Skip to main content

Scientific Image - Silicon Nanowire

Magnified image of a silicon nanowire using a Transmission Electron Microscope.

DESCRIPTION

This transmission electron microscope image shows a single silicon nanowire. Thermoelectric materials convert heat to electricity and vice versa. Most fossil-fuel-powered engines generate waste heat, so researchers are using nanotechnologies to explore ways of making thermoelectric devices more efficient in order to convert that waste heat to usable power—and thus save energy. • SIZE: The diameter of this nanowire is approximately 100 nm. • IMAGING TOOL: Transmission electron microscope

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES

DESCRIPTION

This transmission electron microscope image shows a single silicon nanowire. Thermoelectric materials convert heat to electricity and vice versa. Most fossil-fuel-powered engines generate waste heat, so researchers are using nanotechnologies to explore ways of making thermoelectric devices more efficient in order to convert that waste heat to usable power—and thus save energy. • SIZE: The diameter of this nanowire is approximately 100 nm. • IMAGING TOOL: Transmission electron microscope

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES

OBJECTIVES

NANO CONTENT MAP

Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do.

Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren't possible before.

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2014
OWNING INSTITUTION

Renkun Chen, University of California at Berkeley - Attribution is required. The creator listed here has made this image available to NISE Network partners for non-profit educational use only. Uses may include but are not limited to reproduction and distribution of copies, creation of derivative works, and combination with other assets to create exhibitions, programs, publications, research, and websites.

PERMISSIONS

The creator listed above has made this image available to NISE Network partners for non-profit educational use only. Uses may include but are not limited to reproduction and distribution of copies, creation of derivative works, and combination with other assets to create exhibitions, programs, publications, research, and websites.