Glasses for Energy Applications

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Background

Glasses, as materials that have random atomic arrangements, are at the frontiers of materials science, and at the same time are key and innovative materials in Information Technology and in creating a sustainable society. New innovative functional glasses for energy applications are developed through the design of glass systems and chemical compositions, and fabrication processing together with a deep understanding of glass structure in short- and medium-range orders. Crystallization is also an important concept, leading to innovative functional glass-crystal hybrid materials called as glass-ceramics.

Nowadays, glasses and glass-ceramics have been expected largely as cutting-edge materials for the development of a sustainable society, in which green energy, safety water, and CO2 reduction are important and urgent issues. Glasses and glass-ceramics have a high potential to be applied in new devices for energy production, energy transfer, energy storage, and efficient energy usage. For example, glasses and glass-ceramics are expected to be innovative materials for the next generation of all solid-state Li+/Na+ secondary batteries. The design of glasses for waste management in nuclear-related materials is also important. High or low thermal expansion coefficients, high or low thermal conductivities, as well as thermal stability, are properties needed in various energy devices, and can be fulfilled by glass and glass-ceramics. In fact, the compositional versatility of glasses and glass-ceramics allows them to be tailored with different properties. For economic reasons, the search for glasses with specific properties and a low melting temperature is also of scientific and technological interest.

This Research Topic focuses on the recent progress in new glasses and glass-ceramics related to energy applications, which will have a great impact on the achievement of a sustainable society. This article collection will also highlight further challenges on new functional and innovative glasses as frontiers in materials science and technology.

Original research and review articles in all areas of glasses and glass-ceramics related to the energy and energy applications are welcome, including but not limited to:

 • Batteries, Solar cells, Fuel cells, Solid electrolyte, Super-capacitors
 • Water splitting, Hydrogen energy, Energy storage, Nuclear energy
 • Electro-chemical/photoelectron-chemical reactions
 • Ionic/electron conductivities, Diffusion of H2, H2O, and other ions
 • High and low thermal expansion and conductivities
 • Glass and glass-ceramic sealants for energy devices

Keywords: Glass, Glass-Ceramics, Energy applications, Energy production, Energy Storage

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.

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