Save the Date

February 16-20, 2014 | Hilton Clearwater Hotel Clearwater, Florida USA

MCARE 2014 facilitates information sharing on the latest developments involving materials for alternative and renewable energy systems. Abstract submissions will open April 15, 2013.

Batteries and Energy Storage
Batteries are devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy. There are many types of batteries available, representing a multi-billion dollar industry. Among the battery types of much interest are standard lead acid batteries and Li-ion batteries. Materials improvements are critical in making these energy systems more effective in the future. The Batteries track will explore novel energy storage materials and technologies.

Biomass

Biomass is energy derived from organic plant and animal matter, including wood, crops, manure and municipal solid wastes. When burned, the energy in biomass is released as heat but it can also be converted to other forms of energy like methane gas, ethanol and biodiesel. The Biomass track will deal with bioprocess development along with materials challenges.

Electric Grid

The Electric Grid is an interconnected network designed to deliver electricity from various energy sources, and involves controlling the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The grid cannot store significant amounts of power, so electricity must be generated as needed. This track will spotlight the development of efficient and effective control systems to match electric generation with use.

Geothermal

Most geothermal reservoirs are deep underground but can find their way to the surface as volcanoes, hot springs and geysers. California has almost three dozen geothermal power plants that produce the largest fraction of U.S. energy from this source. The Geothermal track explores geothermal systems and applications.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources, including fossil fuels as well as from renewable resources and can be stored in gas, liquid or solid forms. There is considerable work in progress on development of materials and systems for effective hydrogen storage. The Hydrogen track will focus on H-separations, H-interactions and effects on materials; new methods and novel materials for H-Storage; theoretical studies of H-storage materials and additional practical use in energy storage systems; absorption, catalysis and means of enhancing H-interaction with materials; and analytical methods and characteristics of novel hydrogen storage systems.

Hydropower

Hydropower is the most often used form of renewable energy in the U.S. Mechanical energy is produced and used by harnessing moving water. The Hydropower track will explore material challenges for conventional and marine hydropower.

Materials Availability for Alternative Energy

Tying all of the alternative energy technologies together is the availability of the materials needed to solve the issues for creating, storage and distribution of energy. This track will focus on challenges and solutions in materials availability as we develop our new and sustainable energy infrastructure.

Nanocomposites and Nanomaterials for Energy

There has been a tremendous increase in the use of nanocomposite materials to improve the existing energy systems based on conventional and renewable energy sources. This track will focus on the possibilities and limitations of the use of nanomaterials in providing solutions for the current energy issues in solar cells, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and more.

Nuclear

Nuclear power extracts usable energy from atomic nuclei by controlled nuclear reactions and most often, through nuclear fission. This track will focus on improved and advanced materials systems for fuel and nuclear power plant components.

Solar Fuels

Direct production of fuels from solar energy represents the most prominent and promising avenue for sustainable energy solutions derived from regenerative primary energy sources. The conversion of light into electrical or storable chemical energy can be achieved by photovoltaics (PVs) and photoelectrochemical
systems, respectively. This track will address science and technology of energy harvesting modules based on photonic stimulation of semiconductor materials, including novel structures for solar thermal, solar hydrogen, and artificial photosynthesis.

Wind

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electrical power or windmills for mechanical power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, wind power in the United States has grown to over 50,000 MW, enough electricity to power 13 million homes annually. This track will explore current and emerging materials and technologies in this growing energy system.

MCARE 2014 Program Co-Chairs

H.T. Lin, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Sanjay Mathur, University of Cologne

Ragaiy Zidan, Savannah River National Laboratory

MCARE Founders and MCARE 2014 Advisory Program Co-Chairs

George Wicks

Jack Simon