The workshop focuses on the fundamental role of solid-liquid interfaces in electrochemical systems for energy and sustainability. Understanding these complex environments requires integrating theoretical modeling with advanced experimental techniques. The program will explore how in situ and operando characterization methods (Synchrotron-based X-ray techniques, liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy) combined with atomistic simulations (Density Functional Theory, ab initio molecular dynamics, machine-learning-assisted models) can reveal the morphological, structural, electronic, and chemical dynamics governing electrochemical reactivity. A central theme will be linking interfacial behavior across scales: from electronic and molecular processes such as charge transfer, solvation, and reaction pathways, to mesoscopic mass transport and surface chemistry, up to device-level performance where these coupled phenomena determine efficiency and stability. Case studies on materials for electrocatalysis, energy storage, and energy conversion will illustrate how synergistic theory-experiment strategies accelerate the design of sustainable, low-carbon technologies. Interactive discussions will encourage participants to share methods, challenges, and opportunities, fostering collaborations to address key issues in the energy transition.
- Solid–liquid interfaces in electrochemical systems
- In situ e operando characterization (X-ray synchrotron radiation, liquid-phase TEM, Raman)
- Instrumentation and cell design for operando studies
- Atomistic simulations and machine-learning-assisted models
- Multiscale modeling of interfacial phenomena
- Mass transport and surface chemistry at electrochemical interfaces
- Correlation between interfacial processes and device performance
- Combined modeling and advanced characterization for electrochemical applications
ICREA Prof. Jordi Arbiol was born in Molins de Rei (Catalonia), 1975. Graduated in Physics at Universitat de Barcelona (UB) in 1997, where he also obtained his PhD (European Doctorate and PhD Extraordinary Award) in 2001 in the field of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) applied to nanostructured materials. He also worked as Assistant Professor at UB. In 2009 he was appointed as ICREA Professor and holds this position since then. From 2009 to 2015 he was Group Leader at Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, ICMAB-CSIC. He was the President of the Spanish Microscopy Society (SME) from 2017 to 2021, was Vice-President from 2013 to 2017 and from 2009 to 2021 he was Member of its Executive Board. In 2018 he was elected as Member of the Executive Board of the International Federation of Societies for Microscopy (IFSM) (2019-2026). Since 2015 he is the leader of the Group of Advanced Electron Nanoscopy at Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), CSIC and BIST. He is the Scientific Coordinator for the Materials Science Projects METCAM-FIB and In-CAEM at the Joint Electron Microscopy Center at ALBA Synchrotron (JEMCA). He has been one of the founder members of e-DREAM. Since 2023 he is Associate Editor of Nano Letters (American Chemical Society). He received the FWO Commemorative Medal (Flanders Research Foundation) in 2021, the 2018 BIST IGNITE Award and was awarded with the EU40 Materials Prize 2014 (E-MRS), 2014 EMS Outstanding Paper Award and listed in the Top 40 under 40 Power List (2014) by The Analytical Scientist. He currently has more than 585 peer-reviewed publications.
Daniel ChoukrounIsabella ConcinaLuca D'AmarioPersonal webpage: http://www.iccom.cnr.it/en/single-profile-iccom-en/?uid=1
Education: Ph. D. in Chemistry, University Florence, IT (2008-2011); Laurea (M.Sc.) in Chemistry, University of Florence, Italy (2006).
Work Experience: Researcher at ICCOM-CNR Florence, Italy (2011-present); Postdoctoral Fellow at ICCOM-CNR Florence (2011); Grant Holder at CNR-ICCOM, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy (2006-2010).
Management: Principal investigator of “ENTERPRISE”, funded by Regione Toscana, as subcontractor of ALTAIR CHIMICA spa. Research activities in the following projects: “GREEN FIELD P.E.A.S.”, funded by Regione Toscana, as subcontractor of ALTAIR CHIMICA spa ; “G.R.E.E.N. IMPACT C.A.P.A.C.I.T.Y.”, funded by Regione Toscana, as subcontractor of ALTAIR CHIMICA spa; “Recupero e riciclo di batterie al litio”, funded by COBAT consortium; “Developement of power generators based on hydrogen fuel cell stacks fed with gaseous or combined hydrogen” funded by WORGAS srl; “EBH2: Elettro-Bio-Idrogeno” project, funded by Regione Toscana; FISR project titled “Inorganic and hybrid Nanosistems for the developement and innovation of fuel cells”.
Publications: 45 ISI articles, 12 patents.
Bibliometric data: (Scopus, 10/11/2021) 45 articles; 1797 citations by 1289 documents; h-index: 20.
Research interests: electrocatalysis; H2 production and storage; CO2 electroreduction; fuel cells; green chemistry.
Marko MelanderDr. Marko M. Melander is an Academy of Finland Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Before obtaining his current position in 2017, he obtained a Ph.D. in physical and computational chemistry from Aalto University in 2015 after which he joined the Atomic Scale Modelling and Materials group at DTU. His research focuses on development and application of theory and computational methods to study (proton-coupled) electron transfer in electrochemical systems, heterogeneous catalysis of complex systems, and multiscale modelling.
Simone Piccinin