In 1834, Michael Faraday reported his first discovery of the laws of electrolysis, mostly through experiments in molten salts. The field has continued to grow ever since, with developments of various liquid salts, including, but not limited to, oxide melts, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents.

In the context of the global challenges facing our present civilisation, energy technologies and their supporting materials are crucial. A great many opportunities remain, particularly for thermal, electrochemical and nuclear energy vectors in relation to liquid salts. Even fossil energy, and the related CO2 capture, conversion and utilisation can be accommodated efficiently in liquid salts-based processes and devices.

Thanks to their great range of working temperatures, liquid salt innovations can offer significant benefits for improving energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of the production of many materials and of processing technologies. Yet, technological advancement relies heavily on a sound understanding of the underlying science of the huge number of liquid salts and their widely varying properties.

With a focus on energy and materials, this Faraday Discussion will offer a unique opportunity for all scientists and engineers to present, discuss and debate recent discoveries and future developments in relation to the understanding and applications of liquid salts, particularly at elevated temperatures.