nanotechnology as energy source

NANOTECHNOLOGY &

ENERGY SOURCESPresented By:

Noor-ul-AinAasia Wahab

Farhat YasmeenHuma Farooq

Saba Khursheed

INTRODUCTION

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Provides multitude of approaches to energy saving

Viewed as crucial technology for technological advancement and novelties in all branches of economy

States the target-oriented mechanical application of objects and structures in a size in the range of 1 and 100 nm

NANOMETRE “Nano” is a Greek word which means “dwarf” One nanometre refers to one-billionth of a

meter One nanometre is about 3 atoms long 1nm= 10-9

Nanotechnology. SNF. Retrieved 4-12-2014, from http://snf.stanford.edu/Education/Nanotechnology.SNF.web.pdf

NANOMETRE

1 cm/10= 1 mm 1mm/10= 100 µm 100µm/100= 1µm 1µm/10= 100nm 100nm/100= 1nm

Nanotechnology. SNF. Retrieved 4-12-2014, from http://snf.stanford.edu/Education/Nanotechnology.SNF.web.pdf

NANOTECHNOLOGY

“Building and expending objects, devices, items and machines at the nanometre scale, making

use of distinctive properties that arise as a result of small dimensions that occur at that small scale”

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Following three things are included in nanotechnology: Small size, measured in 100s of manometers

or less Unique properties because of the small size Control of structure & composition on the

nm scale in order to control the properties

Why small objects are preferred?Because they are: Faster Lighter Cheaper Can get into small spaces Energy efficient Develop unique properties at small scale

NANOTECHNOLOGYProperties of materials change at nanoscale because of: Quantum mechanical effects Ratio of surface area-to-volume of structure

increases

Approaches in building small objects

Top-down Bottom-up

NANOPARTICLES

Have tiny size, incredible surface area per unit mass, light weight and are very strong

Have found applications in field of electronics, coatings, fuel cells, water filters composites, drugs cancer detection and treatment etc.

M. Krause. Introduction to nanotechnology. Veritox. Retrieved 4-12-2014, from https://www.aiha.org/aihce07/handouts/rt201krause.pdf

Use of Nanotechnology in batteries

Use of Nanotechnology in batteries Batteries store electrical energy In rechargeable batteries chemical process is reversible Batteries are important in many areas • transport • portable electronics• medical devices• power tools• Storage of electricity produced by irregular

renewable sources

Batteries are made from layers of different materials which enable the

electrochemical storage of electricity

M.Ahmed, W.A.Khan, F.Mahmood and M.Waqas Arif. Harvesting the potential of nanotechnology in renewable energy.

Benefits of Nanotechnology for Batteries Find materials suitable for use as electrodes have

high surface area Allows charge to flow more freely Resulting in higher capacity and shorter

charge/discharge cycles Safety of batteries an important concern Replace liquid electrolytes Can rupture the cell when overheated

Nanostructured materials increase surface area for electrolyte materials

Nanoparticles enhance the conductivity reduce the chance of a short circuit

Benefits of Nanotechnology for Batteries

Nanomaterials for Batteries

Electrodes Several types of nanomaterial allow for higher storage densities of lithium than standard metal or graphite electrodes Carbon-coated silicon nanowires Carbon nanotubes Layered, nanostructured vanadium oxide and manganese

oxide

Nanomaterials for Batteries

Electrolyte

Nanoparticles added to solid polymer gel Enhance the conductivity and storage capacity Solid ceramics have high temperature resistance high-stress applications like large vehicles

