application of nanotechnologies in the energy sector

What is nanotechnology?

Application of Nanotechnologies in the Energy SectorNano science future1

Basiony Shehata Atia MohamedFaculty of Energy EngineeringElectrical Engineering DepartmentASWAN UNIVERSITY

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2Nano science futureWhat is nanotechnology?

Nanoscale Materials.!!Nanoscale materials contain nanoparticles by using nanotechnology and this nanoparticles materials have at least one dimension that is less than 100 nm and Thin films, layers and surfaces in two dimensions.Nanoparticles have tiny size, light weight, incredible surface area per unit mass and are very strong.There are several processes to create nanomaterials, classified as top-down and bottom-up.Nano science future3

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Approaches in Building small objectsbottom-up


top-down

Energy applications of nanotechnology..!Photovoltaic solar cells..Generate electricity directly from sunlight by two main types:Single crystal silicon (traditional):Widespread.Expensive to manufacture.Less efficiency.Dye-sensitized (nano):Newer.Inexpensive to manufacture.High efficiency Flexible.Nano science future6


Disadvantages of solar cellsLess efficiency, high manufacturing cost and converts only bluish light of sunlight not red light.

Most times incoming photons and light have less band gap energy.

Because of less band energy electrons doesnt move to generate electricity.

Extra energy is wasted in heat form.


nano for improvements ..!Solar cells coated with thin film of silicon of 1 nanometer are most efficient and offers more Absorption of photons.Thin films improve performance by 60% of UV rays are absorbed.Single wall carbon Nanotubes are most efficiency than nanoparticles alone.


Thin Films

Quantum Dots (QDs)Nanotechnology use Quantum dots(QD) to increase efficiency of solar cells.Conventional materials in one photon generates just one electron.Quantum Dots have potential to generates multiple electrons.Use of dots increase the electrons to move from Valance band to conduction band very easily.


schematic of Quantum dots

Plastic solar cellsScientists have invented a plastic solar cell that can turn the suns power into electrical energy even on a cloudy day. The new material uses nanotechnology and absorbs the infrared part of the suns energy.

Flexible, roller processed solar cells have the potential to turn the suns power into a clean, green, consistent source of energy.Nano science future11

Wind energy..Convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy.Use wind to generate electricity.Uses a source to power a generator, without the harmful emissions.


Disadvantages of Wind Turbines.. Variation in wind speed.Power control.Life time, weight, power losses and efficiency.


Nanotechnology in Wind Turbines..Nano science future14

Nano-optimized Energy Storage..Electrical Energy StorageUsing Supercapacitors by advanced nanocarbons (CNTs or graphene).Carbon aerogel as nanoporous substances are perfectly suitable as graphitic electrode materials in supercapacitors.Due to..Extremely high inner surface.Power densities of more than 10 kw/kgUsed in mobile applications, where high energy amounts have to provided in a short period of time.Nano science future15

aerogel

Electrochemical energy storageUsing supercapacitors and batteries.Nanotechnology can enhance the safety and capacity of lithium ion batteries greatly.By nanotechnology can find materials suitable for use as electrodes have high surface area and allow charge to flow more freely.By nanotechnology can replace liquid electrolytes due to higher capacity and shorter charge cycles.Nanoparticles enhance the conductivity and reduce the chance of a short circuit.Changing the atoms to which the lithium bonds and changes the- electrochemical reaction gives more energy and increasing the power.


Nanomaterials for batteries..!ElectrodesSeveral 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.Nano science future17

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


Fuel CellsConverts a fuel directly into electricity in an electrochemical reaction Limitations of fuel cells.Use expensive materials such as platinum are needed for the electrode catalysts.Hydrogen is costly and difficult to store.Fuel cells are often considered in the context of hydrogen, because they convert hydrogen and oxygen to water, producing electricity and heat in the process.Nano science future19

Nano-optimized fuel cells..!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.CNTs may be important for composite components in fuel cells because of high strength and toughness-to-weight characteristicsNano science future20

Hydrogen EnergyThe hydrogen economy is a future economy in which hydrogen is the primary form of stored energy for mobile applications and load balancing.Promising form of energy storage and efficient Process.Exhaust gas produced is pure water.

Nanotechnology can help by using nanomaterials at reduced cost.Nanostructured materials absorb full capacity of fuel in short time.Nanotechnology may help hydrogen storage problems.Nano science future21

Production of Hydrogen EnergySolar 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.Nano science future22

Storage of Hydrogen EnergyStorage of hydrogen gas an issue, as it is highly flammable in its free gaseous form.

There are two ways to store hydrogen in materials. Absorption of the hydrogen within the material.Storing the hydrogen in a container.

The challenge for absorption is to control the diameter of the nanotube and the absorption energy of hydrogen on the outside and inside of the tube is high enough to provide the desired storage capacity at an acceptable pressure and low cost.


Single-walled CNTs are solving the storage problem for hydrogen-fueled cars and trucks.

CNTs could still facilitate storage in a container and may be used in super-strong composites in the bodies of the vehicles to make them lighter.

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


Nanotechnology Applications Relevant to Electricity Transmission!Nanotechnology may help improve the efficiency of electricity transmission wires.

Now there are conventional wires for transmission electricity such as aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) wire.

Developing a nanomaterial-based metal-matrix overhead conductor known as the aluminum conductor composite reinforced (ACCR) wire.


Advantages of ACCRProvide more than twice the transmission capacity of conventional conductors of similar size and high-performance.Designed to resist heat sag.Strength and life time provided by its composite nano-crystalline aluminum oxide fibers.

MWCNT SWCNT


Using CNTs Single-walled CNTs extremely high electrical conductivity (more than 10 times greater than copper).Possessing flexibility, elasticity and tensile strength.Replacing current wires with nanoscale wires called (Quantum wires).The electrical conductivity of QW is higher than that of copper at one-sixth the weight.QW is twice as strong as steel.HTS cables can carry more power at the same voltage than conventional cables.They have a lower susceptibility to temperature-related faults than overhead lines.Nano science future27


Questions.??


application of nanotechnologies in the energy sector

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