Application of Nanotechnology in Environment and Energy

2 March 2007

Nanotechnology can play a vital role in production of energy. The solar cell presently being manufactured by conventional techniques are costly and nanomaterial based solar cells could be produced economically. Thus by cutting production and material cost the solar power can be made economically available to the large masses and at the same time the energy production will be economically clean than the existing energy producing methods.

Nanotechnology cannot be used only for monitoring environmental pollutants but it can also remediate various environmental problems. Nanotechnology can help in developing new environmental safe and green technologies that can minimize the formation of undesirable byproducts or effluents. The technology is already being examined in several chemical and allied industries for the possible outcome of large reduction in pollutants and energy saving.

Several chemical manufacturing and allied industries are in the process to develop nanoparticles that can replace the metallic components especially in auto industries. As per an estimate, use of these nanocomposites could reduce 1.5 billion liter of fuel consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emission by more than 5 billion kilograms annually.

Nanoparticles of inorganic clays and polymers will replace carbon black tires and therefore we will have environmental friendly, wear resistant tires. Catalysis is one of the largest area where nanoparticles can be used for reducing pollutants, considerable end products and it is expected that the nanoparticles worth $ 30 billion will be used by the industry annually.

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