Training the next generation of scientists in solar chemicals for a sustainable Europe by hybrid molecule/semiconductor devices (SOLAR2CHEM)
SOLAR2CHEM project trains 15 early stage researchers to fill the existing gap in the European industrial landscape in the area of solar chemicals production and usage in technical, economic and policy aspects. The consortium is formed by 12 beneficiaries including 9 academic and 3 non-academic organisations plus 8 partner organisations to cover a full training programme on scientific, technical and personal development skills which will include secondments in current world leading countries (Japan, US, Australia) to gather the necessary knowledge and implement it in Europe.
The project is funded by H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019 program, and was started in February 2020.
We are responsible for WP2 Photoelectrode advanced characterisation of the project implementation.
Light activation of molecular catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction (LACOR)
The project tackles the carbon-neutrality challenge by developing an effective platform to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide to valuable chemical compounds using solar energy. Our approach builds on photocatalysis and requires an efficient light harvester transferring photon energy to a catalyst, which is used to overcome energy barriers associated with CO2 reduction reactions. The novelty of our approach is to deploy the synergy between efficient solar harvesting by nanoparticles and best-known molecular CO2 reduction electrocatalysts, which are activated through photoinduced electron transfer from nanoparticles to which they are bound.
The project is carried out in cooperation with Prof. Karoliina Honkala group at University of Jyväskylä, Funded, and funded by JAES. We are aimed to start from January 2021.
The Flagship on Photonics Research and Innovation (PREIN)
The Flagship on Photonics Research and Innovation (Otherwise known as PREIN) is one of the 6 Finnish Flagships, managed by the Academy of Finland. PREIN focuses on light-based solutions from scientific excellence to industrial and societal impact, comprising four partner institutions: Tampere University, Aalto University, University of Eastern Finland, and VTT. PREIN covers all the value chain from fundamental research to applied research, product development and commercialization.
The project started in 2019 at Tampere University.