Overview
We are pursuing the lab’s goal of developing clean energy systems by investigating artificial photosynthesis (AP) systems to harness solar energy. We then apply AP to reduce water into hydrogen and oxygen, and by generating an organic fuel through CO2 fixation.
Carbon rich fossil fuels have been used in combustion of steam engines to generate electricity since the industrial revolution. Since then, the global energy demand continues to increase, now it increases by 2.3% each year1. By 2040, the projected global energy demand will be 740 million terajoules2. These energy needs are currently met by the burning of fossil fuels but, are causing long term harm to the Earth. Greenhouse gasses from the combustion process and heat are trapped in the atmosphere, leading to an overall increase in temperature that is severely impacting the Earth’s climate and its people. Our energy needs must be met by technologies that can be sustainably maintained for the long term.
- Lewis, N. S.; Nocera, D. G. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2006, 103, 15729
- Larsen, Esben, and Karsten Bjerring Olsen. The World Counts. Accessed August 4, 2022. https://www.theworldcounts.com/.