|
News & information about the fast-moving world
of digital manufacturing, modeling & simulation
November 06, 2012
Nanotechnology to Save Renewable Energy
Despite claims that clean energy alternatives, such as wind and solar power, are the future, we currently have no good way to store and deliver energy that these sources produce. Fossil fuels now deliver over two-thirds of the Earth's electricity, but because they are non-renewable, wind and solar look increasingly attractive, despite shortfalls in reliability and transport. Fortunately, scientists may have found a way to save solar and wind power: nanotechnology-based batteries.
The first problem that these batteries would help clean energy to overcome is its dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels. Because solar power is not generated in cloud cover or at night, and wind intensities fluctuate, backup fossil fuel-driven power plants are necessary to provide power. Advancements combining nanotechnology with batteries would allow excess energy to be stored for times of greater need and lower energy output.
Renewable energy storage is available in 2 percent of the US power grid, 10 percent of Europe's and 15 percent of Japan's, but most utilize an inefficient form of hydroelectric power, over which batteries would have a distinct advantage. Alternatives, such as compressed air-powered turbines, would require fossil fuels as backup power. Traditional lead acid batteries lack efficiency upon multiple rechargings, and lithium-ion batteries are too costly for large-scale implementation.
So where does that lead researchers?
According to Yi Cui, a materials scientist at Stanford University, it brings us to a novel battery based on nanoparticles. “What is exciting about this battery is its long cycle life, high power and low cost, which makes it ideal for grid-scale storage applications,” Cui says.
Like other batteries, this nanoparticle-based solution employs a cathode and anode. The crystalline copper hexacyanoferrate cathode, at a mere 50 nanometers wide, is only 20 times thicker than a DNA strand, while the carbon anode is between 5 and 10 microns wide – about 20 times thinner than a strand of human hair. More details are available online at Nature Communications.
Cui notes that the cathode and anode materials are cheap and abundant, and the technology “can be easily implemented by lithium-ion battery production facilities.” And while the batteries are too low-density for consumer electronics and electric cars, Cui claims that they could be revolutionary for grid-scale storage.
Full story at Txchnologist
Discussion
There are 0 discussion items posted.
|
Join the Discussion |
RSS Feeds
Feeds by Content Type
Subscribe to All Content
June 18, 2013
- AV&R Vision & Robotics and IMAC Automation Merge
- Mediabistro Announces Keynote Speakers for Inside 3D Printing Conference & Expo
- ExOne Collaborates With Ispen to Offer Complete 3D Printing Solution
- HPC Innovation Excellence Awards: ESTECO Technology Wins All Along the Line
- Deltamarin Poland Chooses ZWCAD+ for More Efficient Vessel Designs
June 17, 2013
- ABB Increases Top Payload of IRB 1600
- Robotics Education & Competition Foundation Receives Texas Workforce Commission Grant
- Infocast Presents the Automation, Robotics, and Supply Chain Summit
- RAPID Conference Reflects Potential of 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing Technology
- ESI Opens Offices on the Ter@tec Campus Dedicated to Simulation and HPC
- Pirate3D Offers 3D Printing Experience from Digital to Physical Objects for Non-Technical Consumers
- Tabor Communications and EMI Partner to Publish HPCwire Japan
June 14, 2013
- Honeywell Helps Airbus A350 XWB Soar
- Conference and Networking Event by ELRIG: Robotics and Automation
- CADsoft Consulting Host to bimSCORE Executive Roundtable
- Ellison Technologies Automation Celebrates 30th Anniversary
June 13, 2013
- Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE Selected by Pininfarina to Design New Concept Car
- European Robotics Leader Successfully Deploys with ITTIA DB SQL
- The Hello Kitty Effect - Robotics Meets Cuteness
- Hagerman & Company to Host Autodesk PLM 360 Webcast Series
Most Read Features
- Modeling a Stronger Nuclear Weapon
- What Drives the Offshoring Tide?
- Can Obama’s National Network Fill the Missing Middle?
Most Read Off the Wire
- FIRST Appoints Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors
- Dell Laptops Come to Airbus Cockpits
- Lockheed Martin Conducts Warhead EMD Flight Test
- Wohlers Report Reveals Growth in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
- Eurocom Launches 4th Generation Intel Core Line
- Digi-Key Supports Minnesota State Robotics Tournament
- TI Introduces High Performance Evaluation Module
- Autodesk and NetSuite Partner to Transform Manufacturing in the Cloud
- Maker Faire Announces "Maker Week" in San Mateo County
- "Places2Be" Project to Boost European Leadership Around FD-SOI
Most Read Blogs
Feature Articles
GE Turns to Makers to Bring 3D Printing to Aerospace
At 30,000 feet, equipment failure is simply not an option, which is part of why additive manufacturing has been a bit slow to catch on in the aerospace industry. But according to Michael Idelchik, vice president of GE’s advanced technologies research, GE Aviation is still looking for more ways that additive manufacturing can help to create a better airplane...
