Solar Nanoantenna Electromagnetic Collectors for Energy Production
Ameziane, Maria (2015)
Ameziane, Maria
Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
Creative Commons Attribution 1.0 Suomi
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201505219391
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201505219391
Tiivistelmä
With a rapidly growing global population and increasing trends of urbanization and industrialization, anthropogenic activities are placing a large burden on the global energy system. Today, fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal power nearly all sectors of human activity. Unfortunately, fossil fuels are non-renewable and are expected to face rapid depletion over the next decades. In addition, the growing concerns over environmental impacts of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the burning of fossil fuels have pointed out the necessity of making a radical transition toward more sustainable means of energy production.
Nanoantenna solar electromagnetic collectors (NECs) are a new promising alternative technology that can potentially contribute to solving the energy challenge. NECs are small metallic structures capable of directly converting solar energy into electricity through surface plasmon resonance.
This work is a literature review of NECs for solar energy conversion. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential of NECs as a clean, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In addition, the possibility of using nanocellulose - a natural wood-derived polymer with remarkable properties – in the fabrication of NECs was evaluated on the basis of available literature and an interview with experts.
The high theoretical efficiency of NECs and the possibility for large-scale, low-cost fabrication methods are important advantages that can potentially make NECs a competitive alternative to photovoltaic solar cells. However, due to technical limitations, efficient energy conversion with NEC devices has not yet been demonstrated. These limitations will need to be addressed in order to make possible the design of high-performance NECs.
The analysis of material properties of nanocellulose suggest that its use in the construction of NECs may be possible. Nevertheless, experimental work will be needed in the future in order to support or reject this claim.
Nanoantenna solar electromagnetic collectors (NECs) are a new promising alternative technology that can potentially contribute to solving the energy challenge. NECs are small metallic structures capable of directly converting solar energy into electricity through surface plasmon resonance.
This work is a literature review of NECs for solar energy conversion. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential of NECs as a clean, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In addition, the possibility of using nanocellulose - a natural wood-derived polymer with remarkable properties – in the fabrication of NECs was evaluated on the basis of available literature and an interview with experts.
The high theoretical efficiency of NECs and the possibility for large-scale, low-cost fabrication methods are important advantages that can potentially make NECs a competitive alternative to photovoltaic solar cells. However, due to technical limitations, efficient energy conversion with NEC devices has not yet been demonstrated. These limitations will need to be addressed in order to make possible the design of high-performance NECs.
The analysis of material properties of nanocellulose suggest that its use in the construction of NECs may be possible. Nevertheless, experimental work will be needed in the future in order to support or reject this claim.