Course Objectives

The Course aims at giving a balanced view of fundamental topics in the realm of functional materials, from fundamentals to technology and with a special care to sustainable energy production and processes. Modelling and applications of functional materials will be addressed, spanning from basic to advanced issues and covering physical, chemical and engineering aspects.

Subjects of the lectures will include organic, inorganic and hybrid materials, with a focus on structural

(3D, 2D, nanostructured and nano-confined systems, heterogeneous and amorphous systems,

interfaces), dynamical (diffusion, relaxation, aging) and chemical aspects. The Course will cover a range of applications, including sustainable energy production, environmental remediation, smart

systems, sensors and devices, enhanced mechanical properties.

Invited talks will be given by leading experts and outstanding junior scientists, and directed to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and junior scientists working at universities and research institutions.

The Course will provide room for critical discussions on issues that are currently attracting the

attention of the researchers. By gathering participants with different specialized backgrounds, the

course also aims at cross-fertilization of ideas that could advance the state of the field.

Organization

The Course will be held in the framework of the Ettore Majorana Foundation And Centre For Scientific Culture, Erice (Italy), as a part of the Stable School “Water and Water Systems”.

The Course is organized in collaboration with the Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering of the University of Naples Federico II and with the Advanced Catalytic proCesses for using renewable Energy SourceS (ACCESS) PhD Course coordinated by the University of Messina.

Due to the still persistent impact of the pandemics, the Course will be held online.