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Physics Section     

International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Meeting

Application of nuclear methods to advanced material studies for fuel cell and hydrogen cycle technology
16 - 20 March 2009
IEA Headquarters, Paris, France

Online Pre-registration

BACKGROUND
A new source of energy, such as hydrogen can greatly contribute to a more sustainable less carbon-dependent global energy production. The major components in the expected Hydrogen Economy involve production, storage, transportation and conversion of hydrogen and these  are facing considerable technological challenges, in particular in relation  to used structural materials. At this time, the energy security in developing countries is a serious problem. More specifically, it is related to the local energy supply since in many cases there is a lack of a national distribution system. Under such circumstances, local energy sources play an extremely important role and hydrogen storage and fuel cell technology offers a new way, especially in the stationary-based configuration of the energy production. On the other hand, countries with more developed economies are orientating toward the implementation of hydrogen technologies into the advanced technologies, such as automotive industry. Nevertheless, research efforts towards the development of new materials is en extremely important on-going task in the hydrogen economy, specifically in hydrogen fuel cells and storage platform, where the new methods are still required to achieve significant improvements in such technologies. In view of these factors, the nuclear methods play an extremely important role in the further development of new materials with a significantly higher performance level. Such methods can be used as a major tool to characterize the key features of the structural materials and their properties. Future applications, based on emerging new photon, ion and neutron sources and progress in advanced analytical techniques can be used effectively for this purpose.
The scope of the meeting is to present the state-of-the-art in performance testing and microstructural characterisation of the recent and/or candidate materials for fuel cells and hydrogen storage with special focus on the application of nuclear techniques. Closer interaction between experts from different R&D communities can contribute significantly to the effective implementation of new tools and their contribution to the R&D of new advanced solid state materials with an impact on the hydrogen economy. Particular objectives focus on the implementation of selected nuclear methods, which might be applied effectively in the further studies and selection of candidate materials as well as further qualification and quantification of the key parameters. The meeting will also contribute to the harmonisation of approaches taken for further testing in the frame of new and on-going R&D activities as well as the transfer of knowledge and promotion of nuclear technology in less developed countries.
The exchange of information and stimulation of networking and closer multi-regional collaboration can increase an effective utilization of the available nuclear testing tools on one hand and on the other hand extend the capabilities and knowledge base in material characterisation related to the hydrogen storage and conversion technologies.

OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of this TM on “Applications of nuclear techniques in studies of materials for hydrogen storage and fuel cells technology” is to provide a forum to exchange ideas and information through scientific presentations and brainstorming discussions. It is anticipated that this meeting will achieve the following specific objectives:

In addition, the meeting will  provide an overview of state-of-the-art nuclear techniques which can be used in material studies of fuel cells and hydrogen storage technologies and recent developments of such experimental techniques; it will also address integration issues related to fostering advanced and/or innovative technologies by promoting information exchange and collaboration, including the sharing of know-how and best practice.

EXPECTED OUTCOME OF MEETING
The outcome of the meeting will be a meeting report summarizing the panel’s findings and recommendations. The report will reflect priorities and future needs of participants in the field of applications of nuclear techniques in studies of materials for hydrogen storage and fuel cells technology. In addition, the full proceeding will eventually be published electronically.

MEETING FORMAT
The format of the meeting will be invited and contributed oral presentations presented in sessions devoted to special topics, with subsequent discussions. There will be some restriction on the duration of presentations. An electronic projector with a computer capable of reading CDs and memory sticks will be available (Power Point or Acrobat recommended). The official language of the meeting is English. No interpretation will be provided. It is expected that the meeting will start at 09:00 on 16 March 2009 and will be concluded by 15:00 on 20 March 2009.

PARTICIPATION
In order to participate in the meeting, the following major steps must be completed:

1) Pre-registration
Online pre-registration is open to all interested participants; however, all further steps specified below must be completed in order for final registration to be accepted. For online pre-registration please follow the link Online Pre-registration.

2) Abstract Submission
Persons wishing to make a presentation must submit an abstract of maximum one page in total length, in electronic format directly to A.Zeman@iaea.org. The abstract must be text only and must contain the author’s name, affiliation and e-mail address. Acceptable file formats are Microsoft Word, HTML, or plain text. The one page abstract must be received by 10 January 2009. The abstracts will be evaluated by the Scientific Committee, and authors will be informed of the acceptance of their contributions by e-mail, by 30 January 2009. The program agenda and a book of abstracts will be prepared and e-mailed to all participants as PDF file attachments.

