North East Centre for Energy Materials (NECEM)

The EPSRC North East Centre for Energy Materials (NECEM) unites a broad range of expertise across academia and industry to address one of the most fundamentally critical aspects of all energy systems, namely, the interfaces between the materials within and their interaction with the environment in which they operate. Our vision is to identify, exploring our unique blend of materials discovery, analysis techniques and energy applications, new approaches operating over a full range of length scales (nm-m).

Prof Ulrich Stimming: Retirement Symposium

We held a virtual Electrochemical energy storage symposium to honour Prof Ulrich Stimming upon his retirement from Newcastle University on 5th May 2021.

Prof Ulrich Stimming: Electrochemical Energy Storage : A NECEM Symposium

We are delighted to announce a NECEM Symposium to honour Prof Ulrich Stimming upon his retirement from Newcastle University. The Symposium on the theme of Electrochemical energy storage will take place on 5th May 2021 1-4pm via Zoom.

NECEM Webinar: Dr Emma E. McCabe

Dr Emma E. McCabe of Durham University will present a seminar entitled "Oxysulfides: structural chemistry and designing new energy materials" via Zoom on Wednesday 24th February 2021 2-3pm (UK time).

NECEM ECR and Collaboration Workshop

NECEM will deliver an early career researcher and collaboration workshop on Wednesday 24th March 2021 which will showcase research across the NECEM consortium. With themed breakout rooms to facilitate networking and collaboration.

Workshop on Interfaces in Thin-Film Photovoltaics

Registration is now open for the NECEM Workshop on Interfaces in Thin-Film Photovoltaics which will be to be held online on 29th and 30th March 2021.

NECEM Photophysics for Energy Materials Conference

NECEM will be hosting a conference “Photophysics for Energy Materials” on Wednesday 17th February 2021.

NECEM Webinar: Dr Erli Lu

Dr Erli Lu of Newcastle University will present a seminar entitled "From Molecules to Materials: Exploring Unconventional s-Block Metal in Organic Chemistry" via Zoom on Wednesday 13th January 2021 2-3pm (UK time).

NECEM and INPOMS Webinar: Prof. Masahiro Sadakane

Prof. Masahiro Sadakane of Hiroshima University will present a seminar entitled "Synthesis and Application of new Preyssler-type Phosphotungstates" via Zoom on Wednesday 16th December 2020 2-3pm (UK time).

NECEM Webinar: Dr Greg Mutch

Dr Greg Mutch of Newcastle University will present a seminar entitled "Solid sorbents and molten membranes; surpassing conventional limitations of carbon dioxide separation devices" via Zoom on Wednesday 2nd December 2020 2-3pm (UK time).

Centre for the Circular Chemical Economy

NECEM researcher, Dr Elizabeth Gibson will lead engagement for the National Interdisciplinary Centre for the Circular Chemical Economy.

NECEM Webinar: Dr James Dawson

Dr James Dawson of Newcastle University will present a seminar entitled "Beyond the Bulk: New Approaches to Interfaces and Ion Transport in Energy Materials" via Zoom on Wednesday 25th November 2020 2-3pm (UK time).

3rd Generation PV in the Developing World Conference

We are delighted to announce that the 3rd Generation PV in the Developing World Conference will take place online on 6th-8th January 2021.

NECEM Webinar: Prof Jürgen Janek

We are delighted to welcome Prof Jürgen Janek from Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen to present a seminar entitled “Going solid - A better (battery) life without liquids” on Wednesday 7th October 2020, 3-4pm (UK) via Zoom.

NECEM Summer School: Electron Microscopy for Energy Materials

The NECEM Summer School:Electron Microscopy for Energy Materials took place on 1st-3rd September 2020. We welcomed over 100 delegates, speakers and members of the NECEM research community from around the world via Zoom.

NECEM Webinar: Dr Marc Etherington

We are delighted to welcome Dr Marc Etherington from Northumbria University, for a NECEM Webinar via Zoom on Wednesday 16th September, 2-3pm (UK time).

