Our Energy Challenge
R. E. Smalley Rice University
Columbia UniversityNYCSeptember 23, 2003
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Oil Coal GasFissionBiomass
Hydroelectric
Solar, wind, geothermal
0.5%
Source: Internatinal Energy Agency
2003
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Oil Coal Gas
Fusion / Fission
Biomass
Hydroelectric
Solar, wind, geothermal
2050
The ENERGY REVOLUTION (The Terawatt Challenge)
14 Terawatts
210 M BOE/day 30 -- 60 Terawatts450 – 900 MBOE/day
The Basis of Prosperity 20st Century = OIL 21st Century = ??
World Energy Millions of Barrels per Day (Oil Equivalent)
300
200
100
01860 1900 1940 1980 2020 2060 2100
Source: John F. Bookout (President of Shell USA) ,“Two Centuries of Fossil Fuel Energy” International Geological Congress, Washington DC; July 10,1985. Episodes, vol 12, 257-262 (1989).
From “Basic Research Need for a Hydrogen Economy”,Report of DOE BES Workshop on Hydrogen Production, Storage, and UseMay 13-15, 2003 (available on the DOE BES web site)
165,000 TWof sunlighthit the earthevery day
Solar Cell Land Area Requirements
6 Boxes at 3.3 TW Each = 20 TWe
PhD Degrees in Science and Engineering
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Year
PhD per year
Asians citizensAll fields of Science & Engineering
US citizens, all fields of Science and Engineering, (excluding psychology & social sciences)
US citizens,Physical Sciences and Engineering only
Source: Science and Engineering Indicators, National Science Board, 2002
“Beyond the Molecular Frontier Challenges for Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering”
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National Research Council Report
of Committee Chaired by
Ronald Breslow and
Matthew V. Tirrell
Challenges in Synthesis
• Highly selective, energy efficient, and environmentally benign new synthetic methods
Alternatives to Fossil Fuels• Driven by finite supply of fossil fuels and global
warming
• Unlimited energy sources will enable a sustainable future
Interface with Biology
• Understanding the processes of life in molecular terms
Interface with Medicine
• Therapies for Memory and Cognition, Obesity, Aging
• Viral diseases: AIDS, Ebola
Green Chemistry• Greener by Design: Reduce or eliminate
the use and generation of hazardous substances
• Better understanding of the atmosphere and the biosphere so that we can maintain a livable environment
National Security and Homeland Defense
• Root cause of terrorism is gap between developing and developed countries
• Energy independence
• Chemical and biological sensors
Five Major Societal Problems That Will Require
Advances in Basic Chemistry
Five Advances in Basic Chemistry That Will Enable New Opportunities
Five Modern Achievements of Basic Chemistry with Major Impacts
Five Major Societal Problems That Will Require Advances in Basic Chemistry
• Conquer Disease – Anti-viral drugs, malaria, tuberculosis
• Solve our Energy Problems– Sustainable Energy Sources: Solar, nuclear energy– Fuel Cells for Transportation (H2, CH4 and CH3OH)
• Clean the Environment– Materials from Renewable or Recycled Resources– Environmentally Benign Pesticides and Fertilizers
• Deter Terrorism – Sensors to Detect Biological and Chemical Warfare
Agents• Your Problem here