The Electricity Innovation Institute said it would this year award grants totalling up to $500,000 (£280,000) to academic institutions for research into applications of nanotechnology to the electric power system.
Proposals should look at ways nanotechnology could upgrade the current electric system beyond its present capabilities, including the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. Areas could include energy storage, CO2 sequestration, catalysts and membrane materials for fuel cells and photovoltaics, capture of air toxics, remediation of fossil and nuclear waste, development of novel sensors and high current tables (superconductors or quantum conductors).
The institute will accept submissions from faculty members and research organisations affiliated with academic institutions until 15 June 2004. The maximum grant for a 12-month period will be $100,000 (£56,000).
For more information, visit www.e2i.org.