The CYSS Organizing Committee has invited speakers from the field of artificial photosynthesis covering all aspects of CYSS2021 to highlight some of the areas of interest in each topic, together with the associated results and challenges, before each session.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Troy Van Voorhis' research interests center on the dynamics of electron and energy transfer in molecules and nanoscale objects. In the area of solar energy conversion, he is known for his work on hot carrier generation, singlet fission and photon upconversion. Most recently, he has become interested in questions surrounding hybrid materials involving both molecules and traditional inorganic semiconductors. |
University of Illinois at Chicago, United States The Glusac group investigates molecular chromophores and catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. We utilize advanced time-resolved laser spectroscopy techniques to investigate mechanisms of energy and charge migration in molecular excited states and evaluate the parameters that control undesired energy losses through fast charge recombination. We also explore molecular electrocatalysts that are able to receive electrons and holes from excited chromophores and covert then into desired products. |
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University of Vienna, Austria In our group we use static and time resolved vibrational spectroscopy to study the structure and dynamics of condensed matter. Currently we focus on aqueous interfaces varying from water-air over ice to solid-liquid interfaces. We try to understand how the particular interface or how additives like salt influences the structure. Moreover, light induced reaction dynamics is studied with sub picosecond time resolution. |
University of Basel, The Wenger group aims to establish new photphysics and photochemistry with metal complexes. Synthesis is combined with laser spectroscopy to unravel mechanisms and new concepts for the development of luminophores, ligh-harvesting systems, and photocatalyst. |
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Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel The focus of my research program is the development of sophisticated hybrid nanostructures, which harness nano-phenomena for improved photocatalytic activity. This research is both fundamental, aimed at increasing our understanding of basic physical-chemistry aspects of photocatalysis at the nanoscale, and applied aimed at improving the efficiency of solar energy harvesting. |
University of Lincoln, United Kingdom In our group, we work at the interface of molecular systems and materials with primary focus on developing new catalysts for renewable energy applications and sustainable chemistry. Our current projects include hybrid catalysts for organic photo-oxidation and conductive porous materials for electrocatalytic applications. |
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University of Mainz, Germany The research projects carried out in the Kerzig group focus on mechanistic investigations of photochemical processes: Either to develop new strategies for light-to-energy conversion systems with unmatched efficiencies or for the development of novel mechanisms driven by two visible photons. We combine time-resolved optical spectroscopy and lab-scale irradiation experiments to explore the performance of our photocatalytic systems, preferentially under "green" reaction conditions. |
TU Darmstadt, Germany The Krewald group aims to understand the electronic structures and functional principles of inorganic complexes with quantum chemical methods. We are interested in systems that are have unexpected properties, are magnetically coupled, can achieve difficult molecular transformations, or show promising catalytic activity. Our activities in photochemistry currently focus on light-driven nitrogen fixation." |
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