14th International Ceramics Congress
Plenary Lectures

C:PL1 Fueling Human Progress with Sunlight
H. ATWATER, Howard Hughes Professor and Professor of Applied Physics and Materials Science; Director, Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA

The recent rapid, global growth of solar photovoltaics has moved scientific research frontiers for solar energy conversion towards new opportunities such as i) ultrahigh efficiency (η = 30-50% and beyond) photovoltaics and ii) direct synthesis of energy-dense chemical fuels from solar energy, including hydrogen and products from reduction of carbon dioxide. I will illustrate several examples of how photonic design combined with material synthesis advances can enable progress in each of these areas. Photonic design with highly luminescent semiconductors has opened new directions for ultrahigh efficiency photovoltaics. Semiconductors coupled to water oxidation and reduction catalysts have enabled approaches to stable, >10% efficiency solar-to-hydrogen generation using artificial photosynthetic structures.  Present work and future directions in electrocatalytic and photocatalytic materials for artificial photosynthesis aimed at catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide will also be discussed. 


C:PL2 Advanced Ceramics for Energy Systems and Environmental Technology
A. MICHAELIS, Fraunhofer Institute of Ceramic Technologies and Systems, IKTS, Dresden, Germany

Advanced ceramic materials and manufacturing technologies offer enormous potential for innovations in the fields of efficient energy conversion and storage as well as environmental technology. The joint application of structural and functional ceramic technology allows for unique combination of electronic, ionic (electrochemical) and mechanical properties enabling the development of new, highly integrated systems. We present specific examples for Fuel Cell, Li-Ion and high temperature NaNiCl batteries as well as ceramic membrane filtration systems. As a first example, high temperature SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) and MCFC (molten carbonate fuel cell) systems development for both mobile and stationary applications in different power ranges (1 W to several MW) is presented. As a second focus the development of new Li-Ion batteries for mobile applications and high temperature NaNiCl batteries for stationary applications is covered. In the case of Li-Ion batteries new approaches such as biplor and solid state batteries are emphasized. The production of both, power generation and storage systems require new approaches for non-destructive in line testing methods which are discussed as well. For the illustration of the potential of advanced ceramic materials in environmental technology, ceramic membrane systems are discussed. Ceramic membranes can be used for micro-, ultra- or nano- filtration of liquids, e.g. for the treatment of industrial waste water. Further innovations require an improved control and reduction of pore size. This allows for new applications in gas separation and pervaporation. For this, pores sizes below 1 nm have to be generated using specific structural features of selected materials. Several new methods for preparation of such nano-porous membranes are presented.