Systematic development of an artificial solar-fuel generation device

Abstract

Addressing the world's energy challenges will require cost-competitive, globally scalable technologies for fuel prodn. that minimize impact on the environment. Despite decades of research focused on understanding and improving the efficiencies of natural photosynthesis, the energy conversion efficiencies of the most productive biofuel crops remain too low for mass industrialization of bioenergy. The Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) focuses on an alternative approach that aims to produce chem. fuels from sunlight, water, and carbon-dioxide using an engineered, non-biol. device that is cost-effective, robust, and efficient. Research at JCAP involves the development of core technologies for artificial solar-fuels generation, including directed and combinatorial methods for the discovery of light-absorbing, semiconductor-based materials and watersplitting and carbon dioxide reducing catalysts, the design of ion-permeable, gas-sepg. membranes, and methods for efficiently integrating and assembling these components into fully functional prototypes. Recent discoveries in JCAP have led to significant advances towards com. viable, solar-fuel producing systems.