Under the urgent global shift toward green and sustainable energy systems, the development of novel energy carriers characterized by high energy density and environmental friendliness has emerged as a critical research focus. Metal energy carriers (Al, Mg and Zn…) exhibit remarkable potential for efficient energy conversion and utilization, owing to the high energy density and recyclability, as well as the ease of storage and transportation. Energy of metal carriers is released and transferred through multiple pathways, including electrochemical energy storage, controllable combustion, hydrogen production, and hydrogen storage. Therefore, the in-depth research on the multi-form energy conversion mechanisms, system integration, and energy efficiency improvement of metal energy carriers is significant to promoting the optimization of the energy structure and the application of renewable energy.
This Research Topic aims to systematically investigate the fundamental scientific issues and key technical bottlenecks in multi-form energy conversion involving metal energy carriers with high energy density, such as electrochemical energy storage, controllable combustion, hydrogen production, and hydrogen storage. By elucidating the energy conversion mechanisms and material structure evolution regularity, we seek to construct highly efficient and stable metal energy systems. The research will further develop novel strategies for material design and process regulation tailored to metal energy carriers (Al, Mg and Zn…), thereby enhancing the energy utilization efficiency, cyclability, and environmental adaptability. Ultimately, the research aims to realize an integrated metal energy system characterized by multi-energy complementarity, cleanliness, and low carbon emissions, thus providing theoretical support and technical pathways for optimizing the energy structure and advancing the efficient utilization of renewable energy.
The scope of this research compiles advanced research on high-energy-density metal-based energy carriers. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Electrochemical energy storage of metal-based batteries/fuel cells
• Controllable combustion of metal-based fuels
• Hydrogen production, release and storage by metal-based materials
• Synthesis of advanced metal-based functional catalysts tailored for energy conversion and storage applications
• Performance and economic assessment during the lifecycle for metal energy conversion systems, supported by numerical modeling, machine learning, and other analytical methods
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Editorial
- FAIR² Data
- FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
- Mini Review
- Original Research
- Perspective
- Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
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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.
