Nanotechnology and the Future of Energy Programs

Department of Electrical & Computer Systems Engineering

Monash University August 10, 2005

Dr Peter BinksCEO Nanotechnology Victoria

3

Topics

Nanotechnologies: a Business Perspective

Nanotechnologies and Energy

Australian Nanotechnology

Conclusion

4

Nanotechnologies and the Economy

Nanotechnologies (“engineering at the molecular level”) are long and expensive developments, and have impact on many sectors over 20-30 years

Nanotechnologies aren’t stand-alone industries. They provides new competitive dimensions to existing industries and companies, particularly those approaching maturity

Nanotechnologies have a critical role in the future Australian economy

5

Nanotechnology: Value PropositionWhat does nanotechnology have to offer that existing technologies do not?

Nanoscale particles have fundamentally different optical and reactive properties, that larger particles do notRecently identified nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes havefundamentally different mechanical and electrical properties

Diameter 1-20 nanometre; length up to 50 microns.

Density: 2 times lighter than aluminium

Tensile strength: 100 times that of steel.

Electrical conductivity: superior to copper;

Thermal conductivity: superior to diamond.

Biocompatible

Nanoscale particles provide a different proposition in biological systems than larger particles. Further, nanotechnology allows:

morphological control

dimensional control

interfacial control

6

The Nanotechnology MarketsAccelerating expenditure… …but unclear market size

Source: The Economist, Jan 2005

7

Nanotechnology EvolutionMaterials Sciences and

Nanobiotechnologiesare the areas of opportunity for

Australia

Defense & Security

Materials sciences: particles & composites

MaturingConsumer electronics

Moores’ Law Miniaturization of

microelectronics

Pharmaeconomics

Personalisedmedicine

Nanobiotechnology

Nanoscale integration of Computing and biologicalfunctions

? ?

8

Leading Nanotechnology NationsIndustrial leaders:• USA• Japan• South Korea• EU Bloc: Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium

Large industrializing nations:• China• India• Brazil• Russia (?)

Smaller industrial nations:• Taiwan• Israel• Italy• Switzerland• Singapore• United Kingdom (esp Ireland)• Canada• Australia• Scandinavian countries (?)

9

US Perspective: The Energy ChallengeActivities led by key agencies:

Energetic materials for propulsion, explosives (DOD)

Catalysis, fuel cells, hydrogen (DOE)

Advanced power systems (IA)

Energy conversion and storage for space (NASA)

Materials science and engineering (NSF)

Manufacturing processes and equipment (NIST)

Biomass conversion, hydrogen production, distributed power (USDA)

Grand Challenges:

1. Nanostructured Materials by Design2. Manufacturing at the Nanoscale3. Explosive Detection and Protection4. Nanoscale Instrumentation and

Metrology5. Nano-Electronics, Photonics, and

Magnetics6. Healthcare, Therapeutics and

Diagnostics7. EFFICIENT ENERGY CONVERSION

AND STORAGE8. Microcraft and Robotics9. Nanoscale Processes for

Environmental Improvement

Research to accelerate transition of scientific discovery into innovative industrial technologies

10

US Nanotechnology Companies…next-generation technology will finally make solar power competitive. The new photovoltaics use tiny solar cells embedded in thin sheets of plastic to create an energy-producing material that is cheap, efficient, and versatile. … Massachusetts-based Konarka expects to deliver its first commercial solar cells, designed for use with consumer electronics like laptops, by year's end…

Konarka

Nanostellar develops highly efficient Platinum Nano-Composite Catalysts for:

- Automobile Emission Control

- Fuel Cells

- Chemical Industry applications

11

Australian nanotechnologiesAustralian nanotechnologies build on strengths in innovation and production in:

biotechnologyminerals, energy, and renewablesagribusinessmedicineautomotive

New materials and particles

Medical/pharmadevices & processes

Environ & Agriproducts

Energy products

Research Base• 70 research institutions• A$100m annual investment• CRCs

Commercial Activity• Over 30 new companies• Multinational partners

Infrastructure• Facilities• Education• Personnel

Nanotechnology Australia: Capabilities & Commercial Potential (Invest Australia, 2004-05)

12

Australian nanotechnology industries

…leading in nanomedicine

13

Key Companies -Australia

Sustainable Technologies International (STI, based in Queanbeyan ACT) - first commercial installation of dye-sensitised solar panels. High efficiency via nano-sized powders used in the electrodes of the panel. Powders are lightly sintered to form a nano-network which is used as the charge collector

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL, based in Melbourne) - a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) development company. Nanotechnology is being explored in SOFCs for application in the anode, cathode and electrolyte materials. This allows increased manufacturing control and higher surface areas that would enable higher power production

14

Australian OpportunitiesThere are opportunities to capture the benefits of nanotechnology in Australian energy:

Reduced reliance on fossil fuels: increased use of renewables, in particular solar energy, hydrogen

Integration with specialist manufacturing industries, in particular medical, automotive

Growth of companies to manufacture components, catalysts, cells, based on new technologies

Development of solutions tailored to Australia, e.g. distributed energy storage and production

15

Example: Nanoscience in Melbourne

La Trobe University

University of Melbourne

Swinburne University

CSIROMonash University

RMIT University

Melbourne has the potential for a nanoscience precinct:

Critical mass of multidisciplinary research

Optimal investment in assets and infrastructure

Industrial focus

MiniFABDeakin University

16

Commercialisation – NanoVicSince 2003, Nanotechnology Victoria is a State-funded vehicle for commercialising nanotechnologies in Victoria

Investments in Enabling Infrastructure:• NanoArrays• NanoDiagnostics• Microscopy

$1m NanoVic investment

supported $10m facility at Monash

Industrial Nanotechnology Development:• 22 companies in client base• Earning commercial revenue• Novel “demonstrator” model• Clear industry strategy

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Apr

May Ju

nJu

lA

ugSe

pt Oct

Nov Dec Jan

Feb

Mar

Visits/day to www.nanovic.com.au

Leading Nanomanufacturingcapability:• Carbon nanotubes• Quantum dots• Clayton cluster• Integration – MiniFAB, CSIRO

17

ConclusionNanotechnology may be an important component of the future of energy. Further:

Nanotechnology provides new opportunities within most industries

Nanotechnology is seen as critical to the energy challenge of the US economy

Australia has an opportunity to develop nanotechnology-based energy products for domestic and international use