Electrochemistry at Nano-interfaces Faraday Discussion

26 - 28 June 2018, Bath, United Kingdom


Introduction
The active nano-interface is important in electrochemistry because it constitutes the place where electron/ion transfer reactions occur coupled to extremely fast mass transport and under exquisite control of local conditions. Electrochemistry at nano-interfaces poses major fundamental and conceptual challenges in physical electrochemistry, while also being central to the emergence of real applications. Nano-interfaces are a major theme in energy transforming technologies (e.g. batteries, fuel cells, solar cells), electrochemical biosensors, diagnostic platforms, in bio-electrochemistry, and in nano-electrochemical mapping/imaging techniques. All of these areas face common challenges linked to the nano-interface concept. This Faraday Discussions meeting addresses these fundamental challenges, and also encourages cross-disciplinary interactions.
 
At this Faraday Discussion, we will discuss the theme of understanding the electrochemistry at nano-interfaces, including electron- and ion-transfer. We will explore the modern methods used to design new nano-interfaces, probe the charge/energy transferring processes at the nano-interface, and promote applications including those involving single-molecule studies, single-nanoparticle electrochemistry and single-cell analysis.
 
The rising issue lies in understanding the importance of nanostructures in nanopores and nano-electrodes; this is linked to the control of the nature of electrochemical performance and potentially revolutionizes both the understanding of electrochemical processes and the construction of new sophisticated functionalized nano-interfaces. In particular, we will aim to shed light on the development of new ultrafast current measurements as well as spatially resolved imaging tools, which have great relevance and interest for transient detection/imaging and for the measurement of charge transfer at nanostructured interfaces in many applications.

Format

The Faraday Division have been organising high impact Faraday Discussions in rapidly developing areas of the physical sciences, with a focus on physical chemistry and its interfaces with other scientific disciplines for over 100 years.

Faraday Discussions have a special format where research papers written by the speakers are distributed to all participants before the meeting, and most of the meeting is devoted to discussing the papers. Everyone contributes to the discussion - including presenting their own relevant research. The research papers and a record of the discussion are published in the journal Faraday Discussions.

Find out more about Faraday Discussions in this video​:
 

Aims

This meeting aims to gather key participants representing the full scientific scope of the topic, specifically but not limited to the areas of processes at nanopores and biointerfaces, processes at nanoelectrodes, as well as energy conversion and dynamics at nano-interfaces. The focus of the discussions will be on the chemistry, physics and material sciences as well as electronic engineering breakthroughs in the rapidly evolving field of electrochemistry at nano-interfaces.
 
Electrochemistry at Nano-interfaces is a fundamental topic for Nanopores, Nano-Electrodes, Nano-Biosensors, Photoelectric Cells and the corresponding advanced techniques including Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) and Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM). This proposed meeting aims to provide a productive discussion for understanding the comprehensive mechanisms and promote the industrial conversion.

Themes

Processes at Nanopores and Bio-Nanointerfaces
Nanopore sensors provide a highly innovative technique for a rapid and label-free analysis of transport processes including molecule translocations, charge transfer and electron transfer. However, the key challenges remain in acquiring small (fA-pA) and transient (sub microsecond) signals, resolving fine molecular features and motions inside nanopores, improving the nanopore spatial resolution and achieving application in real sample detection.
 
This session will focus on new techniques for characterizing processes at functional nanopores, made possible by the integration of novel optical techniques and the development of ultrafast current measurements. It will cover both high selectivity and high sensitivity approaches relevant to multi-component analysis in real samples, the precise manipulation of single molecules, the encoding of the chemical composition of an individual molecule, and the theoretical modelling of how the analyte interacts with the atoms and molecules of the nanopores.
 
Processes at Nanoelectrodes
This session focusses on understanding the processes at nanoelectrodes and corresponding areas of application. One of the major challenges to address in nanoelectrochemistry has been to avoid the irreproducible production of nanoelectrodes of random size, shape and uncontrolled functionality. These hinder the correlation between the apparent electrode radius estimated by electrochemical characterization and the actual nanoscopic area. It is also important to create more selective nanoelectrodes by specific design and modification of the nanoelectrode surface. Moreover, the difficulties in characterization and analysis of the behavior of ions and electrons at the nanoelectrodes need to be addressed in order to understand the charge/energy transfer processes at the nano-interface.
 
Therefore, in this session, attention will be focused on: (i) fabrication and characterization methods for producing structurally well-defined nanoelectrodes incorporating related surface modification, (ii) experimental and theoretical characterization of electrochemical processes occurring at nano-interfaces, including electron- and ion-transfer, (iii) the applications of nanoelectrodes to single-molecule studies, single-nanoparticle electrochemistry, single-cell analysis and the scanning probe techniques.
 
Energy Conversion at Nanointerfaces
The improvements in the fabrication of electrochemical nano-interfaces facilitate the development of alternative energy conversion systems for clean energy production, storage and transformation.
 
This session aims to shed more light on: the achievements of predictive tools in the design of nano-interfaces, understanding the double-layer structures that can transform photon/chemical energy into electricity, and discussing the materials, architectures and fabrication methods required to advance this field and to advance applications.
 
