Think small to grow big

As energy demands increase and our ability to supply using traditional methods declines, we must not underestimate nanotechnology's role in the production, storage, conservation and delivery of energy.

There are two ways to address a gap between energy supply and demand: the development of inexpensive and earth-friendly alternative fuel sources and using existing fuels more efficiently. Nanotechnology has a fundamental role to play in both.

At the nanoscale, familiar materials begin to develop unusual properties because this is the level where essential properties of matter are determined. Applying these properties can help find new ways to manage energy supplies.

For instance, the

(PNNL) in the

is using nanotech to develop materials that can store solid hydrogen. Hydrogen is abundant in our atmosphere and has more energy per unit of mass than any known substance but there are technical barriers to realising the hydrogen economy - the greatest being storage.