Prof. Nilgun Karatepe Yavuz, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey

Dr. Nilgun Karatepe Yavuz is a chemical engineer. She received the M.Sc. degree and PhD degree in chemical engineering, from Istanbul Technical University. Between 1992-2006 she worked at Chemical Engineering Department of Istanbul Technical University. Since then she has been with Renewable Energy Division of Energy Institute of Istanbul Technical University, Turkey, where at present she is professor. Her current research interests are carbon nanotube synthesis and applications; activated carbon technologies; solar cells: organic and perovskite solar cells, energy storage: Li-ion and air batteries, supercapacitors; hydrogen energy: production, storage and conversion technologies; energy, environment and adsorption. She has many journal and conference publications on these topics.
Speech Title: Solid-State Batteries : Fundamentals and Challenges
Abstract: Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have attracted enormous attention as one of the critical future technologies due to the probability to realize higher energy density and superior safety performance compared with the state-of-the-art lithium ion batteries. As the key component in SSBs, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with non-flammability and good adaptability to lithium metal anodes have attracted extensive attention in recent years. However, there are still intimidating challenges for developing low cost and industrially scalable solid-state batteries with high energy density and stable cycling life for large-scale energy storage and electric vehicle applications. This presentation offers an overview on the scientific challenges, fundamental mechanisms, and specifically focusing on the stability issues of solid-state electrolytes and the associated interfaces with both cathode and anode electrodes. Following the obtained insights, perspectives are given in the end on how to design practically accessible solid-state batteries in the future.

Prof. Victoria Laura Barrio, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Spain

Industrial engineer and doctorate at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU in 2002, where she received her PhD. She was a Postdoctoral researcher in the Engler-Bunte-Institut at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (2003-2004). Current research fields are catalytic processes focused on advanced reaction systems for hydrogen production from renewable sources and CO2 valorisation, hydrogen storage and LCA analysis. Including development of thermal- and photo- catalytic processes for the production of high value-added products like methanol from wastes and biofuels and design of advanced reaction systems incorporating microreactors and membranes applied to the mentioned processes. Scientific Coordinator for the ongoing European project UnLOHCked and Partner of the ongoing European SherLOHCk project.
Speech Title: H2 as Energy Vector: Transport and Storage
Abstract: Global warming, normally caused by the increasing consumption of fossil fuels, has been a huge environmental problem. Currently, the use of energy from renewable sources is proposed to be the key to mitigate the environmental problems derived from energy demand. However, these resources need of storage systems able to smooth fluctuations. Green hydrogen is considered to be a promising energy carrier due to its properties like free-CO2 combustion and high gravimetric energy density. The main challenge is related to its low energy density, as the molar volume of hydrogen at standard conditions is very large. To date, many physical and chemical hydrogen storage techniques have been investigated. They all target to increase the volumetric energy content without compromising gravimetric energy density. Conventional hydrogen storage techniques include compression and liquefaction; however, these technologies offer only limited benefits due to safety concerns: low storage density, boil-off losses, and relatively high cost. Hydrogen conversion into another chemical substance can help to overcome many of the disadvantages mentioned. From this perspective, the use of carriers with a reversible conversion and recovering the hydrogen can be a promising solution.