Materials and Nanotechnology for Energy and Sustainability address the urgent global need for efficient, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy solutions through advanced material innovation. This session explores how engineered materials and nanoscale technologies enable improved energy generation, storage, conversion, and conservation while reducing environmental impact. By tailoring material structure and functionality, researchers develop systems that support renewable energy integration, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability goals.

Energy technologies increasingly depend on material performance at micro- and nanoscales. Nanostructured materials offer high surface area, tunable electronic properties, and enhanced catalytic activity, all of which are critical for improving efficiency in energy systems. Advances in this field support next-generation batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, and catalytic processes. As sustainability-driven research accelerates, Materials Science Conference platforms highlight energy-focused materials as central to addressing climate and resource challenges.

A key focus of the session is material design for renewable energy technologies. Engineered semiconductors and nanostructured absorbers enhance light harvesting and charge transport in photovoltaic systems. In energy storage, tailored electrode materials improve capacity, stability, and charging speed. These innovations enable scalable and resilient energy infrastructure. Closely related to these advances is Sustainable Energy Materials, which emphasize long lifecycle performance, reduced environmental footprint, and compatibility with circular economy principles.

The session also examines materials for energy conversion and efficiency. Catalytic materials facilitate efficient chemical transformations for hydrogen production, carbon capture, and fuel synthesis. Thermoelectric and phase-change materials enable recovery and management of waste heat. Understanding structure–property relationships allows optimization of these materials for specific operating conditions and system requirements.

Characterization, modeling, and system integration are essential for advancing energy materials. Advanced analytical tools provide insight into degradation mechanisms, interfacial behavior, and long-term stability. Computational approaches complement experiments by guiding material selection and predicting performance under realistic conditions. Integration of materials into functional devices and systems ensures that laboratory innovations translate into deployable technologies.

Sustainability considerations extend beyond performance to include resource availability, recyclability, and environmental impact. The session addresses strategies for reducing reliance on critical raw materials, improving recyclability, and designing materials for extended service life. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, Materials and Nanotechnology for Energy and Sustainability continue to drive progress toward cleaner, more efficient, and resilient energy systems.