Nanoscale phenomena at surfaces and interfaces play an essential role in the performance of many renewable energy harvesting and energy storage devices. Rapid advances in experimental techniques (functional scanning probe microscopy, NMR, X-ray diffraction/scattering, electron microscopy, …) are currently enabling the characterization, understanding, and performance optimization of new next generation energy conversion and energy storage materials. This symposium focuses on these experimental advances, and how they are being used in research fields including photovoltaics, batteries, fuel cells, super-capacitors, as well as piezoelectric and thermoelectric energy harvesting materials.

Our aim is to bring together the scientists who develop and use these techniques to characterize energy conversion and storage materials across different application spaces. The symposium should lead to an exchange of knowledge on the properties of energy-related materials, as well as new characterization techniques. In particular, we hope to stimulate the development and dissemination of new methods for the characterization of nanoscale phenomena in energy-related materials. Such methods might include, for example, in operando studies, correlative and multi-modal microscopies, advances in machine learning and automated experimentation, or new modalities such as time-resolved methods of SPM and advanced modes combining nano-mechanical and potentiometric imaging capabilities. We expect that the interdisciplinary nature of this symposium will attract strong participation from both academia and industry in the multidisciplinary environment of MRS meetings.

electrical properties photoconductivity piezoresponse scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning probe microscopy (SPM)