Research line
Materials for energy
Energy conversion and storage depend on materials whose behaviour at surfaces and interfaces is understood, not just observed.
Why it matters
A catalyst, a battery electrode or a photovoltaic absorber is only as good as the material interface at which it works. Small changes in composition, structure or surface chemistry can shift performance by a large margin. Understanding why is the difference between a lucky formulation and a design method.
How we approach it
We make and characterise thin films, porous solids and nanostructured materials, then use simulation to interpret what the measurements imply. Hydrogen storage, CO2 capture, catalysis and energy conversion are recurrent themes. The laboratory work ranges from sputtering and electrochemical testing to thermal analysis and nanoscale imaging.
Focus areas
- Thin films and multilayers
- Porous materials for gas adsorption
- Catalysts for CO2 and water conversion
- Hydrogen storage and release
- Electrochemical characterisation
Selected project context
The centre's materials work has appeared in projects on CO2 capture, hydrogen generation and fuel cell systems. The common thread is a material that has to perform under realistic pressure, temperature or electrochemical conditions.
Related laboratories
Work in this line draws on the following laboratory spaces. Projects may use one or several of them, depending on whether the question is computational, analytical or process based.