The 119th ICREA Colloquium ‘From Flames to Ions: The Electrochemical Reinvention of Energy’

ABSTRACT

For centuries, energy has been ruled by fire. Combustion engines, heat, and fossil

fuels have powered modern society. Today, this paradigm is giving way to a quieter

but deeper revolution driven by ions. This talk explores the transition from

combustion‑based energy conversion to electrochemical devices such as batteries,

hydrogen technologies, and fuel cells, where ionic motion replaces flames and

mechanical work. Rather than incremental substitutions, these systems represent a

fundamental shift in how energy is generated, stored, and controlled. By focusing

on ions, interfaces, and materials, electrochemistry is redefining efficiency,

sustainability, and scalability. In this emerging landscape, ions are taking control of

energy.