Tiny Solutions to our BIG Energy Problem

What is Energy?

U.S. Energy Consumption by Source

www.eia.doe.gov

Fossil Fuels= 84% 2008

Problems with Fossil Fuels...

Problems with Fossil Fuels...

CO2CO2CO2

www.abcnews.go.com

Aerial View of Boston - Today

After sea level rises 3 meters

www.abcnews.go.com

What is nanotechnology?

1) Harness Energy

2) Distribute Energy

3) Use Energy

Nanotechnology can improve how we:

Problems with Traditional Solar Panels

Flexible Thin Film Solar Panels

Courtesy: Nova

Nanoparticle Ink

“Printing” Process

Not just on the roof!

Courtesy: Nova

Nano-solar paint?

Courtesy: Nova

Carbon Nanotube

Lighting

For more information:

www.understandingnano.com (click on Energy Tab)

www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/solar/ (“Saved by the Sun”)

www.energystar.gov (info on Tax Credits)

This project was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ESI-0532536.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

Additional funding for development of this product was provided by the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center headquartered at Harvard University and the Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing headquartered at Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and the University of New Hampshire, with support from the National Science Foundation.