Improvements In Batteries

Coating the electrode’s surface with nanoparticles, nanowires, or other nanostructures Develops anodes with a greater density of locations to which

lithium ions can attach Increases the number of stored ions increases the stored electrical

powerChanging the atoms to which the lithium bonds Changes the electrochemical reaction gives more energy,

increasing the power

FUEL CELLSConverts a fuel directly into electricity in an electrochemical reactionLimitations of fuel cells Expensive materials such as platinum are needed for

the electrode catalysts Fuels other than hydrogen can cause fouling of the

electrodes Hydrogen is costly and difficult to store

Nanotechnology for Fuel Cell Catalysts

Use platinum nanoparticles instead of solid platinum surface

increases efficiency, and allows much less metal to be used

Support platinum nanoparticles on a porous surface further increases the accessibility of the platinum

surfaces

NANOTECHNOLOGY & ENERGY SOURCES

WIND ENERGY

Convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy

Uses a source to power a generator, without the harmful emissions

Use wind to generate electricity

Blades on the wind turbine

Kinetic energy

from the wind

Mechanical energy

Turn a shaft in a generator

Generate electricity

M.Ahmed, W.A.Khan, S.Hassan and Z.Ahmed. Improving wind turbine performance using nanomaterials.

Issues regarding Wind Turbines

Distribution problem Variation in wind speed Power control Life, weight, power losses and efficiency

Nanocomposite materials with excellent strength-to weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios enable construction

of longer more robust blades

Low-friction coatings and nanolubricants provide means to reduce energy losses in gearboxes and thus further

increase efficiency

Carbon nanotubes developed to make blades stronger and lighter improving energy efficiency

Nanopaints used to increase wind turbines life time

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN WIND TURBINES

WIND TURBINE PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS WITH NANOTECHNOLOGY

Ice buildup on blades and sensors

Non wetable surface, treatment: Degussa Micro-porosity of fiberglass which reduce porosity to prevent ice build up

Dirt build up on blades Self-cleaning surfaces, TIO2 nano-coating

Damage to blades Use protective coating e.g. non scratch surfaces

Reliability of rotating machine and replacing worn out components

Nano lubricant for improved wear resistance at all temperatures and pressures

Hydraulic system leaks Novel sealants based on Nano-composite

Start up and orientation requires grid power

Carbon nanotubes as fuel storage

HYDROGEN ENERGY Promising form of energy storage Process is efficient Exhaust gas produced is pure water Nanotechnology can help by using

nanomaterials at reduced cost

PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN

Solar water splitting considered as most effective and cleanest way

Solar energy directly produce hydrogen thereby making the fuel efficient alternative to batteries for storing clean energy

M.Ahmed, W.A.Khan. M.S.Anjum and Z.Ahmed. application of nanotechnology in hydrogen generation and storage.

STORAGE OF HYDROGEN

Safe and practical storage of hydrogen a major barrier to widespread use of the fuel

Storing hydrogen as a compressed gas or liquid requires extremely high pressures results in expensive tanks and risks of leaks or explosions

ISSUES WITH HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE

The production of hydrogen gas requires a large

amount of energy

Storage of hydrogen gas an issue, as it is highly

flammable in its free gaseous form

PHOTO-CATALYTIC WATER SPLITTING

Ti02

Electrons

Holes

Reduce water to form H2

Oxidize water to form O2 on the

TiO2 electrode

Sun Radiations

PHOTO-CATALYTIC WATER SPLITTING AND USE OF NANO-SIZED PARTICLES

Particle size becomes small

Distance that photo-generated electrons and holes have to migrate to reaction sites on

surface become short

Decrease in the recombination probability

Increase in the photo-catalytic activity

Nano size particles are used

PHOTO CATALYTIC NANOPARTICLES FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Nanoparticles which are titanium dioxide, a common white pigment in its bulk form have strong photo catalytic activity i.e. the ability to use the energy from sunlight to decompose molecules

Mostly applied to self-cleaning surfaces

NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE

The key is : To find a material which has

controllable hydrogen affinity Absorb and release full capacity of

fuel in shortest time possible

In 2011, scientists at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory developed a composite material composed of magnesium nanoparticles embedded in a flexible organic polymer matrix.

M.Ahmed, W.A.Khan. M.S.Anjum and Z.Ahmed. application of nanotechnology in hydrogen generation and storage.

