The Future of Solar Energy is TINY Technology!

Technology is getting smaller and smaller -- but NOTHING compares to nanotechnology. As we learn more about how materials behave on the nanoscale, we have more potential applications to use nanotechnology practically -- including more efficient solar energy! Jonathan Strickland explains how nanotech could even make our solar panels more efficient, flexible, and affordable.

What does "nanotechnology" mean to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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[TRANSCRIPT]:
The future is huge for tiny technology.

Miniaturization is, perhaps ironically, a huge deal. I mean, without it we wouldn't have had the personal computer revolution and we wouldn't have this world we live in now where we have smartphones and tablets and other devices just as powerful as a computer, that can fit in the palm of your hand. But even these gadgets are gargantuan compared to nanotechnology.

See, a nanometer is just one billionth of a meter, and that's kind of hard to imagine, so let me put it to you this way. Your typical sheet of paper is about one hundred thousand nanometers thick. And at this scale, individual elements are so small you can't even see them with a light microscope. Now as we learn more about how materials behave on the nanoscale, we have more potential applications to use that knowledge practically.

I'm talking about how nanotech could help solar panel technology.

And fortunately, at a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, they had a panel on just this very subject. Now, if you know anything about solar panels you know they have some drawbacks. For example, efficiency - they max out at around twenty percent in the field under ideal conditions. They're also rigid, so you can't just put them anywhere you like. And they tend to be expensive because manufacturing them is complicated. But scientists hope that nanotechnology can help address all three of these challenges.

Now with efficiency they're looking to nature - specifically, moth eyes. You see, moths have these little tiny structures in their eyes that help reflect light back into the eye and it does two things - it lets them see better in the dark, and it cuts down on reflection so predators can't spot them as easily. With solar panels it could actually make them more efficient by reflecting more of the sun's light into the panel so you lose less in reflection.

And when we're talking about flexibility, well nanomaterials are really, really small, and there is the potential to create solar panels that are just a few sheets of molecules thick. They could be as flexible as a sheet of paper, and with that kind of flexibility you could put those pretty much anywhere you wanted to.

And as for price, well, that's the big one. And in the short term I don't think it's going to turn around. But scientists are cautiously optimistic that nanotechnology will let us use new processes, like printing solar panels directly onto a substrate using just a specialized printer. That would actually be less complicated and expensive than traditional manufacturing methods.

Now at that meeting of the AAAS, a Dr. Wolfgang Porod gave a talk about Nanoantenna Thermocouples for Energy Harvesting. Which I admit sounds like techno-babble straight out of a Star Trek episode. But it's actually fairly simple once you break it down. A nanoantenna is just an antenna on the nanoscale. These resonate with long-wave infrared radiation. And a thermocouple? Well that's a component of circuitry that generates a voltage when one part of the thermocouple is a different temperature than other part. So you pair these two together and the antenna generates heat and the thermocouple generates voltage. It could actually help increase the efficiency of solar panels.

Now like I said, nanotechnology is a young science and it has lots of different applications across many disciplines. And I'm really excited how such a small technology could have such a huge impact.

[bobbyd]

I think this will be great. We can start wrapping trees in flexible solar panels so that we can take advantage of the tree's natural tendency to bend toward the sun for maximum exposure. My big question is, when are we in terms of efficiency of harvesting sunlight compared to trees and other plants? Are we anywhere close, or is mother nature laughing at our pathetic attempts to harvest energy from the sun?

[johnhagala]

I actually invented (in my mind) a character in my story that was completely composed of millions of linked, intelligent, nano bots, or nanites. Since 'it' was composed of all these tiny structures, it could change shape at will, to either perform a task, or even hide from an enemy. Now when I say intelligent, i mean it could also enter a stealth mode, and also change size at will by simply using the atomic particles in the environment around it to 'grow'. The nanites had the ability to safely break apart atoms and molecules, using their parts to create any form of substance (i.e. Liquids, solids, and even gases). The programming was also so precise that it was, in a sense, human, in the way that it could learn, decipher language, and communicate with humans. This video actually helps prove that stuff like that could exist in the near future!

