The University of Surrey has received funding from both the UK Government and the government of India for two projects that will look at the effect of nano-technology on the future of renewable energy. Awarded to researchers from the university’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) through the UK-India Education and Research Initiative, both programmes will involve close collaboration between universities in the UK and India, as well as with Tata Steel Research and the Development UK organisation.

The first project will bring researchers from Surrey and the University of Hyderabad together with collaborators from Tata Steel Research and Development UK to look into how to capture and store solar energy using an approach known as ‘inorganics-in-organics’, in which composite materials work together to increase efficiency.

The second project will examine the use of zinc-oxide nano-materials in ultra-high-sensitivity gas sensors. This project will bring together academics from Surrey University, Queen’s University Belfast and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research.

Professor Ravi Silva (pictured), of the ATI, said: “Nano-technology projects such as these are hugely exciting and offer direct solutions for the key challenges that the energy sector faces. Supported by both governments and Tata, our expert teams from India and the UK will impact the future of renewable energy on a global scale through the development of new technologies. Working with cutting-edge nano-materials such as zinc oxide, graphene and carbon nano-tubes, we can revolutionise energy storage and capture.”