This guest blog is written by professor Carita Kvarnström. Carita is a Professor of Chemistry of Materials for Sustainable Development, and group leader of the Materials Chemistry Group at the University of Turku.

Developing new materials can solve many challenges related to energy

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires a full transition to clean and renewable energy, which is challenging from several aspects. Solving the challenges related to climate change is not simple, although the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stated that “almost every nation has enough sun, wind, or water to become energy self-sufficient”.

Renewable energy needs storage, the sun is not always shining, and the wind not always blowing. Many problems can be solved by developing new materials that improve the efficiency of energy production and energy storage. Unfortunately, research and development of new energy materials are not as progressive as needed to meet the demands of climate change.

AI can accelerate the development of energy materials

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in the design and identification of new potential energy storage materials will, in the future, contribute to faster development. Another factor for enhancing the progress is to increase the education and know-how of how to find and prepare new materials.

Intensifying collaboration among industry, research institutions, and universities is also crucial, as it allows for the effective utilization and integration of the distinct knowledge and skills characteristic of each entity.

Different applications require different materials

Energy storage materials and technologies are considered key tools for achieving global climate targets alongside renewable generation. One of the goals is to reduce the need for scarce mineral resources and develop recyclable and environmentally friendly materials. Different applications need different materials. No single battery chemistry works best for everything: phones need high energy density, power grids need low cost and long life, aircraft may need ultra-light materials, wearables need flexible batteries.

Future technologies may require breakthroughs like AI data centers, electric aviation, robotics, and long-duration storage that will dramatically increase electricity demand and the need for efficient energy storage. New materials could unlock multi-day grid storage, safer ultra-fast charging, higher energy densities, and lower environmental impact.

Update your knowledge and be a part of the change

Energy storage materials are at the center of clean energy, transportation, grid reliability, and future technological growth. If you feel like contributing to accelerating the development of new energy materials and spreading the knowledge about them, have a look at the FITech Energy Storage materials courses.

Just dive into the properties and possible applications of new functional materials by having a look at the courses dealing with functional materials and characterization of energy materials. These courses can be accomplished by self-studies with the help of online course materials and can be started all year round. It is recommended to study the courses related to functional materials in the order shown below. The course about characterization can be studied before or after these courses.

Explore the courses:

Written by Carita Kvarnström, professor, University of Turku.