Our Energy Future: Resources, Alternatives And The Environment, Second Edition

This book is about ”energy” and the energy policy choices which face society. Presenting easy-to-grasp information and analysis, the book includes statistical data for energy production and consumption and simple formulas. Among the aspects considered are: science, technology, economics and the impact on health and the environment.

In this new edition we have added two new chapters on subjects which have become important since the first edition. The first one deals with unconventional fossil fuels, a resource which has become very important from the economical point of view, especially in the United States. The second added chapter presents the applications of nanotechnology in the energy domain. Nanotechnology is becoming more and more important, either in improving already existing technologies or by introducing new ones. The goal is to decrease costs and the amount of raw materials required, an important issue as far as sustainable development is concerned.

Christian Ngo, ScD, was formerly executive general manager of ECRIN (Echange et Coordination Recherche-Industrie) and scientific director of the Atomic Energy's High Commissioner Office. In 2008, he founded Edmonium Conseil, a consulting company. He has worked in fundamental research for twenty years, and has published approximately 200 papers. Dr. Ngo is the author of ten books in French and has been involved as an energy expert in several studies of the OPECST (Parliamentary Office for Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Options), a common committee of the French Parliament and Senate.

Joseph B. Natowitz, PhD, is currently University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Previously at TAMU, he served as head of the Department of Chemistry and Director of the Cyclotron Institute and held the Bright Chair in Nuclear Science. Among his awards and honors are the American Chemical Society Award in Nuclear Chemistry, the ACS Southwest Regional Award, and the Association of Former Students Research Award at TAMU. Professor Natowitz has served and continues to serve on the program advisory and/or review committees of many national and international research facilities as well as on Advisory Committees for a number of international conferences. Professor Natowitz has published more than 300 research papers.