Energy and Materials

Energy is essential for life in a modern society. It is the source of power and heat for the home, work, transport, hospitals and leisure. The global demand for energy is increasing as the economies of developing countries gather momentum. Gas, coal, oil and nuclear power will continue to be the main fuel sources of energy for the foreseeable future but with increasing demand for renewable sources of energy. 

The industry is responding to pressures for environmentally cleaner and more efficient energy conversion processes. For example, while gas will continue to be burned in the home and industry, there will be a continuing use of gas for electric power generation on both economic and environmental grounds. Also fuel cells are being developed to convert gas directly into electricity.

Such developments in energy supply and conversion processes present opportunities and challenges for materials scientists and technologists.