The World in 2030

196 The World in 2030
Nano molecules produce electricity when heated.
Now, new research shows that certain organic molecules
produce voltage when exposed to heat. Ultimately,
they could be much cheaper and thus more
practical to implement.
If all goes well, though, so-called thermoelectric devices
based on the molecules could prove to be an
important source of power – and a way to reduce
greenhouse-gas emissions by making far more efficient
use of fossil fuel. ‘Ninety per cent of the world’s
electricity is generated by thermal-mechanical means,’
says Arun Majumdar, professor of mechanical engineering
at UC Berkeley and another researcher on
the project. ‘And a lot of the heat is wasted. One and
a half times the power that is generated is actually
wasted.’ 371
And there may also be the potential for saving the energy
lost during power transmission. Referring to the pioneering
work done by Professor R.E. Smalley 372 of Rice University,
Ray Kurzweil writes:
Transmission of energy will also be made far more
efficient. A great deal of energy today is lost in transmission
due to the heat created in power lines and
inefficiencies in the transportation of fuel, which
also represent a primary environmental assault.
Smalley, despite his critique of molecular nanomanufacturing,
has nevertheless been a strong
advocate of new nanotechnology-based paradigms