Otis Singleton
Nanocrystal electricity is a technology that converts heat, light, and other forms of energy into electricity. In the late 2010s, investors promoted nanocrystal electricity as a green technology with great money-making potential. Energous, a startup tech company, was cited in several articles and financial newsletters as spearheading nanocrystal electricity. However, nanocrystal electricity exists mostly in labs today, and there have been unsuccessful investor campaigns to sell stocks in this technology. Nanocrystal electricity has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry, and companies are racing to get their technology adopted. Nanocrystal electricity is also being developed by Quantum Materials Corp, which is leaning towards sustainable and clean energy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Energous (WATT) |
| Founder | Michael Robinson |
| Technology | Wireless charging |
| Industry | Solar energy, photovoltaics |
| Science | Piezoelectric effect |
| Crystal Type | Nano |
| Crystal Property | Extremely small |
| Crystal Application | Mechanical pressure |
| Crystal Outcome | Electric current |
| Advantages | Light, flexible, transparent, cost-efficient |
| Disadvantages | Inadequate electric currents |
| Investors | Stock Gumshoe, Nova-X Report |
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What You'll Learn
Wireless charging
One company that has been at the centre of attention for wireless charging is Energous. In 2016, there was speculation that Apple would utilise Energous' WattUp wireless charging technology in the iPhone 7, which did not come to pass. However, Energous has made significant strides since then, receiving FCC certification for its WattUp Mid Field transmitter in December 2017. This transmitter employs radio frequency (RF) energy to wirelessly charge WattUp-enabled devices within a three-foot range. Energous' system operates similarly to Ossia's technology, utilising an array of antennas to send a "pocket of energy" to the receiving device.
Ossia is another leader in wireless charging technology, boasting over 180 patents and approval to sell its products in more than 45 countries. Their system employs hundreds or thousands of antennas to charge devices within a room, without the need for a charging pad or wires.
Other notable companies in the wireless charging space include WiTricity, which uses magnetic resonance to safely charge devices through various materials, and uBeam, which employs ultrasound waves instead of radio waves to transmit power to prototype consumer devices.
While the term "nanocrystal electricity" has been used to describe this wireless charging technology, it is important to note that this term has been criticised as misleading. Nanocrystals have applications in solar cells, lasers, and high-performing LEDs, but their role in wireless charging specifically is not entirely clear.
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Solar energy
Nanocrystal solar cells are solar cells based on a substrate with a coating of nanocrystals. Nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots or nanoparticles, are less than 100 nm in size and are used as performance-boosting materials in solar cells. Nanocrystal photovoltaics may offer advantages such as flexibility, lower costs, clean power generation, and high efficiency compared to first-generation crystalline silicon-based photovoltaics.
Quantum dot solar cells are a type of nanocrystal solar cell that leverages quantum mechanical effects to enhance performance. Dye-sensitized solar cells are another variant, where the nano-structuring is part of the substrate. Nanocrystal solar cells can be fabricated using colloidal synthesis, a cheaper alternative to molecular beam epitaxy. Spin-coating is a process that involves placing a quantum dot solution on a flat substrate and rotating it at high speed to obtain a thin film of nanocrystals.
Research in nanocrystal solar cells is being conducted by groups at Stanford, Berkeley, and the University of Tokyo. While the technology is still in its early stages, it holds promise for improving solar energy conversion efficiency and reducing costs, particularly in developing regions with abundant sunlight.
In terms of leadership in nanocrystal electricity, Michael Robinson's Nova-X Report mentions a company that is allegedly a leader in this field, although the specific company is not named. The report hints at wireless charging technology, promising astronomical revenue increases. However, it is important to approach such claims with caution, as they may employ sensational marketing tactics.
One company mentioned in relation to nanocrystal electricity is Energous (WATT), a wireless charging startup that has received FCC approval for an over-the-air transmitter. While the technology has generated excitement, it also raises health concerns regarding exposure to powerful radio waves.
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Wireless power transfer
Nanocrystal electricity refers to the generation of electric currents by applying mechanical pressure to extremely small (nano) crystals, known as the piezoelectric effect. This effect can occur directly, where pressure on the nanocrystals creates an electric current, or inversely, where a voltage is applied to the crystal, causing it to expand or shrink. While the potential of nanocrystal electricity for wireless power transfer was hyped by investors, the reality is that it has more applications in fields like medicine rather than powering homes or recharging devices wirelessly.
Despite the hype, some companies and startups are actively working on scaling up WPT technology for widespread use. One such company is Energous (WATT), a wireless charging startup that received FCC approval for an over-the-air transmitter. Additionally, research has been conducted on the wireless power transfer of electromagnetic energy to light up halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), which are low-cost and high-efficiency luminescent nanomaterials.
While the future of nanocrystal electricity in WPT is uncertain, the technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we power our devices, offering a more convenient and wire-free experience. However, it is important to approach the topic with a critical eye, as the history of nanocrystal electricity and WPT involves hype and overpromising claims by investors.
