Solar Energy Harvesting With Photosynthetic Pigment Protein Complexes

This book chronicles a few approaches to constructing biohybrid devices using photosynthetic protein complexes. Can the abundantly available solar energy be tapped to meet our rising energy demands using green and cheap active materials? Exploring nature’s own tiny solar factories, the photosynthetic proteins could hold the key. Photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes found in plants and certain types of bacteria transduce sunlight into biologically useful forms of energy through a photochemical charge separation that has a 100% quantum efficiency. Getting the photoproteins to perform this efficient energy conversion reaction in a semi-artificial setup is central to developing biohybrid solar technologies, a promising green alternative to today’s photovoltaics. This book looks into the existing challenges and opportunities in the field of biohybrid photovoltaics and provides a few prospective methods of enhancing the photocurrent and photovoltage in these devices. The book targets the readership of students, academics, and industrial practitioners who are interested in alternative solar technologies.

Ever since the discovery of the photoelectric effect, researchers have been trying to improve the efficiency of converting sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic devices. Photosynthetic organisms provide clues for harvesting sunlight and storing the energy in chemical forms. This book offers a concise overview of the fundamental concepts of photosynthesis and the emerging photovoltaic technologies, casting light on the symbiotic relation between these spheres of science. Although there are many books about the fundamentals of photosynthesis and the various aspects of the photosynthetic processes, this is the first volume to focus on the prospects of studying the photosynthetic proteins, understanding and applying their properties to design prospective solar energy conversion devices that are sustainable and efficient. All in all, the book aims to bring together the present know-how on organic photovoltaics and dye-sensitized solar cells with that of the emerging bio-photovoltaics and the underlying physics of photosynthesis to foster a more eclectic research that would converge towards a sustainable energy technology for the future. The book mainly serves as a bridge to connect biochemists, who study photosynthetic proteins, and physicists and engineers who design and develop photovoltaic devices. Scientists, engineers and students in the fields of photosynthetic research and solar energy research can use this book as a ready reference. Key selling features: Covers both methods and bio-based materials needed to build bio-based photovoltaics Focuses on both techniques and applications Summarizes the advantages and limitations of various techniques Contributors from multiple disciplines integrate the knowledge of photosynthetic proteins and the physics/engineering of photovoltaic devices. Includes adaptive designs and techniques used in other types of solar cells to for the design of protein-based PVs

Ever since the discovery of the photoelectric effect, researchers have been trying to improve the efficiency of converting sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic devices. Photosynthetic organisms provide clues for harvesting sunlight and storing the energy in chemical forms. This book offers a concise overview of the fundamental concepts of photosynthesis and the emerging photovoltaic technologies, casting light on the symbiotic relation between these spheres of science. Although there are many books about the fundamentals of photosynthesis and the various aspects of the photosynthetic processes, this is the first volume to focus on the prospects of studying the photosynthetic proteins, understanding and applying their properties to design prospective solar energy conversion devices that are sustainable and efficient. All in all, the book aims to bring together the present know-how on organic photovoltaics and dye-sensitized solar cells with that of the emerging bio-photovoltaics and the underlying physics of photosynthesis to foster a more eclectic research that would converge towards a sustainable energy technology for the future. The book mainly serves as a bridge to connect biochemists, who study photosynthetic proteins, and physicists and engineers who design and develop photovoltaic devices. Scientists, engineers and students in the fields of photosynthetic research and solar energy research can use this book as a ready reference. Key selling features: Covers both methods and bio-based materials needed to build bio-based photovoltaics Focuses on both techniques and applications Summarizes the advantages and limitations of various techniques Contributors from multiple disciplines integrate the knowledge of photosynthetic proteins and the physics/engineering of photovoltaic devices. Includes adaptive designs and techniques used in other types of solar cells to for the design of protein-based PVs

Photosynthesis in silico: Understanding Complexity from Molecules to Ecosystems is a unique book that aims to show an integrated approach to the understanding of photosynthesis processes. In this volume - using mathematical modeling - processes are described from the biophysics of the interaction of light with pigment systems to the mutual interaction of individual plants and other organisms in canopies and large ecosystems, up to the global ecosystem issues. Chapters are written by 44 international authorities from 15 countries. Mathematics is a powerful tool for quantitative analysis. Properly programmed, contemporary computers are able to mimic complicated processes in living cells, leaves, canopies and ecosystems. These simulations - mathematical models - help us predict the photosynthetic responses of modeled systems under various combinations of environmental conditions, potentially occurring in nature, e.g., the responses of plant canopies to globally increasing temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Tremendous analytical power is needed to understand nature's infinite complexity at every level.

