Nanotechnology And The Energy Crisis

As the global population increases exponentially, having passed six billion in 1999, the world population is expected to be 8.9 billion by the year 2050. The worlds energy consumption will increase by an estimated 54 percent by 2025. Energy demand in the industrialized world is projected to grow 1.2 percent per year. Energy is a critical component of sustained economic growth and improved standards of living. One of the major requirements for sustaining human progress is an adequate source of energy. As the world’s technological enhancements and standards of living improve, so too does their appetite for electricity.

Wood, S., & Jones, R. (2003). The social and economic challenges of nanotechnology. Swindon: Economic and Social Research Council.

Arjun Makhijani, a prominent researcher for The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, claims that today’s emission rate of carbon dioxide is about nine gigatons annually and that the Earth only has the capability to absorb 3 gigatons annually—thus a problem arises. Furthermore, Makhijani states that about 2/3rds of the carbon dioxide emissions are caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. With those shocking statistics in mind, fossil fuel’s emission of carbon dioxide is thought to be the leading cause of climate change—which is responsible for irreversible and catastrophic changes to the Earth. Yet, scientist had tremendous difficulty finding a safe, effective, and efficient form of energy supply that will met the great consumption rate. Many prominent scientist suggest that nuclear power is the most plausible explanation and solution to the fuel crisis. However, despite nuclear power having a exponentially lower emission rate, it presents its own hazards and threats—such as the Chernobyl and the Three Mile Island incidents. These accidents have many activists and politicians cautious about the prospect of using nuclear power as a complete alternative to fossil fuels—regardless nuclear plants are responsible for 11% of the energy supplied to the world annually (World Nuclear Association.) What many of the activist and politicians seem to overlook is that fossil fuels are an indefinite energy supply and will quite possible run out within

As Congress ponders how the country can avoid an energy crisis like the one that has affected California, many people believe that only science-fiction can offer a long-term solution--a solution in which discoveries in theoretical physics would lead to a new energy-producing technology. The fuel for this technology, as they imagine it, would be abundantly available, safe, inexpensive and clean.

Jones, Richard A.L. "Nanotechnology Will Not Contribute to a "Singularity"" Nanotechnology. Ed. Jacqueline Langwith. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. of "Rupturing the Nanotech Rapture."

On the same note, the energy revolution spoken of above brings forth another advance in the ongoing global climate situation. The nature of the Kyoto Protocol calls for nations to increase research and eventually semi-convert their energy usage to accommodate for cleaner energy. Products such as solar power, wind power, biomass, geothermal power, and hydropower are now widely being studying to create processes that use less coal, oil, and natural gas in production. Altogether the results have

In conclusion, using alternative energy technologies like solar power, we can have the luxurious to provide for everything from human needs to protecting the environment than why wait before it is too late. Fossil fuel not only harms the environment but also the current and future generations. Whereas, sources like solar power can save us from burning tons of coal, releasing harmful chemicals like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and prevent any kind of pollution. To sum up, large oil or energy source companies and communities must expand on the uses of renewable energy

The switch to clean energy in the United States and around the world is a difficult necessity that must be met within the subsequent five to six decades. The prolonged use of damaging fossil fuels and other unsustainable forms of energy are greatly damaging the planet. These sources of non-renewable energy are bound to run out in the following century. Millions of square kilometers of Arctic ice has melted so far, the sea level is rising, and the CO2 levels present in the atmosphere are drastically increasing (Chang). The transition to renewable energy must be met; however, this is not a process possible to achieve overnight. This change will require an extensive amount of resources and time but will reap many benefits to the users of this growing technology.

The article, Nanotechnology in the Military by Will Soutter, discusses the many ways in which the government is investing in nanotechnology research for military use. The article points out that nanotechnology is something that many countries are starting to spend large amounts of money to fund research on ways to use nanotechnology for military advancement. The main focus for military advancement through nanotechnology would be better medical care and better clothing for protection and to communicate. In the article the Ministry of Defense predicts that nano-bots could soon be used to help with medical care. In addition, communication devices could be nano-enhanced by 2030. Researchers are looking for ways to use nanotechnology to improve

Renewable energy has the power to solve climate change, nuclear proliferation, energy insecurity, and energy poverty.

Over the past several years, scientists have researched the impact fossil fuels currently have on our world today. These sources of energy have an irreversible and devastating consequence on our environment. Fossil fuels are disliked due to being non-renewable and unsustainable. As more technological advancements have occurred, more efforts have arisen related to replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy. Due to the integration of existing technology the public has become reluctant to adopt new energy technologies. Renewable energy brings many desirable health, environmental, and economic benefits. These renewable methods may ultimately provide a brighter future for generations to come.

Nanotechnology is the cross disciplinary in nature, drawing on medicine, chemistry, biology, physics, and material science (Nanotechnology for Electronics and Sensors Applications, 1). This is an entirely new substance with unique properties that become stronger, and conduct heat and electricity. Although this new technology is argued whether it is good or bad. Some say that when the nanoparticles are inhaled it can be harmful to lung tissue, or saying in the wrong hands can be used for terrorism. Even through these arguments the benefits of this new technology outweigh the bad substantially. Nanotechnology will change the future for the better.

With American population expected to increase by approximately fifty percent over the next fifty years, some sort of energy reform is needed (Lehrman 2). The most commonly proposed idea is for America to stop relying so heavily on fossil fuels, and to turn its focus onto renewable sources of energy, such as solar power and hydroelectricity (Energy Information Administration). If the United States could realize the benefits of renewable energy, then much of the world’s energy problems could be solved.

The International Energy Agency estimates that by the year 2003 forty percent of the world's energy production will be from sources other than fossil fuels or nuclear power. Nevertheless, the need for

Nanotechnology is the development of atoms in a certain object. Nanotechnology has become very popular in the past few years. It is a way to rebuild the systems of life. To make systems move faster than ever before. Nanometer is about 10 times the size of an atom. Each of these has a huge effect on a system. Still there are questions out there that keep people wondering how important nanotechnology is to us. Many wonder how will it affect them and if we should continue this research. I myself wondered about nanotechnology. After researching this topic I have learned new and interesting facts to help me understand the entire concept.