KEPLER PRIZE 2012

New (Nano-) Materials in Energy Technology

Overview

The 2012 edition of the Kepler Prize recognised an interdisciplinary European team working on innovative materials and technologies for sustainable energy production, storage, and conversion.

The workshop explored advanced nanomaterials, photocatalytic systems, fuel cells, hydrogen and oxygen permeation membranes, and CO₂ conversion technologies aimed at addressing global energy and environmental challenges. 

Workshop Objectives

The workshop aimed to:

• encourage scientific cooperation on future energy solutions and CO₂ reduction strategies.
• promote interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable energy technologies;
• explore innovative materials for energy conversion and storage;
• foster discussion on eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel systems;

Main Topics

• Photocatalytic materials and solar energy harvesting
• CO₂ conversion technologies
• Sustainable fuel production
• Solid oxide fuel cells
• Nanostructured electrodes and electrocatalysts
• Hydrogen and oxygen permeation membranes
• Advanced materials for energy systems

Organisation

Hosted in Karlsruhe (Germany), the workshop was organised in cooperation with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the State of Baden-Württemberg.

Scientific Vision

The workshop provided an international interdisciplinary forum for discussing the future of sustainable energy systems and advanced energy materials, bringing together researchers from multiple scientific disciplines to address global technological and environmental challenges.