Researchers from the University of Surrey were today awarded funding by the UK government and the government in India for two projects to explore how nanotechnology will impact the future of renewable energy.
Awarded to researchers from the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) at the University of Surrey through the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UK-IERI), both programmes will involve close collaboration between universities in the UK and India, as well as with Tata Steel Research and Development UK.
The first project will look into how to effectively capture and store solar energy using an approach known as ‘inorganics-in-organics’, in which composite materials work together to increase efficiency.
The second project will examine the use of zinc oxide nanomaterials in ultra-high sensitivity gas sensors that can be used in environmental monitoring devices to deliver improved sensitivity and increased energy efficiency.
Project leader Professor Ravi Silva was confident that the nanotechnology projects offered direct solutions for the key challenges that the energy sector faces.
“Working with cutting-edge nanomaterials such as ZnO, graphene and carbon nanotubes, we can revolutionise energy storage and capture,” he added.