Using science, not garlic, to fight energy vampires

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Scientists collaborating on the project will apply their expertise and research to tunnel field effect transistors and semiconducting nanowires to improve the efficient use of energy in electronics.

To explain the challenge, consider a leaky water faucet — even after closing the valve as far as possible water continues to drip — this is similar to today’s transistor, in that energy is constantly "leaking" or being lost or wasted in the off-state.

In Steeper, scientists not only hope to contain the leak by using a new method to close the valve or gate of the transistor more tightly, but also open and close the gate for maximum current flow with less turns, i.e. less voltage for maximum efficiency.

According to the International Energy Agency, electronic devices currently account for 15 percent of household electricity consumption, and energy consumed by information and communications technologies as well as consumer electronics will double by 2022 and triple by 2030 to 1,700 TWh — this is equal to entire total residential electricity consumption of the in U.S. and Japan in 2009.

Particularly wasteful is the enormous amount of standby consumption. In the European Union it is estimated that standby power already accounts for about 10 percent of the electricity use in homes and offices of the member States.

By 2020 it is expected that electricity consumption in standby/off-mode will rise to 49 TWh per year — nearly equivalent to the annual electricity consumption for Austria, Czech Republic and Portugal combined.
“Our vision is to share this research to enable manufacturers to build the Holy Grail in electronics, a computer that utilizes negligible energy when it’s in sleep mode, which we call the zero-watt PC,” said Prof. Adrian M. Ionescu, Nanolab, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, who is coordinating the project. 

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If you are interested in Green Building on an Investment Property Check out the Benton Gut Rehab Blog Series-Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172

Catch and Stop-Energy Vampires

Conserve energy and save money by unplugging unused appliances around your home. Email This Tip Unplugging unused appliances or electronic devices in the off mode is an easy way to cut down on your home's energy consumption and reduce your energy bill. These devices are called "energy" or "power vampires" because they consume energy from electrical outlets even when they are not being used or are in the off mode. Although these devices appear to be off, they continue to draw electricity from outlets to keep their circuits instantly ready for the next time they are turned on. In general, any device that has a power adapter or "power brick," or feels warm after it was been switched off for a while, is an energy vampire, including TVs, DVD players and VCRs, cable modems and rechargeable battery chargers for phones, laptops, music players and digital cameras. Individual appliances and devices only consume a few watts when not in use, but throughout a day and over an entire year, a few watts can add up to almost 20% of a home's power use. Unplugging these electronics or using an inexpensive power strip that can turn off multiple devices when not in use can significantly reduce your energy bill by $50 to $ 200 per year. Take Action / Next Steps Ready to start slaying the energy vampires in your home? Sign up for the goal on ecomii Action and track your progress. Want to learn more? Click here to read about ways you can conserve energy in your home on ecomii. To see if your appliance or electronic device is considered an energy vampire with low energy use in standby mode, check with the U.S. Department of Energy