Photovoltaics in the Energy Industry and Nanotechnology

Photovoltaics in the Energy Industry and Nanotechnology Nanotechnology The field of nanotechnology dates back to the late 1950s when theoretical physicist Richard Feynman gave his famous talk called Theres Plenty of Room at the Bottom. In his talk, he introduced the concept of the control and manipulation of objects i.e. atoms, molecules, at a minute scale. It was K. Eric Drexler who popularised the term nanotechnology after using it in the title of his book Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology.   The term nanotechnology can be defined as the science of studying very small things or in other words studying things at the nanoscale (1-100nm). During the latter part of the 20th century increasing advances in microscopy technology such as SFM, AFM and TEM allowed scientists to view nanoparticles. A particles properties greatly changes when the particle is in the nanoscale range. This is due to the Quantum Effects phenomena. Properties such as melting point, fluorescence, electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, and chemical reactivity are vastly altered as the size of a particle reaches the nanoscale. As a result of the quantum effects that occur at this scale, a materials properties can be tuned to give a desired property by changing the size and shape of the particle. There are however many other parameters that affect a materials properties these will be become more evident later. A simple example where a materials properties change with reducing size to the nanoscale is that of the element gold. To the human eye gold appears to be a yellow colour while nanoscale gold a reddish colour is observed. This is as a result of the previously mentioned quantum effects, in this case the electrons of nanoscale gold particles are trapped (confined) and as a result react differently with light giving a different colour. This trapping of electrons property (quantum confinement) will further discussed later. As a result of the many desirable properties that are present in nanomaterials, numerous industries and fields alike have and are developing applications incorporating nanotechnology. The previously mentioned example of gold nanoparticles are utilised within a number applications of the medical industry. Biomedical applications for laser phototherapy, therapeutic agents as well as drug carriers have all been developed using gold nanoparticles. 1 The previously stated property of increased reactivity that occurs at the nanoscale relates to another specific property nanomaterials attain. As the size of a particle decreases the surface area increases. This increase in surface area has a profound effect on the reactivity between materials i.e. greatly enhanced reactivity. A number of different applications benefit from this nanoscale property including applications relating to the energy industry such as catalysts, energy storage and energy conversion devices. Nanotechnology has led to fabrication of novel devices and equipment and also many applications in a variety of fields none more so than the energy industry. Although several strides have been made in recent years in new technologies in the energy, current technologies cannot cope with man kinds ever increasing demand for energy. Therefore, there still remains a need to develop new sustainable energy technologies without detrimentally effecting the environment. Many leading experts in the energy industry believe that nanotechnology is the way forward to curbing these energy issues. 2,3 Photovoltaics in the Energy Industry Nanotechnology has in recent decades been incorporated into a number of technologies in the energy industry that utilise solar radiation as an energy source. Exploiting the suns energy is by far one of the most suitable ways out of all the renewable energy resources that exist for a number of reasons. Solar energy is free and basically limitless as solar energy provides approximately 15,000 times more energy in a year than is actually needed to meet the worlds current energy demands. 2 According to a 2014 renewable energy report by Eurostat the amount of renewable energy produced by EU member states increased by 73.1% between 2004 and 2014. Despite this increase only 16% of the EUs total energy consumption was from the renewable energy sector. The majority of the rest of the energy that was consumed came from fossil fuel based energy sources. Of the total renewable energy consumed, solar energy accounted for only 6.1% of total amount. These statistics highlight the improvements have been made in incorporating renewable energy, but also highlight the potential there is to integrate more solar based renewable energy. 3 The need to incorporate more renewable energy and replace existing fossil fuel based energy resources such as coal, gas and oil stems from their negative environmental impact. The ever increasing global temperatures are directly relating to rising CO2 levels, this is in part is as a result of the increase in the consumption of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution and peaking today in the early 21st century. The lack of utilisation of solar energy technologies such as photovoltaics (The 2014 GSR report indicates only 1.2% of global electricity production comes from photovoltaics) despite it being free and its wide abundance is largely due to cost. 4 It is the main reason why photovoltaic devices have failed to become more mainstream especially in comparison to non-renewable based energy sources whos cost per Watt of electricity are generally lower. The price of electricity produced from photovoltaics has certainly decreased in recent years as outlined in the Renewables 2016 Global Status Report. Prices in Germany for photovoltaic electricity have been quoted to be as low as à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬0.08/kWh which is comparable to the equivalent price of natural gas. Despite this figure the costs of photovoltaic electricity can be further be reduced with continued advances in its technologies. Electricity is produced in PV solar cells by conversion of photons from the light harnessed from the sun, otherwise known as the photoelectric effect. Traditionally PVs are fabricated using silicon wafer based solar cells. These wafers comprised of crystalline silicon are generally between 150-300 nm in thickness and these largely remain the main material in PV fabrication today. A variation to these PV devices includes utilising semiconducting thin films on top of complimentary silicon wafers. This method is a much more cost effective method but suffers from poor photon to electricity conversion rates. 