Dear Colleagues, 

I would like to invite you to submit your unpublished research work on the use of nano-/microscale (N/M) materials that, as a result of their dimensions, control whether a physical or chemical process will occur. One example is the observed melting of N/M structures in high-temperature materials upon irradiation and the absorption of infrared radiation. The application of a related ability can be found in the fabrication of an electrochemical catalyst structure used on the input/output surface of a PEM fuel cell, converting stored chemical energy into electrical energy. The reverse of this specific process would involve another catalyst material film used in a PEM chemical generator found in a system converting harvested solar power into stored chemical energy, such as hydrogen. 

Nanoscale membranes can also be used as selectively permeable filters or as components in electrochemical devices. An application of N/M materials used in the transition of energy involves a freestanding nanoscale membrane that permits the free flow of ionic species in a chemical reactor. A specific example would be a graphene membrane used as a H+-permeable membrane in a PEM electrolyzer cell. A further example of this process could be a membrane controlling the flow of ions in a solid-state battery. 

In all cases, the manuscripts should clearly explain proposed physical processes that are made possible with N/M-sized materials. 

Prof. Dr. Walter Varhue
Guest Editor

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