2014 10 3 I²CNER Seminar Series : Prof. Hideki Hashimoto

［Title］Artificial Photosynthesis Producing Solar Fuels
［Speaker］Prof. Hideki Hashimoto, Professor, Project Leader
The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science
and Technology (OCARINA), Osaka City University
［Date & Time］Friday, October 3, 2014 4:00 p.m.
［Place］I2CNER Hall, Ito campus, Kyushu University

［Abstract］
Mankind is facing a major challenge to find new ways of creating clean, renewable fuels. One potentially abundant source of energy is solar radiation. The problem is how to harness such an abundant yet diffuse source of energy. Photosynthesis has evolved mechanisms to achieve this. Any proposed strategies that set out to mimic this process in order to make solar fuels must begin with a light-harvesting or light-concentration step. Photosynthetic antenna complexes are organized on the nano-scale and a major question is how to translate this information into the design of meso- to macro-scale light-harvesting devices. This lecture will outline how photosynthesis achieves ‘Solar to Fuels’ conversion. Recent progress on understating the molecular details of the key reactions in the photosynthetic process has been remarkable. We are now at the stage where it is realistic to start to use this ‘biological blueprint’ to begin to construct devices that have the capability to mimic the key steps in the natural process. This is one of the grand scientific challenges of our time.

［Host］Associate Professor Ki-Seok Yoon
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