Nanostructured Energy Conversion Technology and Research
(NECTAR)

Organization
University of California, Santa Cruz, Jack Baskin School of Engineering

Project Leader
Nobuhiko P. Kobayashi

Summary
The Nanostructured Energy Conversion Technology and Research (NECTAR) laboratory conducts fundamental research to develop next-generation energy sources using nanoscale materials and technologies. This work is vitally important in providing the resources needed to drive just about every aspect of the rapidly emerging global economy. In addition, it directly supports critical, NASA-specific mission needs for ultra-small, low-cost, high-reliability energy sources to power the nation’s space exploration vehicles, from human spacecraft to extraplanetary probes.

Project Description
The NECTAR team has long pioneered research using optical and electrical characterization of nanostructured materials. They are now investigating the physicochemistry fundamental to fabrication of high-efficiency, reliable, cost-effective, solid-state devices that convert light and heat energy sources into useful electrical power. NECTAR researchers are also working to synthesize and characterize advanced nanocomposite materials and related nanostructures to develop innovative routes for producing high-quality, single-crystal functional materials on low-cost, non-single-crystal platforms.

One important NECTAR research goal is to optimize the formation of nanocomposites where nanometer-scale functional structures are assembled within a micrometer-scale platform. Such assemblies can generate high-energy-conversion efficiencies at low manufacturing costs in prototype photovoltaic and thermoelectric-conversion devices. This research has the potential to deliver economically realistic and environmentally responsible alternatives to current fossil fuel and nuclear power energy sources.

The successful conduct of NECTAR research requires a wide range of scientific and technical expertise, encompassing chemistry, physics, materials science, and the design and construction of semiconductor devices implemented at the nanometer scale. The active interchange and intellectual environment offered by the ASL, including cooperative access to shared-resource expertise and facilities, is particularly beneficial to the NECTAR team as it is to other affiliate organizations.

Sponsored by the University of California, Santa Cruz’s Jack Baskin School of Engineering, NECTAR currently receives funding support from Hewlett-Packard, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

UCSC’s Nobuhiko ‘Nobby’ Kobayashi is the lead for the NECTAR team.

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