Read more...
Is Automation to Blame for Our Economic Woes?
Despite reassurances of automation professionals throughout the industry, some experts simply aren't convinced that technological advancements in robotics and automation aren't negatively impacting U.S. employment rates, which is what Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee of the MIT Sloan School of Management have been arguing over the past year and a half.
Read more...
Simulations Sail into the Shipyard
As far as modeling and simulation are concerned, nautical transportation isn’t one of the first things to come to mind. Still, it presents a unique use case for computer-integrated manufacturing, as the focus of the modeling and simulation is on the construction process itself. By coordinating the insertion of massive hull blocks, it not only streamlines construction, but it improves safety as well.
Read more...
Short Takes
3D Printer Section Appears on Amazon
Jun 14, 2013 |
Last month’s news of 3D printers entering brick-and-mortar Staples stores may have represented a major step in mainstream commercialization of additive manufacturing tools, but in what is perhaps an even bigger step, online retail giant Amazon recently added a dedicated section of its site to 3D printers and supplies.
Read more...
Experts Chime in on the Future of Global Manufacturing
Jun 12, 2013 |
In the wake of the economic downturn, reshoring efforts and increased emphasis on STEM, there’s plenty of uncertainty about where global manufacturing is headed in the next several years. Helping to give us a better sense of this trajectory is a group of thought leaders who have come together to try and answer the most pertinent questions about the future.
Read more...
Are Bachelor's Degrees All They're Cracked Up to Be?
Jun 11, 2013 |
As the U.S. manufacturing sector fights to stay competitive on a global scale, the issue of improving STEM education has been key. But in a recent study measuring how workers in STEM fields are putting their educations to use it was found that half didn't need a bachelor's degree.
Read more...
Chevy Looks to Rapid Prototyping for the 2014 Malibu
Jun 10, 2013 |
Chevrolet has added digital manufacturing technology to its arsenal. Abandoning clay for their latest Malibu, the automaker has turned to two types of additive manufacturing to meet their rapid prototyping needs.
Read more...
Big Data Meets Additive Manufacturing
Jun 07, 2013 |
When you think of the aerospace technologies, the term “cutting-edge” doesn't often lag far behind. Even so, GE Aviation's new jet engine fuel nozzle is helping to take that association one step further: rather than being made from 20 different parts, it's manufactured in a single step with a 3D printer, which has made it 25 percent lighter.
Read more...
Sponsored Whitepapers
Big Data and Big Analytics for Product and Process Quality
03/20/2013 | SAS | This white paper examines how an enterprise-wide quality platform can turn existing data into substantial and sustainable revenue growth and cost savings for global manufacturers. The paper is based on the findings of the IW/SAS Enterprise Quality Survey completed by more than 400 manufacturing executives. The objectives of the survey were to determine concerns about quality among manufacturers; investigate the tools used to measure quality; and examine how using enterprise-wide analysis on quality data improves performance.
TATA Steel Automotive Engineering Depends on Univa
07/19/2011 | Univa | TATA Steel Automotive Engineering’s concern grew when open source Grid Engine support and development was discontinued by Oracle. Grid Engine is a business critical application in their environment. They recognized the likelihood that product enhancements and innovations would cease. Read how TATA Steel Automotive Engineering moved from a self-support solution to Univa Grid Engine. You can get more out of your environment and your budget with Univa Grid Engine.
Featured Events
- July 9, 2013
- July 10, 2013
Supply Chain Logistics
Heathrow,
United Kingdom
- July 9, 2013
- July 10, 2013
V2V & V2I for Auto Safety USA 2013
Novi/Detroit, MI
United States
- August 29, 2013
- August 30, 2013
CIO Manufacturing Summit
Scottsdale, AZ
United States
- September 16, 2013
- September 17, 2013
Manufacturing CXO Summit
Las Vegas, NV
United States
- November 17, 2013
- November 22, 2013
SC'13
Denver, CO
United States
Copyright © 2011-2013 Tabor Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Digital Manufacturing Report is a registered trademark of Tabor Communications, Inc. Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Tabor Communications Inc. is prohibited.
Powered by Xtenit.