NECEM Summer School: Microscopy for Energy Materials

Registration for the NECEM Summer School: Microscopy for Energy Materials is now open! It will be delivered via Zoom on 1st-3rd September.

NECEM Researchers Featured on DEI Podcasts

Durham Energy Institute has recorded ten podcast interviews with leading energy researchers to celebrate the tenth anniversary since the creation of the Institute.

NECEM Webinar: Prof. Lisa A. Fredin

We are delighted to welcome Prof. Lisa A. Fredin from Lehigh University, USA for a NECEM Webinar via Zoom on Wednesday 29th July 2020, 2-3pm (UK).

NECEM Webinar: Dr Bruno Ehrler

We are delighted to welcome Dr Bruno Ehrler from AMOLF in Amsterdam for a NECEM Webinar via Zoom on Wednesday 24th June 2020, 2-3pm (UK time).

NECEM Summer School: Microscopy for Energy Materials

The third NECEM Summer School will take place on the 1st to the 3rd September 2020. The conference will be delivered online.

NECEM Webinar: Professor Maria Abrahamsson

We are delighted to welcome Professor Maria Abrahamsson from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden for a NECEM Webinar via Zoom on Wednesday 10th June 2020, 2-3pm (UK).

NECEM Webinar: Dr. Devendra Tiwari

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Devendra Tiwari (Northumbria University) for a NECEM Webinar via Zoom entitled: “Opportunities and challenges in solution-processable inorganic thin-film photovoltaics” on Wednesday 20th May 2020, 2-3pm (UK).

Coronavirus Update: Photovoltaics Workshop Postponed

The NECEM workshop on ‘Interfaces in Thin-Film Photovoltaics’ at Durham University planned for July 2020, has been postponed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. We hope to reschedule the event in 2021.

NECEM Webinar: Prof Anders Hagfeldt

We are delighted to welcome Prof Anders Hagfeldt from the Laboratory of Photomolecular Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, for a NECEM Webinar via Zoom on Wednesday 6th May 2020, 2-3pm.

NECEM Webinar: Prof Alison Walker

We are delighted to welcome Prof Alison Walker from the University of Bath for a NECEM Webinar via Zoom on Wednesday 22nd April 2020, 2-3pm.

NECEM Meets the Durham Energy Institute

NECEM and other members of the North East energy materials community met (on-line) with the Durham Energy Institute on 6th April 2020.

Northumbria University awarded funding from the North East LEP

Northumbria University Fabrication (NU-FAB) has been awarded funding from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (North East LEP’s) Energy for Growth Fund.

POSTPONED: 3rd Generation PV in the Developing World Conference

The 3rd Generation PV in the Developing World Conference planned for 11-13th May at Durham University has been postponed.

Dye-sensitized solar cells under ambient light powering machine learning

Marina Freitag from Newcastle University has published an important paper on dye-sensitized solar cells powering machine learning under ambient light.

NECEM Seminar: Sono-Electrocatalysis

We are delighted to welcome Prof. Bruno G. Pollet from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim for a NECEM Seminar on Wednesday 4th March 2020, 2-3pm at Newcastle University.

NECEM Flex Fund 2nd Call

The successful proposals for the NECEM Flex Fund 2nd Call have been announced.

NECEM Seminar: “Metal coordination compounds in electrochemical energy storage”

We are delighted to welcome Dr Kathryn Toghill from Lancaster University for a NECEM Seminar on Tuesday 18th February 2020, 2-3pm at Newcastle University.

NECEM Seminar: “Using Low-Cost Renewable Energy for Waste Valorisation”

Z. Jason Ren from Princeton University. He will present a seminar: "Using Low-Cost Renewable Energy for Waste Valorisation” on Wednesday 22nd January 2020, 2-3pm at Newcastle University.

NECEM Flexi Fund Second Call for Proposals

We are delighted to announce NECEM’s second call for proposals to its Flexi Fund. The deadline is 3 February 2020.

Workshop on ‘Interfaces in Thin-Film Photovoltaics’

NECEM is sponsoring a workshop on ‘Interfaces in Thin-Film Photovoltaics’ to be held at Durham University, 13-14th July 2020.

