Webtalk: Toward a sustainable and secure energy supply with nanotechnology

(Nanowerk News) On June 14 at 5:00 p.m., nanotechnology expert Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Iden, will be a guest on the NanoWebTalk program from Nanostart AG. Rüdiger Iden
Rüdiger Iden
Prof. Iden teaches polymer chemistry at Heinrich-Heine-Universität in Düsseldorf and for many years held various positions at BASF – ultimately as spokesperson for nanotechnology. He is a member of numerous advisory committees, including the executive board of the Nanotechnology Industry Association (NIA) in Brussels. He is a board member of the nanotechnology section of DECHEMA and a member of the advisory board for the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces in Golm.

The topic of his presentation is "Toward a sustainable and secure energy supply with nanotechnology". In this interview he previews what listeners can expect:

"Nanotechnolog is leading to improvements in energy conservation, energy storage and increasingly efficient generation for both fossil and renewable energy sources."

Professor Iden, what will we learn during your presentation?

The emphasis of my presentation is on the role of nanotechnology in a sustainable energy supply. Nanotechnology is leading to improvements in each of these areas: energy conservation, energy storage, and increasingly efficient generation for both fossil and renewable energy sources.

In your assessment, how important is the role of nanotechnology in the nuclear power phase-out that has been announced by the German government?
The role of nanotechnology is crucial but somewhat indirect, as it will provide more efficient materials and systems for generation and storage of renewable energies. Accordingly, materials research will also play an important role in the energy transition program that has been initiated by the German government. Nanoscopic processing of atomic waste from nuclear power plants could also be exciting, if it is successful in decreasing the half-life durations of highly radioactive materials.
Is nanotechnology only a topic for industry, or is it also helping private households save energy and therefore money?
The bigger developments are certainly related to industry, or it will be a few years until they are available to the broader consumer market (e.g., new insulation systems, improved lithium-ion batteries, OLEDs in displays and lighting). Stain-resistant coatings for paint and household applications are already on the market.
Please note that the conference language is German.
Source: Nanostart