Author Description

Most of today's energy needs are met by fossil fuels (finite reserves), but these fuels may be abandoned much sooner if clean and renewable energy sources can provide a more attractive alternative-both environmentally and economically. The main problem with energy conversion and storage technologies, however, continues to be device efficiency. Projects based on nanoscale-range materials offer new or improved technologies in devices involving electrochemical reactions and heterogeneous catalysis, such as fuel and solar cells, batteries, etc. Nanoscale structures dramatically alter surface reaction rates and electrical transport throughout the material, causing dramatic improvement in energy storage, conversion and generation. In addition, the design of nanoscale materials for alternative energy devices is a predictable way to develop a wide range of new technologies for a healthy future. This volume from the Materials Research Society addresses relevant electrochemical and catalytic properties of nanomaterials-materials with nano-architecture-in order to improve the performance of alternative energy devices. Topics include: lithium-ion batteries; solar cells; fuel cells; and hydrogen storage devices. Focus is on synthesis, characterization and use.