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Nature 414, 332-337 (15 November 2001) | doi:10.1038/35104599

Open Innovation Challenges

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overview Alternative energy technologies

M. S. Dresselhaus1 & I. L. Thomas2

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Fossil fuels currently supply most of the world's energy needs, and however unacceptable their long-term consequences, the supplies are likely to remain adequate for the next few generations. Scientists and policy makers must make use of this period of grace to assess alternative sources of energy and determine what is scientifically possible, environmentally acceptable and technologically promising.