An Analysis of the Use of Nanotechnology in Electrical Energy Production and Storage and as a Means of Reducing Energy Consumption.

The energy demand all over the world is expected to be 28 terawatts by 2050, which can lead to increase of energy consumption patterns and greenhouse gas production. (P.Alivisatos et al. 2005) One of the most significant issues the industrialised world is facing today is the energy challenge, issues associated with energy production, storage and reducing consumption of energy use. The use of energy has reason to rise over time due to an increase in the world population and the discovery of new technologies which require electrical energy. The electrical energy is used everywhere, from heating homes to manufacturing. The energy resources are divided into two types: alternative and traditional energy resources. The global energy challenge is primarily related to the limits of the traditional resources - major organic and mineral resources of our planet. For example, fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, oil and natural gas, whose use can damage the environment. In addition, due to their limited availability, they could one day run out. However, there is a possibility to use alternative energy resources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biofuel, which are renewable and do not harm our environment. A potential solution of energy crisis could be the use of nanotechnology, which can drive the exploration of a variety of alternative energy sources, from solar cells to hydrogen fuel cells to efficient batteries. Nanotechnology is the branch of engineering which studies objects measured by a nanometer – billionth of a meter. It is the collective term for a range of technologies, techniques and processes which involve manipulation of matter at the molecular and atomic levels. Nanotechnology materials are often not predictable from t...

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