Our Big Problems, Solved by Small Atomic Structures

Alexander Millet Ayala

We currently have a worldwide problem with our energy usage making the earth taking more contaminants in the atmosphere, contributing to what we call global warming. We depend on power plants to power our houses and household appliances to make our lives simplified. Power plants may be a thing of the past with recent inventions in nanotechnology. Solving the problem requires different types of materials with different uses. Let’s start with the carbon nanotube polymer, which acts like a polarizer when the person needs it. The material is done by vaporizing graphite, turning it into a mesh nanotube and then adding it into a flexible plastic that can be normally seen through, and the light will pass through. The special thing about this material, is that with a minimal electrical charge (2 volts), it will turn colored, and reflect the light trying to cross over the material. Some applications for this is the difference of sun intake on different seasons, turning it on to make the room colder on summer, off when you need the room warmer on winter, and it would also work as a privacy filter. This would save energy in winters by efficiently changing the light and heat into the room, and not the thermostat.

An illustration of the mesh nanotube that would be used.

But what about the energy, how can we get clean and easy energy? The answer is also in nanotechnology, by combining two different kinds of nanomaterials, a detector and imager that turns infrared waves at day, or night, and turns into electrons, which can be stored or used at the moment. Electrons, as discussed in class, are the elemental particle which makes electricity possible when it flows through a medium. This makes obtaining energy in a continuous way, even at regions with low sunlight. The great thing about this material is that it is also a transparent material that can be used with the carbon nanotube polarizer. Combining these two materials can make any window be an efficient energy generator, and energy saver. So, now what is missing is a battery to hold the electrons, which are now being built and tested with various nanomaterials in the University of Texas. These batteries are the last component to the plan, because what’s the use of energy if you cannot store it for when it is needed? These are needed to hold those electrons obtained by the nanomaterials, and release them when needed in the most efficient manner, while occupying a relatively small space. 

A sheet of the nanomaterials in a flexible plastic polymer.

This can change everything and eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We could power cars, planes, houses, buildings, etc. with the stored energy in the batteries. This also solves problems in third world countries that need electricity, and clean water. Animals also could benefit too, since the other clean renewable methods of energy have the problem that it could destroy their ecosystems.  Examples with this are natural gas, which can poison water or even explode in the event of a leak, and eolic energy windmills that could destroy bird nests. With free energy, the next generations could have the opportunity to have better human conditions and a cleaner world.

References:

“The Future of Nano-Electric Power Generation”. Sunlitepower.org. Web.  November 11, 2011. November 24, 2011.

Additional resources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/justin_hall_tipping_freeing_energy_from_the_grid.html