Nanotech Startups Eye Solar Energy Spotlight; Big Advances Possible; This emerging tech field claims some advantages as green-power provider.(INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY)

Byline: J. BONASIA

Never-ending quests to harness the power of the sun are heating up.

With crude oil prices hovering near record highs, some cutting-edge startup companies are seeking new sources of solar energy based on breakthroughs that use nanotechnology.

Nanotech is a fast-growing field that combines physics and chemistry to create products manufactured on an atomic scale. One nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.

Many materials and processes display unique traits at such tiny sizes. Some nanotech consumer goods already on the market include clear sunscreen lotions and stain-free fabrics. Nanotech also is used to make computer chips …