 |
|
Scientists grow 'nanonets' able to snare added energy transfer
September 03, 2008Using two abundant and relatively inexpensive elements, Boston College chemists have produced nanonets, a flexible webbing of nano-scale wires that multiplies surface area critical to improving the performance of the wires in electronics and energy applications.
Researchers grew wires from titanium and silicon into a two-dimensional network of branches that resemble flat, rectangular netting, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Professor Dunwei Wang and his team report in the international edition of the German Chemical Society journal Angewandte Chemie.
By creating nanonets, the team conquered a longstanding engineering challenge in nanotechnology: creating a material that is extremely thin yet maintains its complexity, a structural design large or long enough to efficiently transfer an electrical charge.
"We wanted to create a nano structure unlike any other with a relatively large surface area," said Wang. "The goal was to increase surface area and maintain the structural integrity of the material without sacrificing surface area and thereby improving performance."
Tests showed an improved performance in the material's ability to conduct electricity through high quality connections of the nanonet, which suggest the material could lend itself to applications from electronics to energy-harvesting, Wang said. Titanium disilicide (TiSi2) has been proven to absorb light across a wide range of the solar spectrum, is easily obtained, and is inexpensive. Metal silicides are also found in microelectronics devices.
The nanonets grew spontaneously from the bottom-up through simple chemical reactions, unprovoked by a catalyst, according to Wang and co-authors, post doctoral researcher Xiaohua Liu and graduate students Sa Zhou and Yongjing Lin.
Basic nano structures are commonly created in zero or one dimension, such as a dot composed of a small number of atoms. The most complex structures grow in three dimensions - somewhat resembling the branches of a tree. Working in 2D, Wang's team produced a web that under a microscope resembles a tree with all branches growing in the same perpendicular direction from the trunk.
Using titanium disilicide intrigued Wang because of the material's superior conductivity. Late last year, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Bioinorganic Chemistry observed that a titanium disilicide semiconductor photo catalyst splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The semiconductor also stores the gases produced, enabling the simple separation of hydrogen and oxygen. So-called water splitting may play a key role in producing hydrogen for fuel.
"We're excited to have discovered this unique structure and we are already at work to gauge just how much the nanonet can improve the performance of a material that is already used in electronics and clean energy applications," said Wang.
Boston College
"We wanted to create a nano structure unlike any other with a relatively large surface area," said Wang. "The goal was to increase surface area and maintain the structural integrity of the material without sacrificing surface area and thereby improving performance."
Tests showed an improved performance in the material's ability to conduct electricity through high quality connections of the nanonet, which suggest the material could lend itself to applications from electronics to energy-harvesting, Wang said. Titanium disilicide (TiSi2) has been proven to absorb light across a wide range of the solar spectrum, is easily obtained, and is inexpensive. Metal silicides are also found in microelectronics devices.
The nanonets grew spontaneously from the bottom-up through simple chemical reactions, unprovoked by a catalyst, according to Wang and co-authors, post doctoral researcher Xiaohua Liu and graduate students Sa Zhou and Yongjing Lin.
Basic nano structures are commonly created in zero or one dimension, such as a dot composed of a small number of atoms. The most complex structures grow in three dimensions - somewhat resembling the branches of a tree. Working in 2D, Wang's team produced a web that under a microscope resembles a tree with all branches growing in the same perpendicular direction from the trunk.
Using titanium disilicide intrigued Wang because of the material's superior conductivity. Late last year, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Bioinorganic Chemistry observed that a titanium disilicide semiconductor photo catalyst splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The semiconductor also stores the gases produced, enabling the simple separation of hydrogen and oxygen. So-called water splitting may play a key role in producing hydrogen for fuel.
"We're excited to have discovered this unique structure and we are already at work to gauge just how much the nanonet can improve the performance of a material that is already used in electronics and clean energy applications," said Wang.
Boston College
Science News and Science Current Events Tag Cloud
This tag cloud is a visual representation of term frequencies of random science news topics with common terms grouped together and emphasized by their display size.
Curcumin Ozone Hole Telomeres Pollution Fatty Acids Antioxidant Origin Of Life Big Bang Hiv Testing Lithium-ion Batteries Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Arctic Ice Genetic Variation Defibrillator Nuclear Power Cervical Cancer Stroke Wine Cancer Drugs Dietary Supplements Mussels Smallpox Nevirapine Aerosols Radiation Therapy
See More: Science News Tags
Energy Transfer Current Events and Energy Transfer News RSSResearchers observe single protein dimers wavering between two symmetrically opposed structures
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute, the University of California, San Diego, and Ohio State University have used a very sensitive fluorescence technique to find that a bacterial protein thought to exist in one "natural" three-dimensional structure (shape), can actually twist itself into a second form, depending on the protein's chemical environment.
Scientists create first comprehensive computer model of sunspots
In a breakthrough that will help scientists unlock mysteries of the sun and its impacts on Earth, scientists have created the first-ever comprehensive computer model of sunspots.
