15-05-2013, 02:07 PM
ENERGY HARVESTING USING NANOTECHNOLOGY
ENERGY HARVESTING.doc (Size: 431.5 KB / Downloads: 22)
ABSTRACT:
This paper is about how to harvest energy in an efficient way by using nanotechnology. Two efficient way discussed in this paper are 1. Improving the efficiency of wind mills by using wind blades made of carbon nanotubes, which are lighter in weight than currently used glass fibers and hence can rotate at very low wind speed itself.
2. Generating sufficient voltage to charge cell phones, iPod while walking or running by using shoes made from
Nano based rubber films consisting of Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) and Silicone. As PZT being a piezoelectric material can convert 80% of mechanical energy into electrical energy it can be used to charge pacemakers by body movements.
3. Can nanotechnology helps in reducing the amount of CO2 in atmosphere? Yes… CO2 can be used to produce Carbon Nanotubes Tubes by “re-carbonization” process.
INTRODUCTION:
In 2008, total worldwide energy consumption was 474 exajoules (5×1020 J) with 80 to 90 percent derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. This is equivalent to an average power consumption rate of 15 terawatts (1.504×1013 W). With increase in power consumption, the amount of fossil fuel usage is also increasing and the amount of co2 in atmosphere also increases. Therefore the danger level of global warming goes up in rocket speed. Thus we are in a desperate situation to change for alternate energy resources and energy production.
ENERGY HARVESTING RUBBER SHEETS: [1]
A ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous (e.g., glass).
A piezoelectric material generates an electrical voltage when pressure is applied to it.
Lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a ceramic material that is piezoelectric shows the maximum piezoelectric effect i.e. it is capable of converting 80% of mechanical force into electrical energy.
PZT is 100 times more efficient than quartz crystal.
Carbon dioxide and nanotechnology:
Our primary environmental risk this century seems to be the increasing amount of CO2 emission from energy generating processes. The uncontrolled build up of atmospheric CO2 projects directly to catastrophic global warming (over 4o C by century end). What to do with the excess CO2 is our dilemma. Can Nanotechnology help to stop the growth or even reduce CO2 emission before it is too late? The preliminary answer is "yes … use the excess CO2 emissions to make carbon nanotubes.”