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Beyond Prometheus: Nanotechnology and Resources Prepared for the Foresight Institute December, 2001 Stephen L. Gillett, Ph.D. Dept. of Geological Sciences Mackay School of Mines University of Nevada Reno, NV 89557 Copyright ? 2001 by Stephen L. Gillett All rights reserved. Used by permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT 5 1. INTRODUCTION 6 1.1. The Promethean Paradigm 7 1.2. Beyond Prometheus 8 1.3. Applications of MNT to Resources 9 1.3.1. Vastly improved efficiency of energy usage 9 1.3.2. Information-intensive energy extraction 9 1.3.3. Solid-state energy generation 9 1.3.4. Molecular separation of elements and molecules 9 1.3.5. Change of materials mix 9 1.3.6. Space-based resources 9 2. NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY 10 2.1. The Promethean Paradigm, I. 10 2.2. Specific Technological Approaches: MNT and Energy Efficiency. 12 2.2.1. MNT vs. Prometheus. 12 . Fuel cells. 13 2.2.2. Catalysis. 16 2.2.3. High-strength materials. 17 2.2.4. Energy storage. 18 . Portable power sources. 18 .a. Batteries. 18 .b. Capacitors. 19 .c. Fuel cells. 21 . Electrosynthesis. 21 2.2.5. MNT, nanofabrication, and distributed fabrication. 22 2.2.6. Passive energy handling and smart materials. 23 2.3. Information intensive resource extraction. 24 2.3.1. Ubiquitous sensing. 24 2.3.2. Diffuse resources. 24 2.4 Specific Technological Approaches: MNT and Solid-State Energy Generation. 24 2.4.1. Heat engines: thermoelectric power. 24 2.4.2. Piezoelectric power. 25 2.5 Energy sources. 26 2.5.1. Conventional fossil fuels. 26 2.5.2. Unconventional fossil fuels. 27 . Oil shale. 27 . Tar sands. 28 . Clathrates. 28 2.5.3. Applications of nanotechnology to fossil fuels. 28 . Extraction of fossil fuels. 28 . Catalysis and syngas. 28 . Usage of fossil fuels. 29 . Thermoelectrics. 29 . Superstrength materials. 29 2.5.4. Nuclear fission. 30 . Uranium. 30 . Thorium. 30 2.5.5. Applications of nanotechnology to fission energy. 30 . Mining and extraction. 30 . Reprocessing of nuclear fue