Metal Atoms on Surfaces and Interfaces for Sustainable Future
"Underpinning the drive to decarbonise the economy is the need to have environmentally-friendly and sustainable use of resources. However, many green, zero-emission technologies rely heavily on the use of metals, some of which are becoming ‘endangered’ due to the rapid depletion of natural resources. Precious and rare metals such as platinum, lithium and indium are examples used in products, such as catalysts, electric vehicle batteries and solar cells.
Our project is set to revolutionise the ways metals are used in a broad range of technologies, and to break our dependence on critically endangered elements. Specifically, MASI will make advances in: the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and its valorisation into useful chemicals; the production of 'green' ammonia (NH3) as an alternative zero-emission fuel and a new vector for hydrogen storage; and the provision of more sustainable fuel cells and electrolyser technologies.
At the core of MASI is the fundamental science of metal nanoclusters (MNC), which goes beyond the traditional realm of nanoparticles towards the nanometre and sub-nanometre domain, including single metal atoms (SMA). MASI takes us on a journey closer to atoms to unlock their full potential for catalysis."
Andrei Khlobystov
Director, MASI programme grant
Who we are, and our goals
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