Orientation of antenna protein in photosynthetic bacteria described
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have figured out the orientation of a protein in the antenna complex to its neighboring membrane in a photosynthetic bacterium, a key find in the process of energy transfer in photosynthesis.
Scripps research scientists 'watch' as individual alpha-synuclein proteins change shape
In an Early Edition publication of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week, the researchers demonstrate the "alpha-synuclein dance" - the switching back and forth of the protein between a bent helix and an extended helix as the surface that it is binding to changes.
Walking forum report shows need to expand physical activity in schools
With childhood obesity expanding to epidemic proportions in the United States, educators, researchers and health practitioners are actively seeking to identify effective means of addressing this public-health crisis.
Looking beyond the drug receptor for clues to drug effectiveness
Antipsychotic drugs that are widely used to treat schizophrenia and other problems may not work as scientists have assumed, according to findings from Duke University Medical Center researchers that could lead to changes in how these drugs are developed and prescribed.
Researchers catch ion channels in their opening act
Each thought or action sends a million electrical signals pulsing through your body. At the heart of the process of generating these electrical impulses is the ion channel.
Radicals Shake Up Molecules in a Tug o' War
Until now, it was commonly thought that colliding molecules get the shakes as the result of energy transfer solely from the smashing of the molecules, but some new research adds a second means by which colliding molecules become vibrationally excited--it is being called the "Tug o' War Mechanism."
Berkeley Researchers Identify Photosynthetic Dimmer Switch
In a study of the molecular mechanisms by which plants protect themselves from oxidation damage should they absorb too much sunlight during photosynthesis, a team of researchers has discovered a molecular "dimmer switch" that helps control the flow of solar energy moving through the system of light harvesting proteins.
Magnet Lab researchers make observing cell functions easier
Now that the genome (DNA) of humans and many other organisms have been sequenced, biologists are turning their attention to discovering how the many thousands of structural and control genes -- the "worker bees" of living cells that can turn genes on and off -- function.
More Energy Transfer Current Events and Energy Transfer News Articles
 |
Charge and Energy Transfer Dynamics in Molecular Systems by Volkhard May (Author), Oliver Kühn (Author) This second edition is based on the successful concept of the first edition in presenting a unified perspective on molecular charge and energy transfer processes. The authors bridge the regimes of coherent and dissipative dynamics, thus establishing the connection between classic rate theories and modern treatments of ultrafast phenomena. The book serves as an introduction for graduate students and researchers. Expanding the volume by nearly 50 pages all chapters have been enlarged as well as updated to account for recent developments. Among the new topics are - semiclassical, quantum-classical hybrid, and path integral formulations of molecular dynamics - the basics of femtosecond nonlinear spectroscopy, electron transfer reactions in proteins, molecular... |
 |
272677 Desiccant Energy Transfer Wheel by Honeywell 272677 Desiccant Energy Transfer Wheel |
 |
Strengthening the Grid: Effect of High Temperature Superconducting Power Technologies on Reliability, Power Transfer Capacity and Energy Use. by RAND Corporation The slow growth of power transmission systems relative to the large growth in demand for power has played a major role in higher electricity prices and reduced reliability in a number of areas across the United States in recent years. This book evaluates the potential of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) power technologies to address existing problems with the U.S. electric power transmission grid, especially problems with transmission constraints. Among other findings, the authors conclude that HTS underground cables provide an attractive retrofit option for urban areas that have existing underground transmission circuits while avoiding the expense of new excavation to increase capacity. When operated at high utilization, HTS cables provide energy savings benefits as compared with... |
|
Energy in Action: The Transfer of Energy | |
 |
Energy - 8x8 Iron On Heat Transfer For White Material by 3dRose LLC Energy Iron on Heat Transfer is printed on a 8 by 8 inch commercial quality high resolution heat transfer paper, available for white and light material applications only. Heat transfer is shipped with the home use instructions for use with a home iron. |
 |
Hand Bubbler by Toysmith This Hand Bubbler magically demonstrates energy transfer in a cool, fun way! Hold it at the bottom and watch the liquid bubble to the top. Hold the bottom chamber in your hand and watch as your body heat warms the liquid. As it starts to vaporize, it expands moving it's way through the tubes to the upper chamber. When all the liquid has reached the top, a bubbling effect is created! Let go and the liquids cool, and move back down to the lower chamber. Great for science class! Made from glass in assorted colors. WARNING: Not intended as a toy for children. Contains Ethyl Alcohol. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly wiht water. If irrigation persists, get medical attention. Do not use near heat or flames. Only warn using your hand. Liquid will stain if glass... |
 |
Energy Transfer by Salter Records |
|
Fascination Martly (Performer) | |
 |
Energy Suspension 3.1107G Hyper-Flex Black Transfer Case Torque Mount by Energy Suspension This black transfer case has a torque mount style and is designed to increase vehicle performance |
 |
Energy Makes Things Happen (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Author), Paul Meisel (Illustrator) Did you know that energy comes from the food you eat? From the sun and wind? From fuel and heat? You get energy every time you eat. You transfer energy to other things every time you play baseball. In this book, you can find out all the ways you and everyone on earth need energy to make things happen. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |