With energy at the forefront of the national economy and security energy-directed applications are of particular interest. Not surprisingly, energy and materials are intimately related.  Many forms of energy utilization, conversion and storage and generation are dominated by interfacial reactions.  Therein nanomaterials as an interfacial modifier will play a critical role in these processes.  Though synthesis of a host of organic and inorganic nanomaterials has been demonstrated, their integration into practical applications remains highly challenging.  This talk will provide an overview of their synthesis, integration and value in energy storage, conservation, transfer, efficiency, control and generation.  Specific energy applications we have explored include the following:1)    Storage: Increased energy density in Li ion batteries and supercapacitors using carbon nanotubes2)    Efficiency: Reduced friction using nanolubricants between moving parts3)    Transfer: Improved thermal management using nanofluids in heat transfer applications4)    Conservation: Lightweight polymeric composites incorporating nanotubes, nanoclays and graphene oxide for vehicle composites5)    Control: Gas sensors based on nanoscale metal oxide semi-conductors for process control and monitoring6)    Generation: Catalysts and photocatalysts using nanostructured oxides for accelerated charge transfer and minimal recombination lossesHighlights in each application will be presented.

Nanomaterials as interfacial modifiers in advanced energy applications

246th National Meeting (2013)

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