2 The integration of nanomaterials specifically nanocrystals in the fabrication PV devices can curb some of the limitations that currently exist. First, the ability to control the energy bandgap provides flexibility and inter-changeability. Second nanostructured materials enhance the effective optical path and significantly decrease the probability of charge recombination. Thirdly and most significantly solar cells utilising nanocrystals have shown great potential as a low cost alternative to conventional solar cells. Solution based synthesis methods such as the colloidal method has a relatively straight forward process. The solution containing nanocrystals can easily and efficiently be incorporated into a solar cell using a number of low cost deposition techniques. As well as these facts copper based nanocrystals have attracted a deal of attention due to their abundance and low cost, which further emphasises the probability of nanocrystals replacing conventional solar cells.   Figure 1 below provides contrasting schematics of the conventional silicon based solar cells against the new generation of solar cells. Figure 1. Conventional vs Nanostructured Solar cells.2

Nationalism and Politics Custom Research by Essay Writers Essay

Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the world political climate has become more complex and in some cases outright hostile, many nations have turned inward, embracing nationalism as a method of self preservation at the very least and at best, or worst depending upon one’s point of view, pitting nations against one another in competition for global political status[1].   Because of these mixtures of nationalism and politics the question of why and how justifiably nationalism has been treated with suspicion by political thinkers becomes very relevant.   In this paper, the question will be discussed and explored with real world examples where appropriate. The Roots and Renaissance of Nationalism Nationalism, in one form or another, traces its European roots back at least 200 years; most sources agree that the â€Å"modern renaissance† of nationalism can be defined as the period when the Cold War reached its apex in the early 1970s[2].   It was also during this period that nationalism became truly political in nature, as the two superpowers of the world at that time, the United States and the United Soviet Socialist Republic, each developed an intense infrastructure of national pride and protectionism while at the same time trying to advocate their respective political systems in other nations in an effort to gain allies for their war of politics and ideology[3].   With the key players in the world political game embracing nationalism in its new form, the other nations of the world, large and small, soon followed suit.   Along with the nationalism boom came suspicion of nationalism on the part of many of the world’s most keen political minds and powerful p olitical players[4]. Justified Suspicion of Nationalism   Ã‚  Ã‚   The suspicion on the part of the world’s political leaders is justified; when one takes the time to look at world history over the last century or so, painful examples of nationalism run amok abound.   Many people do not realize it, but the roots of the Nazi party, the political machine of Adolf Hitler in the Germany of the 1930’s-1940’s, was based upon a very concentrated, and in hindsight toxic, form of German nationalism[5].   In this instance, Hitler, being a charismatic speaker and power monger, used the fervor of nationalism to build a regime which ultimately claimed millions of innocent lives and hurtled the world into war for years.    Behind the scenes, one can only imagine how many more lives were shattered as a result of Nazi fervor and actions. Also, referring back briefly to the introduction of this paper, the entire communist movement which came close to launching the world into war as well, had its beginnings in the elements of nationalism and the use by powerful and persuasive leaders to manipulate the masses into a system that would ultimately take away their freedom, their hope, and in some cases, their lives[6].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A present day example of possible nationalism and its potential to topple the political order exists in Great Britain, where sources indicate that there are forces within the government that advocate a concentrated form of nationalism, which ostensibly they maintain will give the common people more freedom, but in actuality, other sources claim, British nationalism would upset the established political order and lead to the downfall of the Crown itself[7]. What all of this represents is a potential power struggle that would likely ensue with the demolition of the traditional political order in a nation that has a proud history of resilience.   In fact, overall, the political leaders worldwide have in recent years voiced a concern that the new, more virulent form of nationalism that has emerged since the height of the Cold War is actually a social movement in disguise, used by those with a hunger for political power to burn down the established order and, in its place, put their own governments that of course have their own best interests at heart[8].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The point that is made with these real-life examples is that the suspicion with which political leaders often view nationalism is justified.   Any system that can devour an entire people against their will and best interests needs to be viewed with a certain degree of cynicism, and utilized only with the utmost caution. Nationalism and the World Economy   Ã‚  Ã‚   Because of the close relationship between global politics and economics, the effect of nationalism on world economies is important to understand, and likewise provides solid evidence that leaders in every corner of the planet should likewise monitor nationalism from the vista of economic consequences.   Taking into consideration the previously presented examples of political chaos caused by nationalism in its present most popular form, it is not a far stretch to predict what would happen economically to accompany political upheaval.   This is especially true when the use of â€Å"reform nationalism† is used.    Reform nationalism surfaces under the premise that it will actually lead to greater economic opportunities through an overhaul of a given nation’s economy, in such forms as a revision of the tax codes, monetary policy, and the like[9].   While it ultimately is true that most cases of reform nationalism do lead to new economic opportunities, they are usually reserved for those in power, or more precisely newly in power, while the masses find themselves worse off than before.   Unfortunately, this has happened time and time again in recent times due to the often volatile power systems in some nations; classic examples in recent times include Bosnia, Serbia, and much of Eastern Europe following the collapse of communism[10] . Key Considerations   Ã‚  Ã‚   In this paper, real examples of the validity of suspicion against nationalism by political leaders has been presented, but perhaps just as importantly, the common citizen must be vigilant to make sure that their interests and rights are preserved as well, as a check and balance against the powers that exist within politics; this is true in any nation.   As the old saying goes, those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   References    Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised Edition ed. London and New York: Verso, 1991. Anton Antonowicz Analyses the Lives of John Hume and David Trimble. (1998, October 17). The Mirror (London, England), p. 9. Beiner, Ronald, ed. Theorizing Nationalism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1999. Benner, Erica. (1995). Really Existing Nationalisms: A Post-Communist View from Marx and Engels. Oxford, Clarendon Press. Billig, Michael. Banal Nationalism. London: Sage Publications, 1995. Blair Warns of English Threat to New Britain; Let’s Stick Together: PM Blasts Right-Wing Agenda. (2000, March 28). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 6. Borntraeger, Ekkehard W. Borders, Ethnicity and National Self-Determination. Vienna: Baumueller, 1999. Boyce, D. George. Nationalism in Ireland. Third Edition ed. London and New York: Routledge, 1995. Brehony, K. J. and N. Rassool, ed. Nationalisms Old and New. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1999. Breuilly, John. Nationalism and the State. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. Brubaker, Rogers. Nationalism Reframed: Nationhood and the National Question in the New Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Bruce, Steve. The Edge of Union: The Ulster Loyalist Political Vision. Oxford, New York and Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1994. Burns, Jimmy. Barà §a: A People’s Passion. London: Bloomsbury, 1999. Carter, A. (1997). Nationalism and Global Citizenship. The Australian Journal of Politics and History, 43(1), 67+. Cottam, M. L., & Cottam, R. W. (2001). Nationalism & Politics: The Political Behavior of Nation States. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner. Ercegovac, P. (1998).   Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical Responses: The Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State.   Sydney, AU: University of Sydney. Glynn, P. (1994, August). Is Nationalism the Wave of the Future?. Commentary, 98, 42+. John McKie: Will Kilroy’s New Face of UK Politics Be Orange? (2005, February 5). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 13. The Making of the British. (2005, June 27). The Evening Standard (London, England), p. 67. Wheatcroft, G. (1999, June). The Making of the English Middle Class. The Atlantic Monthly, 283, 128. [1] Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised Edition ed. London and New York: Verso, 1991. [2]Carter, A. (1997). Nationalism and Global Citizenship. The Australian Journal of Politics and History, 43(1), 67+. [3]Brubaker, Rogers. Nationalism Reframed: Nationhood and the National Question in the New Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. [4]Beiner, Ronald, ed. Theorizing Nationalism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1999. [5]Glynn, P. (1994, August). Is Nationalism the Wave of the Future?. Commentary, 98, 42+. [6]Cottam, M. L., & Cottam, R. W. (2001). Nationalism & Politics: The Political Behavior of Nation States. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner. [7]Blair Warns of English Threat to New Britain; Let’s Stick Together: PM Blasts Right-Wing Agenda. (2000, March 28). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 6. [8]Ercegovac, P. (1998).   Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical Responses: The Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State.   Sydney, AU: University of Sydney. [9]Breuilly, John. Nationalism and the State. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. [10]Ercegovac, P. (1998).   Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical Responses: The Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State.   Sydney, AU: University of Sydney.