As one of the eighteen field-specific reports comprising the comprehensive scope of the strategic general report of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this sub-report addresses long-range planning for developing science and technology in the field of bio-hylic and biomass resources. They each craft a roadmap for their sphere of development to 2050. In their entirety, the general and sub-group reports analyze the evolution and laws governing the development of science and technology, describe the decisive impact of science and technology on the modernization process, predict that the world is on the eve of an impending S&T revolution, and call for China to be fully prepared for this new round of S&T advancement. Based on the detailed study of the demands on S&T innovation in China's modernization, the reports draw a framework for eight basic and strategic systems of socio-economic development with the support of science and technology, work out China's S&T roadmaps for the relevant eight basic and strategic systems in line with China's reality, further detail S&T initiatives of strategic importance to China's modernization, and provide S&T decision-makers with comprehensive consultations for the development of S&T innovation consistent with China's reality. Supported by illustrations and tables of data, the reports provide researchers, government officials and entrepreneurs with guidance concerning research directions, the planning process, and investment. Founded in 1949, the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the nation's highest academic institution in natural sciences. Its major responsibilities are to conduct research in basic and technological sciences, to undertake nationwide integrated surveys on natural resources and ecological environment, to provide the country with scientific data and consultations for government's decision-making, to undertake government-assigned projects with regard to key S&T problems in the process of socio-economic development, to initiate personnel training, and to promote China's high-tech enterprises through its active engagement in these areas.

Harnessing the sun’s energy via photosynthesis is at the core of sustainable production of food, fuel, and materials by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Photosynthesis depends on photoprotection against intense sunlight, starting with the safe removal of excess excitation energy from the light-harvesting system, which can be quickly and non-destructively assessed via non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ). By placing NPQ into the context of whole-organism function, this book aims to contribute towards identification of plant and algal lines with superior stress resistance and productivity. By addressing agreements and open questions concerning photoprotection’s molecular mechanisms, this book contributes towards development of artificial photosynthetic systems. A comprehensive picture –from single molecules to organisms in ecosystems, and from leading expert’s views to practical information for non-specialists on NPQ measurement and terminology – is presented.

In the modern world, to meet increasing energy demands we need to develop new technologies allowing us to use eco-friendly carbon-neutral energy sources. Solar energy as the most promising renewable source could be the way to solve that problem, but it is variable depending on day time and season. From this side, the understanding of photosynthesis process could be of significant help for us to develop effective strategies of solar energy capturing, conversion, and storage. Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis, annually producing around 100 billion tons of dry biomass. Presently, the detailed studies of photosynthetic system structure make functional investigations of the photosynthetic process available, allowing scientists to construct artificial systems for solar energy transduction. This book summarizes exciting achievements in understanding of photosynthetic structures and mechanisms of this process made by world leaders in photosynthesis field, and contains information about modern ideas in development of revolutionary new technologies of energy conversion. Organized according to the natural sequence of events occurring during photosynthesis, the book includes information of both photosynthetic structures and mechanisms and its applications in bioenergetics issues.

This landmark collective work introduces the physical, chemical, and biological principles underlying photosynthesis: light absorption, excitation energy transfer, and charge separation. It begins with an introduction to properties of various pigments, and the pigment proteins in plant, algae, and bacterial systems. It addresses the underlying physics of light harvesting and key spectroscopic methods, including data analysis. It discusses assembly of the natural system, its energy transfer properties, and regulatory mechanisms. It also addresses light-harvesting in artificial systems and the impact of photosynthesis on our environment. The chapter authors are amongst the field’s world recognized experts. Chapters are divided into five main parts, the first focused on pigments, their properties and biosynthesis, and the second section looking at photosynthetic proteins, including light harvesting in higher plants, algae, cyanobacteria, and green bacteria. The third part turns to energy transfer and electron transport, discussing modeling approaches, quantum aspects, photoinduced electron transfer, and redox potential modulation, followed by a section on experimental spectroscopy in light harvesting research. The concluding final section includes chapters on artificial photosynthesis, with topics such as use of cyanobacteria and algae for sustainable energy production. Robert Croce is Head of the Biophysics Group and full professor in biophysics of photosynthesis/energy at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. Rienk van Grondelle is full professor at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. Herbert van Amerongen is full professor of biophysics in the Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences at Wageningen University, where he is also director of the MicroSpectroscopy Research Facility. Ivo van Stokkum is associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Sciences, at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.