Nanotechnology & Energy

Nanotechnology 

Nanotechnology is the field of low-dimensionality.  Graphene – a monolayer of graphite – is an example.  Currently, we investigate interfaces of graphene with a zero-dimensional material, quantum semiconductor dots in the realization of new electro-optic elements.



Nano optical antenna



Graphene-QD interfaces

 

Energy Storage

We study the effect of internal capacitor within super-capacitors (a capacitor within a capacitor).  Super capacitors are electrolytic based capacitors where the capacitance is built at the interface between the electrolyte and electrodes.  We add a third electrode – the gate electrode – between the anode and the cathode electrodes.  This electrode is porous and structured; it was shown to increase the capacitance of super-capacitors by 50%. 

 

 

Capacitor-within-capacitor – a new super-capacitor concept

 

Energy Distribution

We study packatized energy distribution whereby the energy is first requested by, and then granted to specific users.  No one else can use the energy.  Similarly to information networks, the energy is digitally coded – the message is energy.  Simulations and experiments demonstrated the advantage of this new energy distribution concept. 


The digital grid is envisioned as an energy on demand network.  The energy is coded and reaches only the user's address.