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The latest news and blog posts from the World Nano Foundation.
Five Nanotech Startups Defining 2023
Nanotechnology, manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale, has been making waves in numerous industries, from medicine to electronics. As we advance into 2023, several startups have emerged as the front-runners in this exciting domain. Here are the top five nanotechnology startups to keep an eye on this year:
Lithium Extraction Using Nanotechnology
Litus
Based in Canada, Litus employs nanotechnology in combination with advanced chemistry to focus on lithium extraction. Their extraction technology, Litus LiNC, is adept at selectively obtaining high-purity lithium from aqueous sources, even amidst other cations. The dual benefits of Litus are evident in the efficiency of their extraction method coupled with their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Manufacturing Enhancements with Nanocarbon
Nemo Nanomaterials
Originating from Israel, Nemo Nanomaterials is transforming the manufacturing industry with its range of nanocarbon-based additives. Their unique technology fine-tunes the processing and integration of nanomaterials, guaranteeing a uniform distribution of nanoparticles. This meticulous process amplifies material properties, including strength, weight, and electrical conductivity.
Medical Diagnostics Enhanced with Biomarkers
Poly-Dtech
Operating from France, Poly-Dtech stands out with its specialisation in crafting nano molecule biomarkers designed for pathology and medical imaging diagnosis. Their hallmark, the ultra-luminescent nano-marker known as Bright-Dtech, seamlessly fuses with biological molecules like antibodies and proteins. With an inherent resistance to photobleaching, these nanoparticles significantly bolster the efficiency of detection in diagnostic assays, a testament to which is their Sars-CoV-2 testing kit, a beacon for early disease detection.
Portable Diagnostic Device
Gisens Biotech
Originating from Argentina, Gisens Biotech is making strides with its invention, Nano-Lab. This portable diagnostic device, backed by a high-precision biosensor, swiftly communicates test results through an integrated smartphone application. The innovation is a testament to the startup's commitment to improving healthcare by streamlining medical assessments and facilitating faster diagnosis.
Cold-Resistant Energy Cell
INEM Technologies
INEM Technologies, based in Greece, has pioneered the HELT Cell, renowned for its exceptional energy density. Constructed using innovative nanomaterials, these lithium-ion batteries showcase resilience, maintaining functionality even in temperatures plummeting to -40 degrees Celsius. Their groundbreaking technology serves as a boon for various applications, from drones to industrial equipment, ensuring consistent power supply in challenging conditions.
Once a domain relegated to speculative science fiction, nanotechnology has rapidly become an instrumental force driving innovations in various industries. As we've seen through the highlighted startups, whether it's refining lithium extraction or transforming medical diagnostics, the adaptability and potential of nanotechnology are vast. As the year unfolds, these startups continue to exemplify how nanotechnology bridges rigorous research with substantial, real-world applications. This synergy promises not only advancements in material science and industry-specific applications but also a brighter and more sustainable future for all.
White Paper: Unleashing the Potential of Nanotechnology for Superior Energy Storage and Solar Conversion Solutions
Introduction:
In pursuing a sustainable future, the global challenge of improving energy storage and solar conversion has become increasingly urgent.
However, the emergent field of nanotechnology offers extraordinary possibilities in the area of sustainable energy, providing innovative solutions for improving green energy.
This white paper investigates the most recent breakthroughs in nanotechnology that pave the way for more effective and efficient energy storage and solar conversion.
Global challenge and nanoscale innovations:
The global challenge of transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources necessitates advanced technology, and nanotechnology offers a promising solution in this area.
A report by Nanotechnology Product Database said: “There is a growing tendency for using nanotechnology in the renewable energies industrial sector, in which most worldwide leader manufacturers are using nanotechnology in many of their products”
Working at the nanoscale level, scientists and engineers have significantly improved energy storage and solar conversion technologies' performance and efficiency.
Nanoscale innovations have improved energy storage, creating advanced batteries with higher energy density and faster charging. Nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes enhance battery stability and lifespan through nanoscale coatings, facilitating quicker ion diffusion.
Nanotechnology has also boosted solar cell efficiency by incorporating nanoscale structures like quantum dots and perovskite materials. This leads to improved light absorption, better charge separation, and minimised energy losses, enabling more efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Moreover, nanotechnology enables compact and efficient energy conversion and storage systems. Hybrid solar cells using nanomaterials generate electricity and store energy simultaneously, ensuring uninterrupted power supply even in low-light conditions. Nanoscale supercapacitors offer high power density and rapid energy discharge, ideal for energy storage applications.
Potential barriers to entry in Energy Storage and Conversion:
These include:
· Exorbitant expenditure for research and development: Delving into nanotechnology for energy storage and conversion necessitates substantial funding, posing a financial challenge for emerging companies or researchers in the sector.
· Lengthy development process: Creating new and innovative nanomaterials for energy purposes can be a drawn-out process, contributing to the hurdles faced by novices in the field.
· Regulatory barriers: Before new nanomaterials are given the green light for energy storage or solar conversion, they must surmount numerous regulatory obstacles, further complicating the market penetration pathway.
Market Size:
Despite the obstacles, the Energy Storage and Conversion market is experiencing swift growth. It is expected to grow to $17 billion by 2028, according to the report from Markets and Markets, which said:
“The ongoing revolution in renewable energy is contributing to this market growth.”
The increasing demand for renewable energy and the transition towards electric transportation create substantial market opportunities for advanced batteries and nanotechnology-enabled solar cells.
Success in Nanotechnology Energy Storage and Conversion:
Nanotech-based lithium-ion batteries: Sila Nanotechnologies, established in 2011 with over $900 million in funding, has made significant strides in the evolution of battery technology. This innovation integrates effortlessly into current battery production processes, resulting in batteries with superior energy density. This advancement addresses various needs, from wearable technology and portable devices to electric vehicles and practical renewable energy usage, strengthening performance and reliability in diverse applications.
Nanosolar is a company that specializes in the production of thin-film solar cells and panels. The firm provides solar energy solutions through a printing process, geared towards efficient power generation. By leveraging the CIGS platform, Nanosolar enhances conversion rates, thereby optimizing the performance of their printed solar energy offerings.
Black silicon: Natcore Technology is a company with a unique license from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, empowering it to produce and market black silicon products. This technology includes equipment, chemicals, and solar cells derived from nano-porous etched silicon, which appears black due to minimal light reflection. By boosting solar energy generation, Natcore's work can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and promote clean, renewable energy sources.
Investment and Start-ups in Nanotechnology for Energy Storage and Conversion:
There has been a significant influx of investment in the field of nanotechnology for energy storage and conversion.
Esteemed organisations such as the United States Department of Energy (DOE), and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) have been pioneering this movement with substantial expenditure on research and development of advanced nanotechnologies, which are aimed at enhancing the efficiency of energy systems and curbing costs.
A report from JST said: “For more than half a century as an advanced country, Japan has continuously been a leader in academic research, technological development, and industrial activity that have produced actual products in the field of nanotechnology and materials and Japan has accumulated scientific knowledge and technologies.”
In particular, the DOE has played a pivotal role in nurturing innovation in nanotechnology-enabled energy solutions, which are poised to revolutionise various facets of energy storage and conversion.
The convergence has given rise to both investments and startups harnessing the potential of nanomaterials and nanotechnology applications to revolutionise various Energy Storage and Conversion aspects.
Startups can operate at reduced costs compared to their larger counterparts. They excel at resource optimisation, creating affordable solutions, and fostering more widespread energy storage and conversion access.
Leading companies securing major space industry investment include:
· NextEra Energy: As one of the leading utility companies in the U.S., NextEra Energy, powers over 5 million Floridians while also holding global prominence as the largest generator of renewable energy from wind and solar and a world leader in battery storage.
· Toshiba: Toshiba’s energy storage solution employs their SCIB technology and a high-performance DC/AC converter, offering an efficient and durable system that optimises peak load management and system stability.
· Sonnen GmbH: This German company provides cost-effective renewable energy generation and battery storage solutions with a mission to empower its customers with grid-independent, clean energy.
· Fluence: Fluence is a global leader in energy technologies and services, providing three distinct pre-set systems tailored to suit a range of clients and their respective applications.
Key Academic Institutes Working in Nanotechnology Energy Storage and Conversion:
Universities and research institutions across the globe are engaged in the study and development of nanomaterials, focusing on creating novel materials for energy storage and conversion. Key contributors in this field include:
· Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): The MIT Energy Initiative is a multi-disciplinary initiative that addresses the global energy challenge, including nanotechnology research.
· Stanford University: Stanford's Nano Shared Facilities (SNF) conducts extensive research on nanotechnology, including energy storage and conversion projects.
· Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich): The Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich conducts extensive research in energy storage and conversion, including the application of nanotechnology.
· University of Cambridge: The Nanoscience Centre and the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy conduct relevant research.
· National University of Singapore (NUS): The NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative conducts extensive research on nanotechnology with various applications, including energy.
· Imperial College London: The London Centre for Nanotechnology researches nanotech energy.
· Nanyang Technological University, Singapore: The Energy Research Institute conducts work in nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion.
· Tsinghua University, China: The Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics and the School of Materials Science and Engineering work on nanotech energy projects.
· ETH Zurich, Switzerland: Their Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering has ongoing research in nanotech for energy applications.
Industry Insights and Academic Quotes:
"Utilizing the unique power of nanoscale innovation in energy storage and solar conversion is a critical leap forward for the future of sustainable energy. Its ability to augment efficiency and diminish costs is transformative and delivers commercial scalability. Indeed, it's not just an enhancement; it's the cornerstone of constructing a future of sustainable energy." - Paul Stannard, Chairman and Founder at World Nano Foundation.
“Nanostructured materials and nanoarchitectured electrodes can provide solutions for designing and realising high-energy, high-power, and long-lasting energy storage devices.” – Said a spokesperson for American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Conclusion:
Advancements in energy storage and conversion depend heavily on material science, and nanotechnology serves as a pivotal component in this progress, particularly in the realm of advanced batteries and solar cells.
Despite the existing hurdles, the advanced energy storage and conversion solutions market is on a growth trajectory. Investments and startups that revolve around nanotechnology for energy storage and conversion, in addition to prominent academic institutions like the United States Department of Energy (DOE), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and esteemed universities worldwide, understand the importance of crafting new materials for sustainable energy applications.
Nanomaterials possess the potential to greatly enhance ion transportation and electron conductivity, which could be the solution to advancing this field.
With continuous research and collaboration, nanotechnology will persist in driving innovation and serve as an essential tool for pioneers in the field of energy storage and conversion, empowering them to break new ground in sustainable energy solutions.
To access the full report in a PDF format, please click on the link below:-
WNF Storage & Conversion White Paper
Note to editors: Commercial Applications for Nanotech and Energy Storage and Conversion Whitepaper
This report on the commercial applications of nanotechnology in energy storage and conversion is based on an exhaustive survey of existing literature, technical documents, and research papers from esteemed sources in the fields of materials science and energy technology. The research methodology used to assemble this report encompassed the following stages:
1. Literature Review: An extensive literature review was carried out to accumulate relevant information on the latest developments in nanotechnology and their implications for energy storage and conversion. A broad array of scientific databases, scholarly journals, industry reports, and authoritative websites were examined to compile diverse sources.
2. Data Collection: The data collected included information on nanomaterials, their properties, and their potential applications in energy storage and conversion. Moreover, data regarding the challenges and opportunities associated with nanotechnology's implementation in the energy sector were also assembled. The emphasis was on the most recent advancements and trends in the field.
3. Data Analysis: The gathered data was meticulously analysed to discern key themes, trends, and insights. This analysis involved synthesising information from various sources, identifying patterns, and drawing impactful conclusions. We placed a spotlight on how these breakthroughs at the nanoscale could facilitate more efficient energy storage and conversion mechanisms.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Global Challenge and Nanoscale Innovations
2.1 Advanced Batteries
2.2 Solar Cells
2.3 Hybrid Systems and Supercapacitors
3. Potential Barriers to Entry in Energy Storage and Conversion
3.1 Financial Constraints
3.2 Lengthy Development Process
3.3 Regulatory Barriers
4. Market Size and Growth of Energy Storage and Conversion
5. Success in Nanotechnology Energy Storage and Conversion
5.1 Case Study: Sila Nanotechnologies
6. Investment and Start-ups in Nanotechnology for Energy Storage and Conversion
6.1 Role of Government and International Agencies
6.2 Start-ups and Their Influence
6.3 Major Industry Players
7. Key Academic Institutes Working in Nanotechnology Energy Storage and Conversion
8. Industry Insights and Academic Quotes
9. Conclusion
Glossary of words:
1. Nanotechnology: A branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules.
2. Energy Storage: The capture of energy produced at one time for use at a later time.
3. Solar Conversion: The process of converting the energy of the sun into electricity or other forms of energy that can be used for practical applications.
4. Carbon Nanotubes: Cylindrical large molecules consisting of a hexagonal arrangement of hybridized carbon atoms forming a tube.
5. Quantum Dots: Nanoscale semiconductor particles that have optical and electronic properties that differ from larger particles due to quantum mechanics.
6. Perovskite Materials: A type of mineral consisting of calcium titanium oxide, or related compounds of different elements, having a specific crystalline structure.
7. Supercapacitors: High-capacity capacitors that bridge the gap between electrolytic capacitors and rechargeable batteries.
8. Hybrid Solar Cells: Solar cells that combine both organic and inorganic materials to maximize efficiency and durability.
