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Nov. 18, 2008

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded North Carolina State University's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering a $1.2 million grant to build and study tiny materials that can help generate renewable energy.

Researchers will use the grant to learn more about how these nanostructures – objects hundreds of times smaller than the width of a human hair – can be engineered to mimic natural ways of converting energy into a form consumers can use.

The goal is to inexpensively convert sunlight or heat into electricity with little impact on the environment. The grant was secured by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and U.S. Rep. Brad Miller.

Results of the research could eventually help supply renewable electricity for motors, pumps and other industrial systems that account for 80 percent of industrial energy use worldwide. The work will continue to enhance NC State's reputation as a world leader in nanotechnology and energy research.