A clean sustainable energy system is paramount for an environmentally friendly fossil-fuel free future. The challenge is efficient storage and conversion of renewable energy, which is the exact focus of the present project, FunHy. The realization of this scenario calls for a paradigm shift in design and development of novel energy materials towards rational design and preparation of new functional materials.
The ambition of this project is to conduct cutting-edge international research on the design and preparation of novel functional materials based on advanced characterization using neutron scattering. Hydrides form large varieties of different types of materials and we target: i) metal hydrides for hydrogen storage and ii) metal hydrides which are new fast ion conductors for batteries and iii) hydrides with novel magnetic properties.
Secondly, we aim at integrating a range of neutron scattering techniques for advanced materials characterisation: i) Elastic neutron scattering, including in situ powder neutron diffraction (PND) at varying temperature and pressures and high-resolution PND for investigation of complex crystal structures, ii) total neutron scattering and PDF analysis iii) inelastic and quasi-elastic neutron scattering (INS and QENS) for probing dynamic properties. Neutron scattering combined with other techniques will provide new fundamental scientific insights into new material structure-property relationships.
Our goal is to develop novel useful functional materials towards rational material design.
This project is conducted within a strong Nordic and international research network and offers the highest level of energy materials science education for 3 PhDs directly funded, and a high number of Bachelor, Master and associated PhD students. An open Nordic research meeting will be organised with the aim to gather Nordic experts, start new collaborations and share our knowledge. This project will establish new broad long-lasting Nordic research networks and collaboration within neutrons for materials science.
