Harnessing Neutrino Energy for a Sustainable Future

Abstract

There is a growing need for sustainable forms of renewable energy sources that are efficient, and cost-beneficial. Finding such energy sources is one of the critical challenges of the 21st century. This paper focuses on the prospects of using high energy particles abundant in the universe as a solution to the energy crisis faced around the world. The high energy particle studied in this paper is the neutrino.

Neutrinos are subatomic particles that are one-millionth the size of an electron (“How much does a neutrino weigh”, n.d). They are of interest to physicists because they are present virtually everywhere, travel through regular forms of matter, and have exceptionally high energy levels (“What is a Neutrino”, 1999). Neutrinos have ten billion electron volts when traveling freely across space, which is enough energy to break up the nucleus of an atom (“Neutrino Energies”, n.d). Due to their high energy levels and eternal presence, neutrinos are a promising candidate for a renewable energy source. However, due to minimal reactions with other forms of matter, it is difficult to harness their intrinsic energies. A panel that is capable of absorbing neutrinos can potentially produce substantial amounts of heat energy, which can then be converted into electricity. 

Energy from neutrinos is a great theoretical alternative and a clean source of energy for our planet and future generations to come. This paper takes another step forward in the mission to produce a primary source of energy that is green and sustainable for our planet.