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Event
Nov 7, The Power of Nanotechnology for Clean Tech Applications
The Washington Clean Technology Alliance presents a talk by Professor M. Grant Norton, Washington State University, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Description:
This presentation will highlight WSU's work in exploring how the novel properties of nanomaterials can be exploited for alternative energy applications. At the nanoscale materials behave very differently from how they do in bulk form. For example, nanostructured glass has properties that are very different from those of plate glass. Silica glass nanosprings with diameters over 5,000 times smaller than a human hair have enormous surface areas and unique surface structures that can be used for storage of hydrogen. The U.S. Department of Energy has identified hydrogen storage as a key requirement for enabling the hydrogen economy. All current methods for storing hydrogen have significant practical limitations. The first viable option for practical hydrogen storage may be using nanomaterials, specifically silica nanosprings.
Professor Norton will also describe other areas where the unique properties of nanomaterials provide exciting and viable opportunities for clean tech applications. Gold is normally an unreactive metal, but at the nanoscale it becomes a very potent catalyst with potential applications in fuel cells and hydrogen generation. Nanomaterials also enable unique approaches to solar energy capture, with the possibility for very high efficiency solar cells.
Biography
M. Grant Norton is Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University and serves as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs in the College of Engineering and Architecture. Professor Norton obtained his PhD in Materials from Imperial College, London and spent a two-year postdoctoral at Cornell University before joining the Washington State University faculty in 1991.
Prior to entering academia, Norton worked for two major European multinationals. Professor Norton has consulted for a number of companies and organizations. He recently formed GoNano Technologies, Inc., a university spin off company focused on alternative energy applications for nanomaterials.
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Location600 University St
30th Floor Conference Room
Seattle, WA 98101
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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