|
HOME
>
ENVIRONMENT
> REPORTS |
|
Can nanoscience help in the fight
against climate change?
(17/05/07)
|
A study by
the Department for Environment, Food And
Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which explored
some of the ways in which
nanotechnologies could cut the use of
non-renewable energy sources and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions are published
today.
This study investigated
the opportunities and potential obstacles to adoption of a number of
environmentally beneficial nanotechnologies. The resulting report
explores the application of nanoscience in the areas of insulation,
photovoltaics, electricity storage, engine efficiency and the hydrogen
economy.
Nanotechnology refers
to the application of materials at atomic, molecular and macromolecular
scale where properties differ from those found in the same material in
gross form. A human hair is 80,000 nanometres (nm) wide, a red blood
cell 7,000 nm wide, and a water molecule 0.3 nm wide.
Speaking at the Royal
Society Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser, Howard Dalton, said:
"It is hard to conceive of a greater challenge than that of combating
climate change. Today's report indicates the key areas where nanoscience
may help lessen its effects and contribute to achieving society's
ambitions for a sustainable future. However, the report draws particular
attention to the need for government, industry and scientific
communities to work together in answering some of the fundamental
questions regarding the behaviour and toxicity of nanomaterials".
Defra Minister Lord
Rooker said:
"The "Environmentally
Beneficial Nanotechnologies: Barriers and Opportunities" report gives a
useful account of the current state of innovation in this important
area. Government is considering the report's recommendations for further
research and action to foster progress and bring about the adoption of
some exciting new technologies."
Commissioned by Defra,
the study was carried out by leading sustainability consultants, Oakdene
Hollins. Key areas Nanotechnology could be applied are:
Fuel additives:
Nanoparticle additives have been shown to increase the fuel efficiency
of diesel engines by approximately 5% which could result in a saving of
2-3 million tonnes of CO2 in the UK. This could be implemented
immediately across the UK diesel powered fleet. However, this must be
tempered by concerns about the health impact of free nanoparticles in
diesel exhaust gases. Recommendations include: Comprehensive
toxicological testing and subsidised independent performance tests to
validate environmental benefit.
Solar cells: The
high prices of solar cells are inhibiting their installation into
distributed power generation, reducing energy generation from renewables.
Nanotechnology may deliver more benefits in significantly decreasing the
cost of production of solar cells. Conservatively, if a distributed
solar generation grid met 1% of our electricity demand, approximately
1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per annum could be saved. The major barrier to
this technology is the incorporation of the nanotechnology into the
solar cell, not the nanotechnology itself. The UK is one of the world
leaders in understanding the fundamental physics of solar cells, but we
lack the skills that allow us to transfer our science base into workable
prototypes. Recommendations include: Develop programs and facilities for
taking fundamental research through to early stage prototypes where
established mechanisms can be employed to commercialise new
technologies. Set up a centre of excellence in photovoltaics which
allows cross fertilisation of ideas from different scientific
disciplines.
The hydrogen
economy: Hydrogen powered vehicles could eliminate all noxious
emissions from road transport, which would improve public health. If the
hydrogen is generated via renewable means or using carbon capture and
storage, all CO2 emissions from transport could be eliminated (132
million tonnes). Using current methods of hydrogen generation,
significant savings in carbon dioxide (79 Mte) can be made. The
technology is estimated to be 40 years away from universal deployment.
The UK is becoming one of the front runners in this area. Although we do
not have a substantial automotive R&D base, the international nature of
these companies will allow ready integration of UK innovation into
transport. Recommendations include: The use of public procurement to
fund hydrogen powered buses in major cities to create a market and
infrastructure for hydrogen powered transport. Continue to fund large
demonstration projects and continue R&D support.
Batteries and
supercapacitors: Recent advances in battery technology have made the
range and power of electric vehicles more practical. Issues still
surround the charge time. Nanotechnology may provide a remedy to this
problem allowing electric vehicles to be recharged in less than ten
minutes, which is comparable to the refuelling time of current cars. If
low carbon electricity generation techniques are used, CO2 from private
transport could be eliminated (64 Mte) or, using the current energy mix,
savings of 42 Mte of carbon dioxide could be made. Without
nanotechnology, electric vehicles are likely to remain niche due to the
issues of charge time. Significant infrastructural investment will be
required to develop recharging stations throughout the UK.
Recommendations include: Fast track schemes for commercialisation and
cultivate links with automotive multinationals.
Insulation.
Cavity and loft insulation are cheap and effective, however, there are
no easy methods for insulating solid walled buildings, which currently
make up approximately one third of the UK's housing stock.
Nanotechnology may provide a solution which, if an effective insulation
could be found with similar properties to standard cavity insulation,
could result in emission reductions equivalent to 3 Mte per year. Ultra
thin films on windows to reduce heat loss already exist on the market.
Recommendations include: Fund a DTI technology program call on novel
insulation material for solid walled buildings and retrofit government
offices with highly insulating nanotechnology based windows.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/ENVIRONMENT/nanotech/index.htm |
