The growing demands of energy consumptions in various aspects of the society require the development of novel electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices that can operate under different environments. For example, the batteries in space and deep ocean exploration will necessitate the corresponding energy storage materials to perform at high temperatures or below freezing point, and be able to charge at high electric currents (i.e., fast charging). The use of medical devices on and inside human bodies need the energy supply materials to be stretchable and flexible. The inorganic/organic interfaces play important roles in such electrochemical systems in (bio)medical environments. In addition, power systems in national defense and munitions have to be small, conformal and easy to pack. New requirements are posed for energy materials with special physical, chemical and mechanical properties that can work in extreme environments.

Therefore, urgent problems need to be addressed for electrochemical energy materials working in a wide variety of conditions. It is the purpose of this symposium to discuss such challenges and opportunities and to bridge expertise in academia research and industrial applications from advanced energy storage systems as well as catalysts in harsh electrochemical and biological environments, to energy devices beyond conventional applications. Particular attention will be paid to developing and exploring materials that are functional in (bio)medical conditions, and are critical in defense, security and aerospace applications. Also of interest are the future directions for innovative multimodal in-situ and in-operando techniques to study energy materials in such complicated configurations. This symposium will benefit materials scientists from various backgrounds, and will help encourage the implementation of rational design, smart control and advanced characterization approaches to solve the needed problems in these fields.

biological catalytic ceramic energy storage phase transformation reactivity sensor surface chemistry