Nanotechnology Could Thrust Us Light Years Forward

By: Shane Sabine

“Energy is a national security issue, and it is an international security issue of the highest order,” states president-elect’s National Security Advisor, Jim Jones. America’s reliance on foreign oil must cease, and innovation regarding solar energy might lead us in the right direction.

Nanotechnology may be our answer according to Cornell University. Research is being conducted at some of the world’s leading universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, and is supported by the likes of the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. Please refer to Mr. Bill Steele’s report: Cornell Chronicle.

Ms. Marlow Epstein of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office in Arlington, VA provided four convincing reasons to implement nanotechnology:

1. Today’s flat rooftop solar panels are a little more than 20% efficient and could be limited to about 30% efficiency.
2. High-energy photons generating multiple electrons with solar cells made of silicon nanocrystals could convert more than 40% of the energy in light into electric power.
3. Reduced manufacturing costs as a result of using a low temperature process similar to printing instead of the high temperature vacuum deposition process typically used to produce conventional cells made with crystalline semiconductor material.
4. Reduced installation costs achieved by producing flexible rolls instead of rigid crystalline panels.

The aforementioned points have validity, and nanotechnology is certainly a hot issue. Please remember to read about the associated potential risks at "How Nanotechnology Works" in order to educate yourself more fully.