Nanotechnology Impact on Energy:
Trends and Futures
Mkhulu Mathe
The NPEP: Energy & Nanotechnology
MRT, Sandton CC
03 March 2011
Just a thought!
Nano ……………………….fill in the blank
Outline
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Energy alarm
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Nano-Energy Applications
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How does own research fit with the big picture?
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Path to Market
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Collaboration
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Sponsorships/Funders
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Nanotech R&D in SA
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Concluding remarks
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Innovation is the only authentic competitive advantage –
2011 Global Futures Forecast
Technofutures: Dr James Canton
•‘Half of all the products that will be
Transformative research –
‘which is driven by ideas that
have potential to radically change
sold in the next 5 years haven’t been
our understanding of an important
invented’
scientific concept, or lead to the
•In the last 50 years there has been
more technology innovation than in
the previous 5000 years
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creation of a new paradigm, or a
new field of science’
www.bsf.org.il/bsfpublic
Future population and final energy consumption
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Primary energy and final energy consumption
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Nano-Energy applications
Nanoscience and Solar Energy
Manipulation of photons, electrons, and molecules.
liquid
electrolyte
transparent electrode
conducting glass
TiO2 nanocrystals
Artificial
Photosynthesis
Adsorbed dye
N
Nanostructured
Thermoelectrics
Quantum Dot Solar Cells
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Quasi-one dimensional metal nanostructures
A- nanowires & nanorods
B- core-shell structures –metallic core
C- nanotubules/ nanopipes – hollow
nanorods
D- heterostructures
E- nanobelts/ nanoribbons
F- nanotapes
G- dendrites
H- hierachical nanostructures
I- nanosphere assembly
J- nanosprings
Progress in Materials Science 52 (2007) 699 - 913
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Nano-Energy applications…….
Li ion batteries: Storage
= MnO2
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Nanotechnology &Nanoscience
- impact on energy and environmental systems
- contribute to a sustainable energy system
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Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science 10 (2006) 132 - 143
Photovoltaics and their fit with CSIR R&D
Basic Operation of a Traditional
Solar Cell
Step 1: Photons (packets of sunlight) hit cell 
are absorbed by semiconducting materials, e.g.
silicon
Step 2: Electrons (negatively charged) knocked
loose from their atoms  allowing them to flow
through the material to produce electricity
Step 3: Complementary positive charges created
(called “holes”) flow in the direction opposite of
the electrons
NB: Array (panel) of solar cells converts solar
energy into a usable amount of direct current
(DC) electricity
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Dye-sensitised Solar Cell Research Focus Areas
•Studies on the improvement in cell
efficiency – synthesis and
application of TiO2 NTs, novel dyes,
core-shell materials
•Studies on the effects of reverse
COOH
N
bias potentials on the performance
of DSCs
N
Ru
TBA+ -OOC
N
NCS
NCS
•Outdoor testing of DSC cells vs. aSi and c-Si cells
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COO- +TBA
N
HOOC
Technology Growth for Market
“Nanotechnology is perceived as one of the key technologies of the
21st century with a potential to grow into a 1 trillion euro
industry within a decade.” Renzo Tomellini
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Applications and markets
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Collaborators
KIST
Wits
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Potential Funders
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South African Nano Research Focus Areas
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Social
energy
health
water
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Industrial
mining & minerals
chemical & bioprocessing
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advanced materials
Nanotech R&D in SA
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Concluding remarks
1. Nanotechnology and nanoscience will have impact in
Energy use: Storage, Conversion & Sources
2. Energy challenges are globally linked for social and
industrial needs
3. Innovation in nanotechnology will help solve future energy
problems
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Energy Island
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Thank you