[realnathandavenport]

Awesome video! I just commented on another one of your videos early today asking if you would do a video on groundbreaking nanotechnology, and boom! To answer your question I can see a wide variety of uses made possible through nano tubes. I envision a future where we are able to inject carbon nano tubes or structures that are attracted to bone ends and could mend a broken bone on the spot in minutes if it was set properly. Another use could be the end of wires in a car or plane. The entire skin of the vehicle could store energy and information while providing protection.

[NLH]

when I hear nano I think of smaller than I can see, like a coating that fills in the holes on a sheet of glass making it smooth, what we see as normal glass is actually a sheet with dents..I am so excited about solar panels, especially living in Los Angeles, Cali  the electric bills are ridiculous and i will be able to afford to save with solar.. I took a class in photovoltaic class and Im glad at this point that I wasn't able to afford panels to date because it looks like technology is going to be better and more affordable shortly. I enjoyed your channel and presentation

[saladinwise]

I am doing a research ( publishing a research paper) on Nano Antennas used as Solar cell for Power Generation, this video explained very basics but yes it helped me allot.

[alvinmoore]

Awesome video....very exciting new information....quick question where did you get your desktop background from...looks really neat???? ^_^

[johnhagala]

Plus, we could use nanites to cure cancer, and probably just about any disease. Just think of this:
You walk into the pharmacy for your flu shot. Intead of being a 'dead' virus being injected via the needle, a swarm of nanites takes refuge in your bloodstream, helping with basic repairs up to a broken bone. They could also increase human strength, and help prevent muscle atrophy as well. I'm like in love with nanites haha xD

[jsebastianmcm]

I really enjoy your videos. Great work!!

[NicholasSalay]

When I think nanotechnology, I think about the molecular assemblers as seen in star trek, that are able to take any material - like trash or dirt - and transform it into literally any other material, like specialized machinery, fuel, or even food.

[jiezhang]

now is mid 2017, and the technology you mentioned is still not been applied on Solar Panel.

[Charles-igfr]

Increasingly, when I think nanotechnology, I think "efficient use of resources". Super efficient solar panels, super tough structures, medicinal delivery systems that precisely target problem areas. And all made with the least raw source material required to get the job done, yet defying expectations as to performance.

[unknowuserify]

Nanotechnology= the future, my brother wont stop talking about it and it had such an impact on him that he wants to be a nanotechnology engineer, or something like that. It had such an impact on him and hes always telling me thats technology and nanotechnology is advancing so rapidly.

[MessiHair]

Nano tech hm. I think of health tractors, a new form of military weaponry, and suits. Think of a nano suit (Idea from Crysis sorry) but live nanites that can reflect light to make you transparent or invisible in terms of a person with the suit. Also think about surviving long falls. Make each nanite have some type of shock resistance to make huge falls feel like a leap. Think of it reacting to the temperature and conditions on the outside obviously if its cold outside it'll keep you warm inside but try artic water temperature. Put on the suit (fully sealable) and take a swim in the coldest of oceans. Come up and your still at 98.6°F and lastly if we are talking about military use think of it as a full juggernaut suit only lighter and resilient. A bullet is about to hit you the suits nanites harder and create numerous layers of resistance. Now obviously it wont stop the impact from pushing you back but you'll get back up and keep firing.

[freethinker]

I like this video great job I think that nanotechnology is an emerging discipline with interest from ppl of all walks of life who continues o carry their torch!

[electricsaversavesit]

Wow! now I really look forward to see what new technology that can help cutting electricity easy and in affordable way..

[gregorymassara]

Small technological materials that have the potential to be useful in many ways and in different fields (medical, architectural, etc.)

[zeph]

Productive, clean technology vs. destructive, polluting technology. Mr Gorilla, considering the state of the environment and the future of your children, which do you choose?

[dave]

nanotechnology is quite amazing, it can create bendable multicolored gold, self cleaning glass, straws that purify water, magnetic liquids, and much more, quite amazing.

nantennas are supposed to use heat to make power

[AskTheAbsurdians]

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