Nanoelectronics key to advances
in renewable energy
Abstract:
Nanoscale technology looks promising as a major
contributor to advancements needed to fulfill the
potential of emerging sources of clean, renewable
energy.
Nanoelectronics key to advances in renewable
energy
Tempe, AZ | Posted on February 17th, 2014
Progress in the comparatively new area of
nanoelectronics in particular could be the basis
for new manufacturing processes and devices to
make renewable energy systems and technologies
more efficient and cost-effective.
Stephen Goodnick will focus on what
nanoelectronics advances could do to help push
the performance of solar energy systems to the
next level in his talk at the 2014 annual meeting
of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS) Feb. 13-17 in Chicago.
His presentation will lead off a session on Feb.
16, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., titled
"Nanoelectronics for Renewable Energy: How
Nanoscale Innovations Address Global Needs."
Goodnick is a professor in the School of Electrical,
Computer and Energy Engineering, one of Arizona
State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of
Engineering.
Titled "Pathways to Next-Generation
Photovoltaics," Goodnick's presentation will look
at how innovations driven by nanoelectronics
research can enable photovoltaic technology to
significantly improve our ability to convert
sunlight and heat into electric power.
He'll specifically delve into how new types of
nanostructure-based devices can make it possible
to produce photovoltaic solar cells that achieve
better energy-conversion efficiency.
Goodnick explains that the key is in the different
characteristics, properties and behavior of
materials at the nanoscale.
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter (one
meter is a little more the 39 inches long). About
100,000 nanometers amount to the same
thickness as a typical sheet of paper.
At that tiny scale, silicon and other materials that
are used to make solar cells can perform in ways
that boost the effectiveness of devices for
producing energy, Goodnick says.
"With the use of nanoparticles, made into
nanostructures, we could, for instance, improve
optical collection, enabling systems to trap more
light for conversion into electrical power," he
says.
"Using nanomaterials, we could make solar cells
even thinner but still more efficient, and we could
increase the capacity of energy-storage devices,"
he says.
Such progress will hinge on the success of
science and engineering research in overcoming
current high production costs and some technical
challenges. But Goodnick says he's confident
nanotechnology advances "are going to be big
factors in the future of energy."
Goodnick's talk is part of an AAAS conference
session that will also feature additional
presentations on aspects of nanoelectronics and
renewable energy by four other scientists and
engineers who will join Goodnick in a research
collaboration beginning in July at the Institute for
Advanced Study at the Technical University
Munich in Germany.
Goodnick has been awarded the German
university's Hans Fischer Senior Fellowship, which
will enable him to spend six months conducting
research at the institute this year. The fellowship
award is given to engineers and scientists doing
innovative work in areas of interest to the
institute.
####
in renewable energy
Abstract:
Nanoscale technology looks promising as a major
contributor to advancements needed to fulfill the
potential of emerging sources of clean, renewable
energy.
Nanoelectronics key to advances in renewable
energy
Tempe, AZ | Posted on February 17th, 2014
Progress in the comparatively new area of
nanoelectronics in particular could be the basis
for new manufacturing processes and devices to
make renewable energy systems and technologies
more efficient and cost-effective.
Stephen Goodnick will focus on what
nanoelectronics advances could do to help push
the performance of solar energy systems to the
next level in his talk at the 2014 annual meeting
of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS) Feb. 13-17 in Chicago.
His presentation will lead off a session on Feb.
16, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., titled
"Nanoelectronics for Renewable Energy: How
Nanoscale Innovations Address Global Needs."
Goodnick is a professor in the School of Electrical,
Computer and Energy Engineering, one of Arizona
State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of
Engineering.
Titled "Pathways to Next-Generation
Photovoltaics," Goodnick's presentation will look
at how innovations driven by nanoelectronics
research can enable photovoltaic technology to
significantly improve our ability to convert
sunlight and heat into electric power.
He'll specifically delve into how new types of
nanostructure-based devices can make it possible
to produce photovoltaic solar cells that achieve
better energy-conversion efficiency.
Goodnick explains that the key is in the different
characteristics, properties and behavior of
materials at the nanoscale.
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter (one
meter is a little more the 39 inches long). About
100,000 nanometers amount to the same
thickness as a typical sheet of paper.
At that tiny scale, silicon and other materials that
are used to make solar cells can perform in ways
that boost the effectiveness of devices for
producing energy, Goodnick says.
"With the use of nanoparticles, made into
nanostructures, we could, for instance, improve
optical collection, enabling systems to trap more
light for conversion into electrical power," he
says.
"Using nanomaterials, we could make solar cells
even thinner but still more efficient, and we could
increase the capacity of energy-storage devices,"
he says.
Such progress will hinge on the success of
science and engineering research in overcoming
current high production costs and some technical
challenges. But Goodnick says he's confident
nanotechnology advances "are going to be big
factors in the future of energy."
Goodnick's talk is part of an AAAS conference
session that will also feature additional
presentations on aspects of nanoelectronics and
renewable energy by four other scientists and
engineers who will join Goodnick in a research
collaboration beginning in July at the Institute for
Advanced Study at the Technical University
Munich in Germany.
Goodnick has been awarded the German
university's Hans Fischer Senior Fellowship, which
will enable him to spend six months conducting
research at the institute this year. The fellowship
award is given to engineers and scientists doing
innovative work in areas of interest to the
institute.
####
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