Smart materials represent a cutting-edge field in sustainable and efficient energy solutions, distinguished by their ability to dynamically alter properties in response to external stimuli. These stimuli encompass temperature variations, mechanical stress, electromagnetic fields, light exposure, chemical environments, etc. Integrating smart materials into energy saving, storage, and conversion devices holds significant promise for revolutionizing various industries. Their responsive nature significantly influences the advancement of energy-saving technologies in areas such as smart windows, adaptive insulation, and responsive building materials. This also enhances the efficiency, reliability, and functionality of energy storage systems, such as batteries and capacitors. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of intelligent and durable energy conversion devices, including water splitting, CO2 conversion, nitrogen reduction, and others. The topic of this special issue seeks to leverage the transformative potential of smart materials to address current energy challenges and advance sustainable technological solutions.
The primary challenge in the field of smart materials for energy saving, storage, and conversion devices lies in optimizing their efficiency, durability, and scalability for practical applications. Current efforts focus on enhancing the energy saving, storage, and conversion capabilities of smart materials while maintaining cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. This involves innovative approaches in nanotechnology, biomimetic design, composite material engineering, synthesis techniques, and device integration. Recent advances include the development of new types of smart materials with improved efficiency, functionality, and intelligence. Examples include advanced piezoelectric materials for harvesting mechanical energy and electrochromic materials for smart windows that regulate heat and light transmission. Additionally, advanced energy-related systems, such as flexible batteries and supercapacitors, responsive electrolyzers, shape memory devices, etc., represent a significant step forward.
Addressing these aspects will pave the way for smart materials to play a crucial role in advancing sustainable energy technologies, offering efficient, adaptive, and environmentally friendly solutions.
The scope of our Research Topic encompasses several specific themes for contributors to explore. Key themes include but are not limited to:
• Material design and optimization: novel approaches in designing smart materials tailored for energy saving and storage applications, including characterization of their structural, mechanical, and electrical properties.
• Energy saving, storage, and conversion: innovations in utilizing smart materials for controllable energy saving in production and daily life, efficient energy conversion and storage of renewable power sources
• Integration and application: practical implementations and integration of smart materials into energy-efficient technologies for sectors like renewable energy generation, smart grids, and sustainable building materials.
• Advanced manufacturing techniques: innovations in scalable manufacturing processes for smart materials to facilitate commercial viability.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute innovative insights, experimental findings, theoretical advancements, and practical applications in the field of smart materials for energy-saving and energy-storage devices.
Keywords:
Smart, Energy-saving, Energy storage, energy conversion
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Smart materials represent a cutting-edge field in sustainable and efficient energy solutions, distinguished by their ability to dynamically alter properties in response to external stimuli. These stimuli encompass temperature variations, mechanical stress, electromagnetic fields, light exposure, chemical environments, etc. Integrating smart materials into energy saving, storage, and conversion devices holds significant promise for revolutionizing various industries. Their responsive nature significantly influences the advancement of energy-saving technologies in areas such as smart windows, adaptive insulation, and responsive building materials. This also enhances the efficiency, reliability, and functionality of energy storage systems, such as batteries and capacitors. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of intelligent and durable energy conversion devices, including water splitting, CO2 conversion, nitrogen reduction, and others. The topic of this special issue seeks to leverage the transformative potential of smart materials to address current energy challenges and advance sustainable technological solutions.
The primary challenge in the field of smart materials for energy saving, storage, and conversion devices lies in optimizing their efficiency, durability, and scalability for practical applications. Current efforts focus on enhancing the energy saving, storage, and conversion capabilities of smart materials while maintaining cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. This involves innovative approaches in nanotechnology, biomimetic design, composite material engineering, synthesis techniques, and device integration. Recent advances include the development of new types of smart materials with improved efficiency, functionality, and intelligence. Examples include advanced piezoelectric materials for harvesting mechanical energy and electrochromic materials for smart windows that regulate heat and light transmission. Additionally, advanced energy-related systems, such as flexible batteries and supercapacitors, responsive electrolyzers, shape memory devices, etc., represent a significant step forward.
Addressing these aspects will pave the way for smart materials to play a crucial role in advancing sustainable energy technologies, offering efficient, adaptive, and environmentally friendly solutions.
The scope of our Research Topic encompasses several specific themes for contributors to explore. Key themes include but are not limited to:
• Material design and optimization: novel approaches in designing smart materials tailored for energy saving and storage applications, including characterization of their structural, mechanical, and electrical properties.
• Energy saving, storage, and conversion: innovations in utilizing smart materials for controllable energy saving in production and daily life, efficient energy conversion and storage of renewable power sources
• Integration and application: practical implementations and integration of smart materials into energy-efficient technologies for sectors like renewable energy generation, smart grids, and sustainable building materials.
• Advanced manufacturing techniques: innovations in scalable manufacturing processes for smart materials to facilitate commercial viability.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute innovative insights, experimental findings, theoretical advancements, and practical applications in the field of smart materials for energy-saving and energy-storage devices.
Keywords:
Smart, Energy-saving, Energy storage, energy conversion
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.