Nanostructures for Energy and Sustainability

Speaker: Prof. Amor Abdelkader, Prof. of Advanced Materials at the University of Bournemouth and Director at AC Super

Abstract

Many interesting functional properties of materials are only observed when they are in the nanoscale range. However, it is a challenge to assemble these into systems and materials whereby these properties are effectively translated to the macroscale or larger. The talk covers our effort to bring the fantastic properties of nanomaterials into engineering energy materials that can help reduce carbon emissions. I will report on the production of nanomaterials using several new green technologies that can meet industrial requirements without harming the environment. I will then talk about how nanomaterials can be used as building blocks to fabricate structures suitable for batteries, supercapacitors, water remediation, and materials recovery. I will then provide an update on an ongoing effort to scale up the production of the electrodes using several printing and deposition techniques. Finally, I will finish my talk by presenting the perspectives of nanomaterials energy-based devices, focusing on weaknesses and strengths against industry requirements and opportunities. 

Biography

Amor M. Abdelkader received his PhD degree (2011) in Materials Science and Metallurgy from the University of Cambridge supervised by Professor Derek J Fray, FRS. He then moved to study self-healing materials with Professor Sybrand van der Zwaag at the Delft University of Technology. In 2012, he Joined the school of materials at the University of Manchester to work in the graphene technologies. He then moved to the National Graphene Institute to work with Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov (a Nobel laureate in physics). Amor returned to Cambridge in 2016 where he was working with Professor Andrea C. Ferrari at the Cambridge Graphene Centre. In 2017, Amor was appointed as a professor of advanced materials at Bournemouth University. Amor is also a research fellow and visiting academic at the University of Cambridge, TUDelft, Northeastern University, and City University of Hong Kong. He has published over 70 papers, 20 patents, and 1 book chapter. His research activities cover a broad spectrum of materials topics ranging from newly discovered nanomaterials to traditional engineering materials such as alloys and ceramics. He also has a keen interest in carbon dioxide sequestration.

Zoom link to register: https://eng-cam.zoom.us/j/82170255228.