Dynamics of Nanointerfaces
The goal of this session is to highlight progresses in the transient detection and measurement of charge (electron and/or ion) transfer at nano-interfaces, either through the use of versatile tools to measure charge transfer reactions or by establishing suitable techniques for detecting and identifying charged intermediates at nano-interfaces. The quantitative assessment of the kinetic and dynamic mechanisms for charge transfer at nano-interfaces pushes the application of electrochemistry into the limits of high-sensitivity bioanalysis, high-resolution topography and reactivity imaging.
Speakers
Abstract Submission

Oral Abstracts and Research Papers - Abstract Submission is now closed

A full research paper containing new unpublished results always accompanies oral presentations at Faraday Discussions. Submit an oral/paper abstract by 10 October 2017 if you wish to be considered for an oral presentation and associated published paper. The oral/paper abstract should outline current research in progress. Authors of the selected abstracts must then submit a full research paper with a significant amount of new, unpublished work by 5 February 2018.

The research papers are reviewed upon submission and are sent to all delegates 4 weeks before the meeting so they can be read in advance. At the meeting the presenting author is allowed five minutes to highlight the main points of their paper, and the rest of the time is for discussion. The discussion is recorded and will be published alongside the research paper in the Faraday Discussion Volume.
  

Poster Abstracts 

Submit your poster abstract by 17 April 2018. Posters are displayed throughout the meeting and a poster session is held on the first evening. The Faraday Division Poster Prize will be awarded to the best poster presented by a student at the conference. 

Additional Information

Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process within about 6 weeks of the submission deadline. The abstracts should be no longer than one A4 page in portrait layout. Please ensure you provide the details of the presenting author and indicate whether you are submitting an abstract for oral or poster presentation.   
Registration
Please note that registration is now Closed.

Please read the registration information before registering.
You can register by clicking on the online registration link on this page.
Please note accommodation is not included in the registration fee.

Registration includes:
  • Attendance at the sessions 
  • Refreshments throughout the meeting
  • Lunch on all three days
  • Attendance at the poster drinks reception on Tuesday 26 June
  • Attendance at the conference dinner on Wednesday 27 June
  • A copy of the discussion pre-prints
  • A copy of the final theme issue of Faraday Discussion Volume containing papers presented at the Discussion (issued approximately 6 months after the meeting)**
  • For non-member registrants, membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry until the end of 2018
Registration fees are as follows: 
 

Early Bird

Standard

Member*

£355

£410
Non-Member*

£460

£515
Student Member*

£170

£225
Student Non-Member

£195

£250

Registration fees are VAT exempt.

 * If you are an Royal Society of Chemistry member and wish to register for this meeting, please select the member option on the online registration page. You will need to enter your membership number.

 **Excluding students, who can order the volume at a reduced price at the conference. 

***For non-member registrants, affiliate membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry until the end of 2018, the affiliate membership application will be processed and commence once the registrant has attended the event.

Student Delegates

In order to encourage undergraduate or postgraduate students to attend the Discussion, a reduced conference fee (to include a set of pre-prints but not the final Discussion Volume) is available. This fee applies to those undertaking a full time course for a recognised degree or a diploma at a university or equivalent institution.

A copy of the publication may be purchased at less than half price, only for orders placed at the meeting where an application form will be made available. 

Conference Dinner

The conference dinner on Wednesday 27 June and is included in the registration fee.

Terms and Conditions for Events run by the Royal Society of Chemistry

Bursaries
We have two types of grants available to Royal Society of Chemistry members in the Associate category or above to attend this meeting:
  • A limited number of non-competitive travel grants of up to £200 are available for PhD students and early career scientists. These are assigned on a first come, first served basis. 
  • Competitive grants of up to £800 are available to assist with international travel expenses for PhD students, postdocs within 10 years of completing their PhD and early career scientists (including technicians and industrialists) within 10 years of leaving full time education. In addition, applicants must have held any form of RSC membership for at least a year prior to application. 
To take advantage of these grants and many other benefits, become a member. Follow the link on the right hand side to find out more and join today!
 
Applications for either grant should be submitted as early as possible, but at least 8 weeks in advance of the start of the meeting. Please see respective terms & conditions for full eligibility information.
Sponsorship & supporting organisations
A selection of sponsorship opportunities is available for companies who would like to promote their activities at the 2018 Faraday Discussion series.

There are opportunities available to become the Faraday Discussion series sponsor,  Research & Development partner or Poster prize series sponsor as well as some individual meeting options. A sponsorship menu document is available to download from this page with more details and prices.
Please note that exhibition spaces are limited, spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

If you would like more information about sponsoring the 2018 Faraday Discussion series, please contact the Commercial Sales Department at the Royal Society of Chemistry on solutions@rsc.org. Sponsorship Menu
Venue
University of Bath

The Chancellors' Building, University of Bath, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom

Accommodation
A limited number of single en-suite rooms can be booked at the University of Bath for the night of the 26th and 27th of June.  Rooms are £40 (B&B).  Room booking is via the registration process and are single occupancy.

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