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nanoBridge Sectors |
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We see the potential to enhance energy production and conservation across all branches of industry. Nanotechnologies are brought to bear on each link of the energy value chain.
Potential applications within the energy value chain:
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Source |
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Conversation |
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Storage & Distribution |
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Usage |
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Sustainable |
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Hydrogen |
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Chemical |
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Thermal |
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Lightning |
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• Solar |
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Combustion Engines |
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• Fuel Reforming |
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• Phase Change Materials |
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Industrial Processes |
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• Wind |
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Gas Turbines |
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• Hydrogen |
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• Absorptive Storage |
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Thermal Insulation |
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• Geothermal |
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Thermo-electric |
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• Fuel Tanks |
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Heat Transfer |
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Climate Control |
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• Biomass |
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Electric Motors |
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Electrical |
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Grids |
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Construction |
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Hydro-carbons |
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• Batteries |
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Transmission |
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Nuclear |
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• Super-capacitors |
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In terms of energy generation, nano-related technological advances in photovoltaic and nuclear segments are of particular interest. Renewables represent the fastest-growing group of energy sources for world electricity generation, growing by an average of 2.9% per year from 2006 to 2030. Solar energy has made substantial progress in recent years in achieving market acceptance, efficiency and cost competitiveness. Global PV* Market turnover is projected to grow by CAGR of 14.9% from $12.9B in 2007 to $32B in 2013. Several nanoscale technologies are competing at the core of the process in creating energy from solar rays and manufacturing cells and panels. Solar cells made from crystalline silicon corrently dominate with 89% market share in 2008, and a variety of thin film products have 11% market share. By 2012 thin film market share is projected to reach over 50%. Most competing thin film products are based on nanotechnology.
Additional possibilities are anticipated in technologies that enhance the manufacturing and operational processes such as new deposition techniques, thermal management and optics.
Nuclear generation requires maximized safety and efficiency and nanotechnology represents a basis for advances towards these goals through improved monitoring capabilities, increased purity of input materials and coatings that increase durability. Several nuclear-based advances being explored will have applications in other energy sectors and unrelated fields. For example, current limiters enhance grid-management and more highly conductive materials improve transmission.
Our team brings experience in other energy areas as well, such as hydrogen generation, which is an increasingly important component to many links in the energy value chain and other industries. A substantial volume of hydrogen is produced to drive the ammonia industry, an area of particular expertise at Edgewood, and nano-catalysts offer the potential to greatly reduce the amount of coal and gas needed to generate hydrogen to fuel these plants. The market is projected to grow to $18.5 billion in 2012 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2007 to 2012. Nanocatalysts also have potential to increase the energy efficiency of technical processes in refining petrochemicals as well as pharmaceuticals, food processing and environmental remediation.
Given the team's strong background in the chemicals industry, the Fund will look at opportunities for nanotechnology to improve the efficiency of existing materials and composites (e.g. providing greater strength, lightness, resistance to heat), as well as in making coatings more effective and durable.
Attractive nano-scale technology advances in capacitors and fuel cells are driving these devices towards greater efficiency and market acceptance in energy storage and usage.
Improving energy usage is another area of interest. For example, a paradigm shift in lighting is under way as sources of artificial light are being converted from incandescent & fluorescent bulbs to light emitting diodes (LEDs). Due to efficiency gains and lower manufacturing costs LEDs are penetrating the general illumination market. The materials at the various stages of the LED production process are experiencing rapid technical change where improvements are often seen at the nano-scale. The LED market is estimated to be $11.4 bln by 2012, assuming 20% growth over the next 4 years. For high power LEDs, which produce large amounts of light, current and heat management pose challenges to the technology and production costs are still high. Nanotech has the ability to meet these challenges through various approaches at the chip, thermal management and packaging level.
Technologies that improve thermal management, chip optimization & integration and optics are particularly significant. Nanotechnologies that involve other new as well as traditional sources of energy and efficiency in usage will also be considered, including new , improved methods of preparing coal and other hydrocarbons for processing and maximizing energy production or reducing environmental impact.
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New York
Chiron Partners, LLC
1251 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 2700
New York, NY 10020-1104 (Map)
Phone: +1 212 521 4301
Fax: +1 917 591 3437
Moscow
25 Leontievsky Pereulok, 5th Floor
Moscow, Russia 125009 (Map)
Phone: +7 495 221 4170 |
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