3rd Generation PV in the Developing World Conference

Durham University will host a conference on 3rd Generation PV in the Developing World date to be confirmed

6th North East Energy Materials Meeting

The 6th North East Energy Materials meeting took place at Northumbria University on 19th November 2019. There were 47 attendees, with representatives from industry and the NECEM partner universities.

6th NEEM Meeting

Northumbria University will be hosting the 6th North East Energy Materials (NEEM) Meeting on 19th November 2019 in conjunction with the ReNU CDT Week.

NECEM Seminar: Architectural Design, Building Performance Simulation and Energy

Dr. Neveen Hamza from Newcastle University is an architect and a building scientist with an interest in building performance simulation and energy . She will present a NECEM seminar on 13th November 2-3pm at Newcastle University.

“Modelling of organic semiconductors for solar energy harvesting"

Dr. Roderick MacKenzie from the University of Nottingham will deliver a NECEM seminar on Wednesday 30th October at Durham University.

Energy Revolution Engagement Events at the Great North Museum

NECEM showcased our research on renewable energy in a joint project with the Great North Museum: Hancock in conjunction with the Dippy Exhibit over the summer of 2019.

“Magnetic Resonance Studies of Solid-State Ionic Conductors"

We are excited to welcome Dr Gillian R. Goward from McMaster University, who will deliver a NECEM seminar entitled “Magnetic Resonance Studies of Solid-State Ionic Conductors” on Tuesday 22nd October at 2-3 pm at Newcastle University.

NECEM Public Engagement Activities

As part of our ongoing series of engagement activities NECEM has commissioned a video showcasing how our research is addressing the urgent need for clean renewable energy.

NECEM Summer School 2019

Thank you to all the speakers and delegates who attended the NECEM Summer School on NMR and EPR Spectroscopy for Energy Materials.

NECEM Summer School: NMR and EPR Spectroscopy for Energy Materials

The 2nd NECEM Summer School focusing on NMR and EPR Spectroscopy for Energy Materials will take place on the 2nd to the 4th September 2019 at Newcastle University.

NECEM Photovoltaic Workshop

NECEM Photovoltaic Workshop on 2nd August 2019

NECEM International Conference on Energy Materials and Interfaces

On behalf of Dr Libby Gibson, the NECEM Management Committee we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the NECEM International Conference on Energy Material and Interfaces.

CONEXS Summer School: Analysis of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The first CONEXS (COllaborative NEtwork for X-ray Spectroscopy)summer school will take from at Newcastle university from 10-12th September. It will focus upon analysis techniques for the near-edge structure of X-ray absorption spectra.

NECEM Energy Storage Workshop

NECEM will host an Energy Storage Workshop on 2nd August 2019 after the main NECEM conference.

NECEM Street Scientists at the Great North Museum

NECEM researchers ran an event on 29th May 2019 to showcase our research to children visiting the Great North Museum.

International Conference on Energy Materials and Interfaces

International Conference on Energy Materials and Interfaces

“Transforming (photo)electrochemical activity using interfacial nano-layers”

Dr Matthew T. Mayer of Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy will be presenting a NECEM seminar 14:00pm-15:00pm, Wednesday 10th July 2019 at Newcastle University.

UK Energy Storage Conference (UKES 2019)

NECEM's Director Prof Ulrich Stimming will be a member of the Science Advisory Board for the UK Energy Storage Conference (UKES 2019), which will be held at Newcastle University from Tuesday, 3 September to Thursday, 5 September 2019.

Developing cheaper and more efficient solar power

NECEM researcher Dr Budhika Mendis of Durham University has helped to solve a puzzle that could lead to cheaper and more efficient solar power.

1st Conference on Aerogel Inspired Materials

NECEM researcher Prof Lidija Siller is organising the 1st Conference on Aerogel Inspired Materials on 18th to 20th September 2019.

"Computational discovery of molecular materials"

Dr Kim Jelfs of Imperial College, London will be presenting a NECEM seminar 15:00pm-16:00pm, Wednesday 26th June 2019 at Newcastle University.