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Investor interest
Nanocrystal electricity has attracted significant investor interest in recent years, with its promise of wireless power transfer and revolutionary impact on various industries. The concept of nanocrystals generating electric currents through the piezoelectric effect has captivated the attention of investors seeking opportunities in green technology and next-generation electronics.
In the late 2010s, investors began promoting nanocrystal electricity as a disruptive technology with substantial money-making potential. Companies like Energous were cited in financial newsletters as pioneers in this field. The idea of wireless charging and its potential to power a wide range of electronic devices, electric cars, and other applications sparked excitement among investors.
However, it is important to approach this technology with a degree of skepticism. While nanocrystal electricity has scientific merit, it currently exists mostly in laboratories and early-stage research. The scale of electric currents produced through the piezoelectric effect may not be sufficient to power homes or countries, as noted by some experts.
Nevertheless, several prominent companies, including Motorola, Canon, Toshiba, LG, Sony, and Samsung, are actively exploring NanoCrystal Electricity tech. The potential impact on the electronics industry and the possibility of creating a new class of tech millionaires and billionaires cannot be overlooked. Arbell Energy, for example, is innovating in the field of solar solutions, harnessing nanocrystal technology to improve solar cell efficiency and bring sustainable energy solutions to the market.
Investors should carefully consider the risks and potential of nanocrystal electricity before making decisions. While the technology holds promise, it is still in its early stages, and practical implementation may differ from the hype surrounding it.
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Potential applications
While the term "nanocrystal electricity" is often regarded as a buzzword or hype, the technology behind it is very real. Nanocrystal solar cells are solar cells based on a substrate coated with nanocrystals, typically made of silicon, CdTe, or CIGS. The process of converting incident light energy into electrical energy using quantum dot-based photovoltaic cells is called spin coating. This technology has been found to be promising due to its high efficiency and low-cost materials.
- Electronic devices: Nanocrystal electricity could be used to power electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This would eliminate the need for charging pads, wires, or plugs, allowing users to charge their devices wirelessly and more conveniently.
- Electric vehicles: Nanocrystal electricity has the potential to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry by enabling wireless charging for cars, buses, and other electric vehicles. This would enhance the user experience and contribute to a more sustainable transportation system.
- Medical devices: Nanocrystal electricity can be applied in the medical field, powering medical devices such as pacemakers, hearing aids, and health monitoring sensors. The wireless nature of nanocrystal electricity could improve the comfort and mobility of patients and enable more flexible device placement.
- Military equipment: Nanocrystal electricity may find applications in military equipment, powering devices used in surveillance, communication, and weaponry. Wireless power transfer could enhance the stealth and mobility of military personnel and improve the reliability of their equipment.
- Retail and consumer electronics: Retail and consumer electronics could also benefit from nanocrystal electricity. Wireless power transfer could be integrated into retail displays, allowing customers to interact with products without the clutter of wires. Additionally, consumer electronics such as televisions, speakers, and gaming consoles could be powered wirelessly, improving the aesthetics and functionality of home entertainment systems.
- Industrial equipment: Nanocrystal electricity has the potential to power industrial equipment, including machinery, sensors, and robotics. Wireless power transfer in industrial settings can improve safety, flexibility, and efficiency by eliminating the need for cables and cords, which can be cumbersome and hazardous in certain environments.
While the potential applications of nanocrystal electricity are indeed promising, it is important to approach the technology with a measured level of optimism. The health implications of exposure to powerful radio waves and the realistic timeline for technological development should be carefully considered.
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Frequently asked questions
Nanocrystal electricity refers to tiny crystals generating electric currents via the piezoelectric effect.
There are two ways the piezoelectric effect happens: direct and inverse. Mechanical pressure on extremely small (nano) crystals creates an electric current. Microphones and pressure sensors function because of the direct piezoelectric effect. The inverse piezoelectric effect occurs when voltage is applied to a piezoelectric crystal, expanding or shrinking it. Speakers in phones and buzzers, as well as sonar, operate because of the inverse piezoelectric effect.
In 2018, companies such as Motorola, Canon, Toshiba, LG, Sony, and Samsung were working to fast-track nanocrystal electricity technology. In the late 2010s, the startup tech company Energous was cited in several articles and financial newsletters as spearheading nanocrystal electricity. Arbell Energy is another company working on nanocrystal electricity, focusing on solar solutions.
Nanocrystal electricity has the potential to revolutionize electronics and create a new class of tech millionaires and billionaires. It could become the go-to source for powering businesses, homes, and more than 30 billion electrical devices globally.
While nanocrystal electricity has generated excitement among investors and received endorsements from notable figures such as Stephen Hawking and Marty Cooper, it exists mostly in labs today. The technology is still in a "build-out phase", and there have been unsuccessful investor campaigns to sell stock in nanocrystal electricity.
