Complex and nanostructured materials for energy applications

During the period 22nd-26th June 2008, we are running a conference on "Complex and nanostructured materials for energy applications", on the campus of Michigan state University.The conference information is at

http://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/CND/ConferenceSummer2008.html

Registration is now open and if a student presents a poster, his/her registration fee is waived. Space is limited so please sign up early.

Phil Duxbury
Michael Mackay

Topics include :
- Electrode materials
- Electrolytes and conducting polymers
- Charge transfer complexes for improved solar cells
- High ZT thermoelectric materials
- Nanostructures for improved thermoelectrics
- Bulk heterostructures for improved solar cells
- Electrode nanostructure for batteries and fuel cells
- Characterization of atomic structure
- Synthesis and self-assembly methods
- Semiconducting and dielectric nanoparticles
- Multiexciton generation and charge extraction from nanoparticles
- Transport properties
- Atomistic models and calculations
- Mesoscale and continuum models
- Theoretical limits on device performance
- Device design and device simulations
- Novel materials and architectures for batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, thermoelectric devices and solar cells

Materials which have complex ternary atomic structures and which are also nanostructured at length scales 1nm -1micron have the potential to cause a paradigm shift in technologies for energy generation, storage and recovery. For example thin film solar cells based on nanoparticles of the ternary CIGS (Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenium) are starting to be delivered and it is believed that eventually the manufacturing cost of 12% efficient solar modules at around $1.30/Watt is feasable. Nanostructured battery electrodes, including nanotubes and complex oxides show promise for significantly improved storage, charge rate and cost. There are further suggestions that marked improvements in supercapacitors are possible through use of nanostructured materials. Thermoelectric materials are also poised for significant penetration in the commodity market, with complex ternaries such as LAST (lead, antimony, silver, tellurium), with nanodomains, exhibiting high values of ZT at temperatures compatable with energy recovery from automobile tailpipes. This conference focuses upon the fundamental materials chemistry, physics and engineering of these and other promising materials for energy applications. Design and fabrication of novel devices will also be discussed.