vivo/Therapy
C.2.5 Emerging Technology: Neuro-electronic Interfaces
C.2.6 Cell Repair Nano-Machines
C.3 Chemistry & the Environment
C.3.1 Chemical Catalysis
C.3.2 Filtration
C.4 Energy Industry
C.4.1 Consumer Products
C.4.2 Economic Advantages
C.4.3 Capacitors
C.4.4 Theory of Capacitance
C.5 Information & Communications Technology
C.5.1 Semiconductors
C.5.2 Optoelectronics
C.5.3 Production of Displays
C.5.4 Nanologic
C.5.5 Quantum Computers
C.6 Consumer Goods Industry

D. NANOTECHNOLOGY & THE RISKS IT POSES

D.1 Introduction
D.2 Issues with Health & Safety
D.3 Toxicity of Nanomaterials
D.4 Nanopollution
D.5 Regulatory Issues
D.6 Issues of Nanoethicists
D.7 Pros & Cons for Emerging Economies

E. ROLE NANOTECHNOLOGY PLAYS IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

F. ENERGY REQUIREMENTS FOR MANUFACTURING NANOMATERIALS

G. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF NANOMANUFACTURING

H. USING NANOTECHNOLOGY OIL & GAS EXTRACTION

H.1 Introduction
H.2 Role of Nanotech in Oil & Gas Extraction
H.3 How Nanotech is being Used in Oil & Gas Extraction
H.4 Realizing Nanotechnology’s True Potential in Oil & Gas Extraction
H.5 Commercializing Nanotechnology for Use in Oil & Gas Extraction
H.6 Challenges Facing the Development of Nanotech in Oil & Gas Extraction
H.7 Health Issues

I. USING NANOTECHNOLOGY IN SOLAR POWER

I.1 Introduction
I.2 Role of Nanotech in Solar Power
I.3 How Nanomaterials are being Used in Solar Power
I.4 Commercializing Nanotechnology for Use in Solar Power
I.5 Realizing Nanotechnology’s True Potential in Solar Power
I.6 Challenges Facing the Development of Nanotech in Solar Power
I.7 Health Issues

J. USING NANOTECHNOLOGY WITH FUEL CELLS

J.1 Introduction
J.2 How Fuel Cells Utilize Nanotechnology
J.3 Case Studies

K. USING NANOTECHNOLOGY IN WIND POWER

K.1 Introduction
K.2 Role of Nanotech in Wind Power
K.3 How Carbon Nanotubes are being Used in Wind Power
K.4 Commercializing Nanotechnology for Use in Wind Power
K.5 Realizing Nanotechnology’s True Potential in Wind Power
K.6 Challenges Facing the Development of Nanotech in Wind Power
K.7 Health Issues

L. USING NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THERMOELECTRICITY

L.1 Introduction
L.1.1 What is Thermoelectricity?
L.2 How Nanotechnology is Used in Thermoelectricity
L.3 Case Studies

M. EMERGENCE OF NANOBATTERIES

M.1 Introduction
M.2 Role of Nanotech in Batteries
M.3 Commercializing Nanotechnology for Nanobatteries
M.4 Realizing Nanotechnology’s True Potential in Batteries
M.5 Challenges Facing the Development of Nanotech in Batteries
M.6 Health Issues

N. EMERGENCE OF NANOSUPERCAPACITORS

N.1 Introduction
N.2 Role of Nanotech in Supercapacitors
N.3 Commercializing Nanotechnology for Nanosupercapacitors
N.4 Challenges Facing the Development of Nanotech in Supercapacitors
N.5 Health Issues

O. USING NANOTECHNOLOGY IN AN HYDROGEN ECONOMY

O.1 Introduction
O.2 Role of Nanotech in Hydrogen Economy
O.3 How Nanotech is being Used in Hydrogen Economy
O.4 Commercializing Nanotechnology for Use in Hydrogen Power
O.5 Realizing Nanotechnology’s True Potential in Hydrogen Power
O.6 Challenges Facing the Development of Nanotech in Hydrogen Power
O.7 Health Issues

P. USING NANOTECHNOLOGY IN HEAT INSULATION & CONDUCTANCE

P.1 Introduction
P.1.1 What is Heat Insulation & Conductance?
P.2 Nanotechnology in Heat Insulation & Conductance
P.3 Case Studies

Q. NANOTECHNOLOGY & THE PROMISE OF ENERGY SECURITY

R. IMPACT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ON SEGMENTS OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

R.1 Lighting
R.2 Transportation
R.3 Nanocatalysis & Fossil Fuels
R.4 Nanotech in Airplanes and Automobiles
R.5 Fuel Cells & Advanced Combustion Systems
R.6 Impact on Solar Energy
R.7 Impact on Wind, Biomass, & Geothermal Energy
R.8 Nanotechnology & Reduced Energy Consumption
R.9 Renewable Fuels & Nanotechnology

S. NANOTECHNOLOGY & THE FUTURE OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

T. LEADING INDUSTRY PLAYERS

T.1 NanoComposites, Inc.
T.2 Elemental Analysis, Inc.
T.3 Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc.
T.4 Cnano Technology Limited
T.5 ULVAC Technologies, Inc.

U. APPENDIX

V. GLOSSARY OF TERMS


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