The development of sustainable energy systems is among the most pivotal challenges of the 21st century. Nanotechnology potentially provides paradigm-changing solutions to problems related to energy technology, because energy conversion processes of practical relevance occur at interfaces and surfaces, which are abundant in nanostructured materials. These materials properties can be specifically adapted and combined to produce highly potent, customized, multi-functional materials for intelligent conversion, storage, and ‘consumption’ of energy. Additionally, in many manufacturing processes, the use of nanostructured precursors leads to a reduction in the cost, necessary amount of material, or process temperature, which enables production routes of unrivalled energy efficiency. However, despite the great potential of specifically synthesized nanostructured materials, both practical and visionary applications have not found their way into the market yet. Reasons are that, firstly, the fundamental understanding of energy conversion, storage and transport at the nanoscale is still incomplete, secondly, the gap between nanostructured materials and macroscopic demonstrators and prototypes is not closed, thirdly, nanostructured materials with the desired properties are not available in sufficient quantities to close this gap, and lastly, actual or alleged risks of using nanomaterials may hinder the societal acceptability.

An intensive, cross-disciplinary interaction with contributions especially from the natural sciences and engineering, but also from biomedical and social sciences is instrumental in providing means to solve fundamental problems of energy conversion, transport and storage, closing the gaps in technology and availability of nanostructured materials, answering the questions of sustainable production and usage, as well as addressing commercial and societal acceptability. This new Gordon Research Conference on ‘Nanomaterials for Applications in Energy Technology’ wants to foster the interaction between scientists from academia and industry working on fundamental and applied aspects and contribute to the ultimate goal to accelerate the implementation of new, nanomaterials-based technology that will provide clean and affordable energy for the future. In this first, new conference the focus will be on the fundamental understanding of nanostructured materials, which are candidates for energy electrooptical, electrochemical, and electrothermal energy conversion as well as storage and related industrial applications.