Nanoparticle Steam Generation by Naomi Halas

Many coauthors, no editors. They converted solar energy to heat, which in turn boiled (or sublimated) water into steam. But not solar energy directly to steam. This sounds like a successful technique, but with too much fluff around the description.

Isn't Jade Boyd the editor for Rice. On a technical aspect,???? the article also was peer reviewed.

I didn't read the whole paper, but I found the video and other descriptions somewhat lacking, I must admit.

There is coverage of other work by Halas on YouTube, where the nanoparticles she developed for medical applications are described as 'nanoshells' made of glass with a gold coating, which makes it easier to understand how they absorb light and generate heat. I believe the same principle is used here, but different metals.

I suppose they need to continue and present some form of continuous process where there are feed streams and product streams. I wonder what the upper limit will be on pressure of the steam produced, as 17 psi isn't worth a hell of a lot for power generation, although I suppose one could drive a large piston steam engine with this, if the process could be scaled up to useful size.

Could this also be utilized to heat other materials rapidly, and result in pyrolysis, such as wet algae coated with nanogold, or carbon black? How would the nanogold be recycled, etc. More questions than answers.

I see, the low steam pressure is a good explanation why power generation is not the most promising application (at least, at the present stage of development). Thanks, James.

On the other hand, if the temperature (of the steam) can be boosted (which it can), and the device could be made to produce upwards of 100-200 psig, then various steam engines and turbines could make use of the energy. Obviously, it all comes down to thermodynamics, economy of scale, etc.

Could it work if you disolve carbon nanoparticles (graphene) lets say in a juice, steam sterilize the fluid in a continuous process and at the end of the line separate the carbon by an external magnetic field ?

Since when is graphene ferromagnetic?

It is an excellent presentation "in principle". The stated 24% conversion factor, straight Sunlight to Steam is impressive. No mechanical complications, excellent.

The Gates foundation support is very good for such long view programs. If it is nearly as good as it seems, in a year or two many researchers and developers will pick up on it for their purposes. The two application without electricity already will keep their founding flowing.

Yes, and in a world where freshwater resources that are usable seem ever more scarce, this has the potential to help with purifying certain brackish waters economically. Also with remediation of low concentration wastewaters that have metal contamination (by concentrating to the point they can more easily be disposed), and with reclaiming wastewater to a standard that will be acceptable for drinking (as long as certain hygenic measures are taken).

I should think the most economic equipment will simply use the carbon black mentioned in the paper, since that technology is mature, readily available, and does not require precious metal.