Symposium Co-Chairs

Thomas Soczka-Guth, Daimler AG, Germany, thomas.soczka-guth@daimler.com
Eileen Yu, Newcastle University, UK, eileen.yu@ncl.ac.uk 

Interest in fuel cells has grown at a rapid pace in recent years for a number of reasons, including their low environmental emissions and high energy conversion efficiencies. While considerable technical progress has been made, significant challenges remain which must be overcome before fuel cell-based power systems can be commercially viable. Coatings and coating techniques may play a major role in overcoming some of the major materials-related challenges. For example, many solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) developers are using high temperature oxidation-resistant alloys as interconnect materials, which may require protective coatings to reduce oxidation kinetics and improve electrical performance over the lifetime of the stack. Coatings may also play a role in improving the strength and chemical stability of seal-interconnect and/or seal-electrolyte interfaces. Fabrication techniques typically used for coatings can also be used for the fabrication of cell components, such as thin electrolyte membranes, electrodes, and interfacial layers. For PEM fuel cell stacks, coatings may improve the performance of steel interconnects by improving corrosion resistance and stabilizing electrical conductivity. The rapid development of biological fuel cells using microorganisms and enzymes as biocatalysts provides new approaches of generating electricity from waste, biomass and even human body fluids for applications from wastewater treatment to health care devices. Coating in biological fuel cells may provide immobilization method for biocatalysts, and improve the stability and activity of biocatalysts, as well as improve the biocompatibility of electrode substrates.  

High performances batteries and super-/ultracaps are used in broad variety of applications. Rrechargeable batteries have attracted more attention recently particularly from industry because of their high energy density. There is a growing demand for the stabilization of electric grids, back-up power and the hybridization of any kind of drive trains. Though we can already observe the emerging of a new market in high performance electric storage systems, many technologies are still under development. In particular the challenges to develop batteries viable for commercialization with high energy density, low self discharge, safety, reliability, lifetime and low cost. The application of novel thin-film materials, such as grapheme, and inorganic or polymer electrolytes in the batteries could lead to a breakthrough in battery development.  

This forum welcomes contributions from technology providers and scientists from industry, research institutions and universities who are investigating materials and the application of coatings to fuel cell and battery technology. 

Invited Speakers - TBA

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Technical Symposia:

A. Coatings for Use at High Temperature

B. Hard Coatings and Vapor Deposition Technology

C.Fundamentals and Technology of Multifunctional Thin Films

D. Biomedical Coatings

E. Tribology and Mechanical Behavior of Coatings and Thin Films

F. New Horizons in Coatings and Thin Films

G. Applications, Manufacturing, and Equipment

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Tutorial Sessions:

TS1. Computational & Experimental Studies of Thin Film Growth: An Atomistic View

TS2. Coatings for Fuel Cells & Batteries

TS3. Surface Engineering for Thermal Transport, Storage and Harvesting

TS4. Characterization: Linking Synthesis, Properties and Microstructure

TS5. Energetic Materials and Micro-Structures for Nanomanufacturing