The Different Impact Of Colonialism - 968 Words

The Different Impact of Colonialism Africa has been impacted many ways throughout history such as the struggles of the slave trade, independence from colonialism, economic and political development. The colonization of Africa played many roles when it came to the impact of Africans. Erik Gilbert, Jonathan Reynolds, A. Adu Boahen have addressed the impact and issues of Africa in books such as Africa in World History and African Perspectives on European Colonialism. The Scramble for Africa became such a big deal because there were many individuals involved such as Spain, Britain, Belgium, Italy, France, Europeans, Portugal, and Germany coming into Africa marking their territory in different countries throughout Africa. African societies were impact through many ways when it came to economic, social, and political structures. According to Boahen, the scramble for Africa was attributed of a â€Å"combination of internal African conditions and external Europeans factors† (28). These problems arise after the Transatla ntic Slave trade because in many part of Africa the trading of slaves was a huge part of their economy. In addition, for the Europeans they had a problem of not having the available resource unlike Africans after the abolition of slave trading to moving to trading natural and raw material. Europeans wanted and needed more power; However, the struggle to obtain their goal in Europe. Many thought that after the Transatlantic Slave trade the economy might not experience theShow MoreRelatedAfrican Perspectives On Colonialism By Adu Boahen1138 Words   |  5 Pages Zaidi 1 Syed Haider Zaidi Andrea Boffa History 108 Section G 4/23/15 â€Å"African Perspectives on Colonialism† is a book written by A. Adu Boahen. This book classifies the African responses to European colonialism in the 19th century. Boahen begins with the status of Africa in the last quarter of the 19th century and follows through the first years of African independence. 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The book is a punch in the gut for every tourist, westerner, and individuals who are the product of colonialism. Most western education does not teach the full context of colonialism. The extension of students’ knowledge is the Berlin conference of 1884, which divided African territory between Europeans and US leaders without the inclusion of Africans. The education in the West does not delve into the impact of the con ference after colonialism. There is never a mentionRead MorePost Colonial Afric State Building And Economic Modernization1596 Words   |  7 Pagesassociated with African and European cultures, he acknowledges the profound impact that Europe has left after colonization. It is true, that it is hard to glance past Africa’s colonial past, even to this day Africa tends to be seen as a foil to Europe like Chinua Achebe brilliantly stated. Despite gaining independence almost sixty years ago , most African states still seem to hold scars from their colonial past. Although colonialism lasted for only a century (which is a relatively short period of timeRead MoreEssay about Indigenous Health1500 Words   |  6 Pages(Hampton Toombs, Racism, colonisation/colonialism and impacts on indigenous people, 2013). Before this time, it is suggested that Indigenous Australians lived relatively affluent lives and enjoyed generally better health than most people living in Europe (Hampton Toomb s, Indigenous Australian concepts of health and well-being, 2013). The arrival of introduced diseases, especially smallpox, caused considerable loss of life among Indigenous Australians. The impact of this is loss extended far beyond

Pestel Analysis for Luxury Exchanging Store - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 834 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/09/12 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? PESTEL Analysis for luxury exchanging store Political Chinas political environment for the luxury goods industry, the favorable overall development, whether from government regulation and deregulation, import and export restrictions, labor market and other aspects, China for the luxury goods industry, has provided a broad stage; and also, as we the interview are aware, the luxury development of the industry for the Chinese government has brought a certain amount of revenue, for the promotion of economic development has made its own contribution. Economic From an economic sense, is essentially a high-end luxury consumption of consumer behavior. Luxury is a relative concept, its meaning in different socio-economic conditions are constantly changing. With economic development, many of yesterdays