Nanotechnology and the Future of Energy Programs
Department of Electrical & Computer Systems Engineering
Monash University August 10, 2005
Dr Peter BinksCEO Nanotechnology Victoria
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Topics
Nanotechnologies: a Business Perspective
Nanotechnologies and Energy
Australian Nanotechnology
Conclusion
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Nanotechnologies and the Economy
Nanotechnologies (“engineering at the molecular level”) are long and expensive developments, and have impact on many sectors over 20-30 years
Nanotechnologies aren’t stand-alone industries. They provides new competitive dimensions to existing industries and companies, particularly those approaching maturity
Nanotechnologies have a critical role in the future Australian economy
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Nanotechnology: Value PropositionWhat does nanotechnology have to offer that existing technologies do not?
Nanoscale particles have fundamentally different optical and reactive properties, that larger particles do notRecently identified nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes havefundamentally different mechanical and electrical properties
Diameter 1-20 nanometre; length up to 50 microns.
Density: 2 times lighter than aluminium
Tensile strength: 100 times that of steel.
Electrical conductivity: superior to copper;
Thermal conductivity: superior to diamond.
Biocompatible
Nanoscale particles provide a different proposition in biological systems than larger particles. Further, nanotechnology allows:
morphological control
dimensional control
interfacial control
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The Nanotechnology MarketsAccelerating expenditure… …but unclear market size
Source: The Economist, Jan 2005
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Nanotechnology EvolutionMaterials Sciences and
Nanobiotechnologiesare the areas of opportunity for
Australia
Defense & Security
Materials sciences: particles & composites
MaturingConsumer electronics
Moores’ Law Miniaturization of
microelectronics
Pharmaeconomics
Personalisedmedicine
Nanobiotechnology
Nanoscale integration of Computing and biologicalfunctions
? ?
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Leading Nanotechnology NationsIndustrial leaders:• USA• Japan• South Korea• EU Bloc: Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium
Large industrializing nations:• China• India• Brazil• Russia (?)
Smaller industrial nations:• Taiwan• Israel• Italy• Switzerland• Singapore• United Kingdom (esp Ireland)• Canada• Australia• Scandinavian countries (?)
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US Perspective: The Energy ChallengeActivities led by key agencies:
Energetic materials for propulsion, explosives (DOD)
Catalysis, fuel cells, hydrogen (DOE)
Advanced power systems (IA)
Energy conversion and storage for space (NASA)
Materials science and engineering (NSF)
Manufacturing processes and equipment (NIST)
Biomass conversion, hydrogen production, distributed power (USDA)
Grand Challenges:
1. Nanostructured Materials by Design2. Manufacturing at the Nanoscale3. Explosive Detection and Protection4. Nanoscale Instrumentation and
Metrology5. Nano-Electronics, Photonics, and
Magnetics6. Healthcare, Therapeutics and
Diagnostics7. EFFICIENT ENERGY CONVERSION
AND STORAGE8. Microcraft and Robotics9. Nanoscale Processes for
Environmental Improvement
Research to accelerate transition of scientific discovery into innovative industrial technologies
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US Nanotechnology Companies…next-generation technology will finally make solar power competitive. The new photovoltaics use tiny solar cells embedded in thin sheets of plastic to create an energy-producing material that is cheap, efficient, and versatile. … Massachusetts-based Konarka expects to deliver its first commercial solar cells, designed for use with consumer electronics like laptops, by year's end…
Konarka
Nanostellar develops highly efficient Platinum Nano-Composite Catalysts for:
- Automobile Emission Control
- Fuel Cells
- Chemical Industry applications
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Australian nanotechnologiesAustralian nanotechnologies build on strengths in innovation and production in:
biotechnologyminerals, energy, and renewablesagribusinessmedicineautomotive
New materials and particles
Medical/pharmadevices & processes
Environ & Agriproducts
Energy products
Research Base• 70 research institutions• A$100m annual investment• CRCs
Commercial Activity• Over 30 new companies• Multinational partners
Infrastructure• Facilities• Education• Personnel
Nanotechnology Australia: Capabilities & Commercial Potential (Invest Australia, 2004-05)
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Australian nanotechnology industries
…leading in nanomedicine
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Key Companies -Australia
Sustainable Technologies International (STI, based in Queanbeyan ACT) - first commercial installation of dye-sensitised solar panels. High efficiency via nano-sized powders used in the electrodes of the panel. Powders are lightly sintered to form a nano-network which is used as the charge collector
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL, based in Melbourne) - a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) development company. Nanotechnology is being explored in SOFCs for application in the anode, cathode and electrolyte materials. This allows increased manufacturing control and higher surface areas that would enable higher power production
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Australian OpportunitiesThere are opportunities to capture the benefits of nanotechnology in Australian energy:
Reduced reliance on fossil fuels: increased use of renewables, in particular solar energy, hydrogen
Integration with specialist manufacturing industries, in particular medical, automotive
Growth of companies to manufacture components, catalysts, cells, based on new technologies
Development of solutions tailored to Australia, e.g. distributed energy storage and production
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Example: Nanoscience in Melbourne
La Trobe University
University of Melbourne
Swinburne University
CSIROMonash University
RMIT University
Melbourne has the potential for a nanoscience precinct:
Critical mass of multidisciplinary research
Optimal investment in assets and infrastructure
Industrial focus
MiniFABDeakin University
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Commercialisation – NanoVicSince 2003, Nanotechnology Victoria is a State-funded vehicle for commercialising nanotechnologies in Victoria
Investments in Enabling Infrastructure:• NanoArrays• NanoDiagnostics• Microscopy
$1m NanoVic investment
supported $10m facility at Monash
Industrial Nanotechnology Development:• 22 companies in client base• Earning commercial revenue• Novel “demonstrator” model• Clear industry strategy
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Leading Nanomanufacturingcapability:• Carbon nanotubes• Quantum dots• Clayton cluster• Integration – MiniFAB, CSIRO
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ConclusionNanotechnology may be an important component of the future of energy. Further:
Nanotechnology provides new opportunities within most industries
Nanotechnology is seen as critical to the energy challenge of the US economy
Australia has an opportunity to develop nanotechnology-based energy products for domestic and international use