Multiscale tuning of interfaces and surfaces for energy applications

这项提案的目的是在英国能源生产和传输先进材料中心建立一个核心活动，与国家能源工程超级联盟保持一致。我们期望成为构成整个中心活动的三个核心之一，并期望在提供这样一个中心方面发挥重要作用。在这里，我们围绕能源材料应用的许多表现形式中最关键的元素，即活性元素之间的接口来构建我们的案例。在决定任何能源材料应用的功能方面，活性组分之间的界面和表面通常是非常重要的。例如，决定大多数电化学系统性能和寿命的关键区域通常位于电极/电解质界面的电极侧。该提案分为三个部分：(1)核心内的平台研究（60%）；(2)与核心以外的大学和行业合作伙伴进行合作研究的灵活资金（30%），我们将利用这些资金通过注入和概念验证研究来建立能力。第三，这将通过(3)网络和外展（10%）的互动和合作得到强有力的支持。该小组不仅在广泛的能源材料领域提供强大的专业知识，而且还以高度互补的方式汇集了不同的技能和学科，以解决能源材料领域令人兴奋的研究挑战。

The aim of this proposal is to establish a Core Activity within the UK Centre for Advanced Materials for Energy Generation and Transmission along the lines of the national Supergen Consortia in Energy Engineering. We anticipate being one of three Cores comprising an overall Centre activity and expect to play an important role in delivering such a Centre. Here, we build our case around the most critical element in many manifestations of Energy Materials applications, the interfaces between the active elements. The interface between active components and, indeed, the surface are usually of great importance in determining the functionality of any energy materials application. For example, the critical region determining the performance and lifetime of most electrochemical systems is normally at the electrode side of the electrode/electrolyte interface.The proposal is split into three components: (1) Platform Research within the Core (60%); (2) Flexible Funding for collaborative research with University & Industry Partners outside the Core (30%), using which we will seek to build up capability through pump-priming and proof of concept studies. Thirdly, this will be strongly supported through interactions and collaborations through (3) Networking and Outreach (10%). The grouping not only offers strong expertise in a broad range of Energy Materials, but also brings together diverse skills and disciplines in a highly complementary manner to address exciting research challenges at Energy Materials interfaces.