Subjects:
9. Sustainable Energy: Energy that is produced and used in ways that support long-term human development in a social, economic, and ecologically sustainable manner.
10. Energy Density: A measure of energy storage capacity per unit volume or mass.
11. Ion Diffusion: The movement of ions from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
12. Energy Efficiency: Using less energy to provide the same service.
13. Energy Systems: Systems used for the production, transmission, and consumption of energy.
14. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
15. Energy Density: The amount of energy stored in a system or region of space per unit volume.
16. Charging Speed: The rate at which energy storage devices such as batteries can be charged.
17. Efficiency of Solar Cells: The percentage of solar energy that can be converted into usable electricity.
18. Market Size: The total potential for sales in a particular market.
19. Investment Amount: The total amount of money invested in research and development in the field of energy storage and conversion.
20. Number of Start-ups: The total number of new companies established in the field of energy storage and conversion.
21. Regulatory Approvals: The number of approvals granted by regulatory bodies for the use of new materials in energy storage or solar conversion.
22. Adoption Rate of Nanotech Solutions: The speed at which new nanotechnology-based solutions are being accepted and used by consumers or industries.
23. Power Density of Supercapacitors: The amount of power that can be delivered per unit volume of the supercapacitor.
24. Stability of Advanced Batteries: The ability of advanced batteries to maintain their performance over time.
To access additional information on White Papers from the World Nano Foundation, please explore the following resources:
Whitepaper: Nanotechnology's Impact on Sustainable Agriculture through Key Commercial Applications
Nanoparticles increase light scattering, boost solar cell performance
As demand for solar energy rises around the world, scientists are working to improve the performance of solar devices—important if the technology is to compete with traditional fuels. But researchers face theoretical limits on how efficient they can make solar cells.
One method for pushing efficiency beyond those limits involves adding up-conversion nanoparticles to the materials used in the solar devices. Up-conversion materials allow solar cells to harvest energy from a wider spectrum of light than normally possible. A team of scientists testing this approach found the nanoparticles boosted efficiency, but not for the reason they expected. Their research may suggest a new path forward for developing more efficient solar devices.
"Some researchers in the literature have hypothesized and showed results that up-conversion nanoparticles provide a boost in performance," said Shashank Priya, associate vice president for research and professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State. "But this research shows that it doesn't matter if you put in up-conversion nanoparticles or any other nanoparticles—they will show the boosted efficiency because of the enhance light scattering."
Adding nanoparticles is like adding millions of small mirrors inside a solar cell, the scientists said. Light traveling through the device hits the nanoparticles and scatters, potentially hitting other nanoparticles and reflecting many times within the device and providing a noticeable photocurrent enhancement.
The scientists said this light scattering process and not up-conversion led to boosted efficiency in solar devices they created.
"It doesn't matter what nanoparticles you put in, as long as they are nanosized with specific scattering properties it always leads to an increase in efficiency by a few percentage points," Kai Wang said, assistant research professor in Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and co-author of the study. "I think our research provides a nice explanation on why this type of composite light absorbing structure is interesting for the solar community."
Up-conversion nanoparticles work by absorbing infrared light and emitting visible light that solar cell can absorb and convert into additional power. Almost half of the energy from the sun reaches the Earth as infrared light, but most solar cells are unable to harvest it. Scientists have proposed that tapping into this could push solar cell efficiency past its theoretical ceiling, the Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit, which is around 30% for single-junction solar cells powered by sunlight.
Previous studies have shown a 1% to 2% boost in efficiency using up-conversion nanoparticles. But the team found these materials provided only a very small boost in perovskite solar devices they created, the scientists said.
"We were focused initially on up-converting infrared light to the visible spectrum for absorption and energy conversion by perovskite, but the data from our Penn State colleagues indicated this was not a significant process," said Jim Piper, co-author and emeritus professor at Macquarie University, Australia. "Subsequently we provided undoped nanocrystals that do not give optical up-conversion and they were just as effective in enhancing the energy conversion efficiency."
The team performed theoretical calculations and found the boost in efficiency instead resulted from the nanoparticles' ability to improve light scattering.
"We started to basically play around with nanoparticle distribution in the model, and we started to see that as you distribute the particles far away from each other, you start to see some enhanced scattering," said Thomas Brown, associate professor at the University of Rome. "Then we had this breakthrough."
Adding the nanoparticles boosted the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by 1% in the study, the scientists reported in the journal ACS Energy Letters. The scientists said changing the shape, size and distribution of nanoparticles within these devices could yield higher efficiencies.
"So some optimum shape, distribution or size can actually lead to even more photocurrent enchantment," Priya said. "That could be the future research direction based on ideas from this research."