The Neatest Nanotech of 2005

Rising oil prices and the threat of global warming have rekindled the search for alternative sources of energy. While we reported this year on the growing acceptance of nuclear power as a source of clean energy, we also described several advances in nanotechnology that may pave the way for more practical solar power.

Eventually, materials monitoring could lead to batteries with enough power and energy density to make electric cars practical — and a pleasure to drive. Because lithium batteries don’t have the distribution problems inherent in hydrogen, batteries could beat out fuel cells in the cars of the future.

technologyreview