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