BioInspired_SolarH2
Financiado
Engineering Bio Inspired Systems for the Conversion of Solar Energy to Hydrogen
With this proposal, I aim to achieve the efficient conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The overall objective is to engineer bio-inspired systems able to convert solar energy into a separation of charges and to construct device...
With this proposal, I aim to achieve the efficient conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The overall objective is to engineer bio-inspired systems able to convert solar energy into a separation of charges and to construct devices by coupling these systems to catalysts in order to drive sustainable and effective water oxidation and hydrogen production.
The global energy crisis requires an urgent solution, we must replace fossil fuels for a renewable energy source: Solar energy. However, the efficient and inexpensive conversion and storage of solar energy into fuel remains a fundamental challenge. Currently, solar-energy conversion devices suffer from energy losses mainly caused by disorder in the materials used. The solution to this problem is to learn from nature. In photosynthesis, the photosystem II reaction centre (PSII RC) is a pigment-protein complex able to overcome disorder and convert solar photons into a separation of charges with near 100% efficiency. Crucially, the generated charges have enough potential to drive water oxidation and hydrogen production.
Previously, I have investigated the charge separation process in the PSII RC by a collection of spectroscopic techniques, which allowed me to formulate the design principles of photosynthetic charge separation, where coherence plays a crucial role. Here I will put these knowledge into action to design efficient and robust chromophore-protein assemblies for the collection and conversion of solar energy, employ organic chemistry and synthetic biology tools to construct these well defined and fully controllable assemblies, and apply a complete set of spectroscopic methods to investigate these engineered systems.
Following the approach Understand, Engineer, Implement, I will create a new generation of bio-inspired devices based on abundant and biodegradable materials that will drive the transformation of solar energy and water into hydrogen, an energy-rich molecule that can be stored and transported.
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Duración del proyecto: 73 meses
Fecha Inicio: 2018-08-20
Fecha Fin: 2024-09-30
Fecha Fin: 2024-09-30
Línea de financiación: concedida
El organismo H2020 notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2024-09-30
Línea de financiación objetivo
El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
ERC-2018-STG:
ERC Starting Grant
Cerrada
hace 7 años
Presupuesto
El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a
2M€
Líder del proyecto
FUNDACIO INSTITUT CATALA D'INVESTIGACIO QUIMI...
Otra investigación y desarrollo experimental en ciencias naturales y técnicas asociacion
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5