“Multiscale modelling aided materials design for energy conversion and storage”

Dr Qiong Cai from University of Surrey will be presenting a NECEM Seminar, 14:00pm-15:00pm, Wednesday 15th May 2019 at Newcastle University.

Can crude analysis alone determine prospects for energy materials?

NECEM management committee member Dr Neil Beattie from Northumbria University has published a popular article in Physics World.

NECEM Flexi Fund Call for Proposals

We are delighted to announce NECEM’s call for proposals to its Flexi Fund.

“Laser Annealing of Thin-film Photovoltaics”

Dr Elliot Woolley from Loughborough University will present a NECEM seminar 14:00pm-15:00pm, Thursday 11th April 2019 at Northumbria University.

Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy

EPSRC has announced that £5.2 million has been awarded to Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham Universities to open a new national Centre for Doctoral Training in renewable energies.

"Explaining Charge Mobility Regimes in Amorphous Materials"

Dr. Karin Zojer from Graz University of Technology will present a NECEM seminar on 8th April 15:00pm-16:00pm at Newcastle University.

"SHINing Light on Electrode Interfaces”

Prof Laurence J. Hardwick from University of Liverpool will present a NECEM seminar on 20th March 2019 14:00pm-15:00pm. The title of the seminar is "SHINing Light on Electrode Interfaces”.

5th NEEM Meeting

The 5th North East Energy Materials (NEEM) Meeting took place at St James' Park in January 2019.

“Linear and non-linear spectroscopy using quantum photons"

Prof. Eric R. Bittner from the University of Houston will present a NECEM seminar on 13th March 2019 14:00-15:00pm.

"Integrated Spectral Conversion Materials for Luminescent Solar Devices"

Dr Rachel C. Evans from University of Cambridge will present a seminar at 14:00pm-15:00pm, 20th February 2019 at Newcastle University

"Nanodiamond: A New Energy Material"

Prof Eiji Ōsawa, Professor Emeritus/NanoCarbon Research Institute, Ueda, Japan will present a seminar 13:00pm-14:00pm, 4th December 2018 at Newcastle University

"Terahertz Spectroscopy of Organic Semiconductors"

Dr Natalie Banerji from University of Bern, Switzerland will present a seminar at 14:00pm-15:00pm, 14th December 2018 at Newcastle University

"Interpretation of STM Results with the Help of Numerical Calculations"

Dr. Xavier Bouju from CEMES-CNRS, France will present a NECEM seminar on 21st November 2018 at Newcastle University

"Routes to High Efficiency Solar Cells: Next Generation Photovoltaics"

The next NECEM seminar is to be given by Dr Ian Sellers from the University of Oklahoma at Northumbria University on Thursday 4th October

"Copper Complexes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells"

Dr Marina Freitag from Uppsala University will be giving a seminar on Thursday 27th September at Newcastle University

NECEM Summer School: "X-rays for Energy Materials"

The first NECEM summer school is taking place from the 5th to the 7th of September and will have the theme of the use of x-rays in energy material research

"Nanocrystal Inks for Solar Paint"

The third seminar in the NECEM series is to be given by Dr Guillame Zoppi at Newcastle University on Wednesday 16th May

“Structural energy storage composite supercapacitors”

The second seminar in the NECEM series was given by Dr. Natasha Shirshova in March 2018 at Northmbria University

Official Launch of NECEM

The official launch event of NECEM took place on Friday 16th March 2018 at Newcastle University

Faraday Institution Project

Professor Ulrich Stimming has been awarded a £1.5 million Faraday Institution project

Combining Expertise

NECEM combines the expertise of Newcastle, Durham, and Northumbria University as well as that of local and international industrial partners

Welcome to NECEM

The EPSRC North East Centre for Energy Materials (NECEM) aims to sustainably address global challenges through combining expertise

"Molecular Processes in Intercalation and Redox Flow Batteries"

The first seminar in the NECEM series was given by Professor Ulrich Stimming in February 2018 at Durham University