We are delighted to announce the continuation of our fortnightly webinar series.
Please join us on Friday (29th May) @1400 for an insightful talk by Prof Magdalena Titirici the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London.
Title: Towards a more sustainable energy materials future
Abstract: Advanced materials are 17% of UK GDP with a £170 billion annual turnover. However, the way UK currently sources and processes advanced materials is based on unsustainable practices. It includes the use of fossil fuel precursors emitting around 47% of the total CO2 in the UK, along with scarce and geologically hindered raw materials. It was estimated that roughly 50% of the global CO2emissions come from resource extractions while being also responsible for 80% global biodiversity loss according to the UN. Renewable bio-based resources processed into functional materials for modern technology-dependent economy will offer the much-needed transition to a sustainable society. This will lower CO2 emissions, helping UK to reach the targeted zero emissions by 2050 while generating high value advanced materials and boosting high-performance technologies.
Materials sustainability is particularly important when building future energy storage and conversion technologies. Such energy technologies are crucial to ensure the transition towards a zero emissions society but are relying heavily on materials. We must therefore address the fine balance between the development of emerging energy technologies and the materials we use to build them. Today, scarce metals are the most important components of energy storage and conversion systems. Cobalt and graphite are in the cathodes and anodes of Li-ion batteries. With the accelerated development of Li-ion battery technologies, there is a huge demand not only for Cobalt and graphite but also for Li itself, which is geographically confined to Bolivia Chile and Argentina. Hence, we need innovative energy storage technologies beyond Li. Iridium and Platinum are the catalysts of choice for H2 production from water and its utilization in fuel cells to generate clean electricity. The current available supply for these metals cannot sustain the expansion of such technologies at a global scale. We need alternative electrocatalysts and sources for H2 production and H2 use in fuel cells. Gallium, Tellurium, Indium are used in solar cells and photocatalytic systems for solar fuel production. These materials are scarce, and alternatives must be sought for the next generation of solar panels and photocatalytic systems.
In this talk I will present some of our innovations in the design of sustainable materials to be efficiently utilized in energy storage and conversion technologies. Examples will range from efficient and sustainable batteries beyond Li to alternative catalysts to Pt for fuel cell’s cathodes as well as alternative biowaste sources to water for the production of affordable and clean H2. A new family of photoactive nanomaterials made from biomass, i.e carbon dots, will also be discussed for potential use in solar H2 production.
To register, please follow this link.
As we all adjust to social distancing in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the STFC Batteries Network is taking steps to stay connected through online engagement with an expanded webinar programme. If you have any suggestions for us or if we can offer you any specific assistance, please let us know.