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Presented by: |
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 12 - 1pm
Niskayuna
Reformed Church |
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Slides from the presentation now available: Adobe PDF
ABSTRACT:
As worldwide demand for energy surges at an ever-increasing rate, there is a new urgency to improve the efficiency and sustainability of power generation technologies. One of the keys to addressing this challenge is innovation, and some of the most promising solutions are occurring at the smallest scale - the nanoscale.
Engineers can create new building blocks that produce materials with the exact properties they desire, which are generally smaller, stronger and lighter than current technologies. The field of alternative energy provides a platform for some of nanotechnology's most exciting contributions. These include silicon and thin film based Solar Cells that already utilize nanoscale processes, materials and devices utilized in semiconductor manufacturing. Moreover, discoveries in nanotechnology have led to what many consider the next generation of solar technology: ultra-thin amorphous silicon, organic and inorganic solar cells derived from nanocrystals that convert sunlight into electricity at a fraction of the cost of silicon-based solar cells.
Fuel Cells also benefit from nanotechnology. Nanoengineered electrodes in the form of cathodes and anodes are currently being manufactured and incorporated in solid oxide and polymer electrode-based fuel cells that provide higher efficiency and performance. Nanotechnology applied to fuel cells enables more efficient and reduced use of precious metals - such as using platinum nanoparticles for high surface area and low volume - along with improved membrane function and durability.
Demonstrations and deployment of nanotechnology in Green Buildings
and Energy Efficiency related innovations enable evaluation and
validation of zero energy concepts in large facilities including smart
lighting, capacitors and power electronics. Clean energy generation and
efficiency is critical to our future. Through nanotechnology innovation,
we can improve the efficiencies of the technologies we have and discover
new ways to achieve sustainable development.
The Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC) at the College of Nanoscale Science &Engineering (CNSE) works with companies in the rapidly emerging energy and environmental industries and is focused on commercialization of these technologies in partnership with industry.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Pradeep Haldar is the Head of College of Nanoscale Science
&Engineering (CNSE)'s Nanoengineering Constellation and Director of
Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC).
DIRECTIONS:
The church is located just west of the intersection of Rosendale/Vly Rd
and Rt. 7, on the corner of Niskayuna Rd and Rt. 7. There is plenty of
parking, accessible from either Rt. 7 or Niskayuna Rd. The meeting will
be in the large white meeting hall next to the church. Enter through the
large glass doors at the lower level. Please note that there is no
smoking allowed anywhere on the church grounds.
Map
to Niskayuna Reformed Church
NOTE: Valley Road = Vly Road
LUNCH:
Lunch is provided.
RESERVATIONS:
Please contact Lou Tomaino at schdyieee
(at) yahoo.com by Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 9:00 AM to reserve. This
event is free for IEEE members, $5.00 for non-members to help cover the
cost of the room.
Please be courteous and cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so that we have a chance to adjust the food order and seating.
Sponsored by the Schenectady Section of the IEEE.
(halstead@ieee.org)