Important: Contributors of material to be included in the IAEA’s proceedings are required to assign all copyrights or rights to publish to the IAEA.
The authors should make sure that the files do not include copyrighted fonts or other impediments for reproduction.

The abstract shall be prepared according to the following instructions:
1) Page size: A4 (21 cm by 29.7 mm) – vertical orientation
2) Margins 25mm all around
3) Layout:

 Important: In case of sending Microsoft Word files, authors should use True Type Embedded Fonts (when saving the file, click Tools, then Options, and tick Embed True Type fonts. This will help to prevent change of fonts when the file is read in a different system, as it will be in most of the cases).

3) IAEA participation
A request for participation will only be accepted if the Participation Form is transmitted through the appropriate Governmental representative authority i.e. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Atomic Energy Authority), and their nomination is received at the IAEA by 10 January 2009.
Persons from IAEA Member States or invited international organizations are eligible to attend. Participants should be persons actively involved in the subject matter of the meeting. All persons wishing to participate in the work of this meeting are requested to complete the Participation Form and send it as soon as possible to the IAEA. Participants whose designations have been received by the IAEA will receive further details approximately 6 weeks before the meeting.

PRESENTATIONS
The presentations should be sent either as a Microsoft Word file, Power Point file, or Adobe PDF format file, complete with all text, figures and tables. All presentations will be converted as received, to an Adobe PDF file and placed on a CD-ROM for distribution to all participants at the meeting.

PAPERS
A manuscript will be prepared to be included in the meeting proceedings compiled by the IAEA in CD-ROM format (it will be available on the web and will include the presentations of authors submitting a manuscript). For detailed instructions regarding how to prepare the manuscript please check the link Author Instructions. Authors must submit a signed Paper Submission Form to the IAEA for copyright purposes. Electronic version of papers will be collected during the meeting.

EXPENDITURES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Costs for the organization of the meeting are borne by the IAEA and the IEA (in-kind), as host organisation. No registration fee is charged to participants. As a general rule, the IAEA does not pay for participants´ travel and living expenses. However, limited financial support is available to assist the attendance of selected experts with active presentation, principally those from developing Member States. Usually only one grant for financial support is awarded per Member State. If participants or governments wish to apply for a grant on behalf of one of their experts, they should ensure that applications for grants are:

Applications that do not comply with these requirements will not be considered. The grants awarded will be in the form of lump sums usually covering only part of the cost of attendance. The grants are paid at the meeting. Grants for financial support will be announced around 30 January 2008.

VISA
Designated participants who require a visa to enter France should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of France as soon as possible. A letter of invitation, if needed, has to be requested from General Secretariat of the TM (Ms. Rozanna Bojdo, R.Bojdo@iaea.org).

ACCOMMODATION
It is the responsibility of the participants to arrange their accommodation. Detailed information on transport arrangements to/from Paris and other items will be sent to all designated participants approximately 6 weeks before the meeting.

DEADLINES
10 January 2009:    Submittal of abstracts according to the instructions above closes,
10 January 2009:    Submittal of requests to the IAEA for financial support according to the instructions above closes,
30 January 2009:    Participants informed of the acceptance of their contributions,
30 January 2009:    Participants will be informed of the acceptance of their request for financial support,
16 March 2009:        Meeting begins.

IAEA SCIENTIFIC SECRETARY
Mr Andrej ZEMAN
NAPC Physics Section
International Atomic Energy Agency
Wagramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100
A1400 Vienna, Austria
Email: A.Zeman@iaea.org
Tel.: 0043 1 2600-21705, Fax: 0043 1 26007-21705

IEA LOCAL ORGANISER

Carrie Pottinger
R&D Analysis and Coordination
International Energy Agency
9, rue de la Fédération
75729 Paris Cedex 15
France 

Email: Carrie.Pottinger@iea.org
Tel.: 0033 1 40 57 67 61, Fax.: 0033 1 40 57 67 59

GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Ms Rozanna BOJDO
NAPC Physics Section
International Atomic Energy Agency
Office A2307
Wagramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100
A1400 Vienna, Austria
Email: R.Bojdo@iaea.org
Tel.: 0043 1 2600-21754, Fax: 0043 1 26007-21754