Nanotechnology Relevant Studies

Effect of nanoparticles on heat capacity of Nanofluids based on molten salts as PCM for thermal energy storage

• Main aim is to develop a nanofluid with a phase change behavior by adding different kinds of nanoparticles

• Study of nanofluid thermal characteristics:

• Thermal conductivity• Thermal capacity

PREPARATION OF NANOFLUIDS

A binary salt; a mixture of NaNO3 and KNO3 is prepared Selected nanoparticles silica, alumina, titania and a

mixture of silica-alumina Measurements on thermophysical properties were performed

by differential scanning calorimetry analysis The dispersion of the nanoparticles was analyzed by scanning

electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULT OF THE STUDY

High thermal capacity and high thermal conductivity

Increase in the specific heat of 15% to 57% in the solid phase and of 1% to 22% in the liquid phase

The nanofluids (phase change materials) are gaining importance in many fields solar energy power plants Solar heating and cooling systems energy efficiency buildings waste heat recovery systems

Use of Nanotechnology in Solar PV Cell

Extensively use of nanotechnology in increasing the efficiency of solar cells by using: Nano-sized particles Carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) Semiconductor Quantum dots (QDs)

NANO-SIZED PARTICLES

In solar cells, bulk silicon is converted into discrete, nano-sized particles

These particles will show distinct colors depending upon their sizes

Films of 1 nm blue fluorescent Films of 2.85 nm red fluorescent silicon nanoparticles They produce large voltage enhancements with improved

power performance

CARBON NANO-TUBES (CNTS)

Incorporated to a titanium oxide nanoparticles-based solar cells

Provide a direct route i.e. the escape route to the electrons moving toward electrodes

Collect these electrons and show them a distinct path (red line shown in the figure below)

Semiconductor Quantum Dots (QDs)

Are tiny semiconductor crystals

Have the potential to convert the high energy photons present in the incident light into multiple electrons.

Usually produce three electrons when every photon of sunlight hits the dots

NANOTECHNOLOGY

& BIOENERGY

NANOTECHNOLOGY TO TURN ALGAE INTO BIOFUELS

Algae carbohydrates can be converted into ethanol or they may be gasified into bio-gas

However they pose various challenges Such challenges can be met with nanotechnology Algae have been successfully turned into biogases with

the incorporation of nanocatalysts

M. Kinman. 2009. QuantumSphere Awarded Research Grant to Turn Algae Into Biofuels. Market wired. Retrieved 4-12-2014, from http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/quantumsphere-awarded-research-grant-to-turn-algae-into-biofuels-1242512.htm

NANOCATALYSTS

https://www.jyu.fi/fysiikka/en/research/material/compns/research/index_html/supported.jpg

Heterogeneous catalysts  that are fragmented into metal nanoparticles so as to speed up the catalytic process.

They have an increased surface area

They can be easily separated & recycled

NANOPARTICLES no-harm harvesters of biofuel oils

from algae

M. Kinman. 2009. QuantumSphere Awarded Research Grant to Turn Algae Into Biofuels. Market wired. Retrieved 4-12-2014, from http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/quantumsphere-awarded-research-grant-to-turn-algae-into-biofuels-1242512.htm

Trans-esterification of fatty esters into biodiesel

Base-catalyzed transesterification reacts lipids with alcohol to produce biodiesel

The nanocatalyst spheres are used to replace the commonly used sodium methoxide as base catalyst

The process is: Economical and recyclable, reacting at mild temperatures and pressures producing cleaner biodiesel greatly reducing water consumption and environmental

contaminants

NANOPARTICLE TECHNOLOGY TRIPLES THE PRODUCTION OF

BIOGAS

BiogàsPlus involves application of nanotechnology to improve biogas production

The controlled introduction of iron oxide nanoparticles in organic waste treatment can increase the production of biogas up to 3 times

Iron oxide nanoparticles feed the bacteria Enhance biological efficacy

2014. Nanoparticle technology triples the production of biogas. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Retrieved 4-12-2014, from http://www.uab.cat/web/newsroom/news-detail/nanoparticle-technology-triples-the-production-of-biogas--1345668003610.html?noticiaid=1345676996458

HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH NANOPARTICLES

• Move in the human body through inhalation

• can deposit in human lungs• reduces the ability of

alveolar macrophages to clean off foreign particles.

• can lead to various respiratory inflammation and tissue damage

• Insignificant penetration of TiO2 nanoparticles through the skin layer.