luxuries have become todays necessities, but also many of todays luxuries become tomorrows necessities. Economic development is to maximize the satisfaction of the peoples growing material and cultural necessary, this need, in turn, promote economic development, economics is the study of how scarce resources to meet unlimited desires of mankind from this sense, Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Pestel Analysis for Luxury Exchanging Store" essay for you Create order People needs is an inexhaustible motive force promoting economic growth. This need has always manifested in the initial pursuit of luxury goods, along with economic development, luxury became a necessity, will create new luxury needs, once again to promote economic development, economy is constantly in the process progress. As the level of peoples needs continue to increase, creating a series of new consumer demand for hot spots. Chinas per capita GDP of 186. 43 U. S. ollars, luxury goods consumption growth was in direct proportion with the development of GDP, and GDP growth is at least twice Social With the large number of high-end consumer goods have moved into China and the world consumption gap is gradually reduced, the Chinese society pay more attention to promoting a new consumption concept, and many luxury brands is firmly grasped in different countries different consumer groups of consumer psychology, which makes the entire luxury industry developed steadily. But for a small number of people, the comparisons are easy to create a flashy phenomenon. From a social sense, luxury consumption is a personal taste and quality of life improvements; as early as 30 years in the 20th century, Shanghai as the largest international city in the Far East, forming the embryonic form of luxury retailing in China. New rich people become a driving force an important force in high-end luxury consumer, luxury consumption, getting younger and younger. Social development, peoples income growth, demand growth will be faster. Are some ordinary white-collar workers who will spend her entire monthly salary to buy one she was able to withstand †¢ Louis Vuitton handbag. , There is When people exchange is to show off wealth, status,there is a party to participate in a variety of occasions. Technological We are a luxury for the exchange of each of its excellent technology, high product cost, product development, design, technology innovation, production and other aspects of the investment, but also the entire luxury products are different from general consumer goods, sought after by the people is another important factor. Sustainable development and green eco-luxury packaging the future direction of development; other hand, the use of the online distribution service platform business model, the website can also make online transactions, but does not charge any fees Legal For the exchange to ensure the exchange of luxury goods supply channels and the quality, they are not only required to provide identity cards to xchange and receive copies, the store also has a national level of professional qualification appraisal division, identification checks on the consignment commodities, and goods valuation until after the two sides signed an agreement to negotiate a good price. At this time, staff self-development through the SC-ESM terminal management system to record and play barcode commodity information and make price tag, and then disinfected items will put them in the counter exchange sales. Meanwhile, Chinas investment Exchange Act, there is a sound legal protection. The State has a comprehensive and Exchange Act, consignment method Pestle Analysis – Environmental Stores environment does not require so magnificent, first thing that strikes a very transparent, spacious, orderly display of goods, there are so low-key points, introverted style of premium brands, but inside things are genuine luxury. Noon lunch and evening after work, people can come to stroll, there is a gang of white-collar work in the vicinity. The exchange of trade is bound to take opportune our idea of a smooth flow of goods, Let there be no idle resources concept to every peoples minds. In order to achieve maximum conservation of social resources in order to idle resources for the carrier to create enormous social value, the real benefit of the community to achieve the benefit of mankind. Of course, such an exchange shop in cortical processing can reduce the pollution and the shortage of leather and other materials. Luxury mode of production will reduce the environmental impacts to a minimum level, such as carbon emissions from the use of machinery and equipment, solar panel applications and to further to achieve zero emissions.