It is widely believed that wind and solar power are too variable in time to supply a large percentage of energy needs. This perception is based on wind and solar energy production over small domains, but is it true for a large domain? A study was conducted to determine the resource availability of wind and solar energy over the 48 US states. A meteorological assimilation model was used to estimate hourly wind and solar resources for three years – 2006 through 2008. Geographic data were...

The rapid developments in molecular sciences like nanotechnology, self-organizing molecular systems and biomaterials generate a wealth of new materials and functions. In comparison to electronics and medical sciences, the application of these new materials in architecture and civil engineering remains somewhat underexposed. It is our opinion that new functionalities in optics, responsive mechanics, sensing and adjustable permeation for gases and water might add to new opportunities in...

Plasmonic nanoparticle self-assembly and self-alignment in liquid crystals, Lecture IV
Smalyukh, Ivan, University of Colorado at Boulder, United States

Summary: Why have the predicted global oil and natural gas shortages and demise of civilization by 2010 related to these vanishing supplies not occurred? The static view has created a pessimistic outlook based on historical perspective such as the Hubbert curve analysis which results in the inescapable and inevitable depletion that will result in catastrophic consequences for civilization. A new paradigm, a dynamic or petroleum system view demonstrates a different and more optimistic...

Sustainable energy generation is one of the most urgent challenges that mankind is facing nowadays. Many countries have set ambitious objectives to increase the share of energy produced from clean and renewable sources. Unfortunately, the actual renewables are still not competitive with respect to fossil fuels, due to the high costs of the related technologies, their variable and non-uniform availability and their low power density per unit area. Thus, a breakthrough would be needed in...

Beginning with some background information on the unique German position regarding the energy supply eliminating any nuclear power by 2022 but enforcing the use of renewable energy sources, the challenges for both the building and the power generation sector will be highlighted. The talk will introduce opportunities to improve energy performance of buildings by new and innovative HVAC concepts as well as for increasing the penetration of renewable and environmental energy sources for heat...

Optical generation of particle-like localized structures in cholesteric liquid crystals, Lecture III
Smalyukh, Ivan, University of Colorado at Boulder, United States

Authors: Dag Nummedal. Reduction of carbon emissions and enhancement of national energy security are desirable goals. Discussions of how to realize these goals, however, generate a lot of heated debate – not all of it illuminating. An accelerated switch to renewable energy may seem like a logical push, yet the vastness of the global energy system is such that even the most optimistic scenarios for development of renewables are not going to bring about a cleaner atmosphere fast enough....

I-CAMP 2010 Australia Wednesday July 7 Ivan Smalyukh Optical trapping in anisotropic liquid crystal fluids Lecture V
Parnell Building Rm 222, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
10:00am Wednesday July 7, 2010

I-CAMP 2010 Australia Wednesday July 7 Ivan Smalyukh Optical trapping in anisotropic liquid crystal fluids Lecture IV
Parnell Building Rm 222, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
8:30am Wednesday July 7, 2010