effective use of solar power
A team of chemists at Yale is working to increase the nation's energy supply through effective use of solar power under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program for basic research on solar energy utilization.
Direct conversion of sunlight into chemical fuels is vital to overcoming the problem of the day/night variation of the solar resource and to providing solar-derived energy in forms useful for transportation, residential and industrial applications. Researchers at Yale and 12 other institutions will share $12.8 million over three years in the DOE Solar Energy to Chemical Fuels initiative.
"Development of cheap, robust and efficient photocatalytic cells for water cleavage with visible-light power will allow the production of chemical fuels using sustainable and economically viable resources," says project leader Gary Brudvig, professor and chair of Yale's Department of Chemistry. "This has been a goal of photoelectrochemistry research for more than three decades. Our challenge is to improve efficiency of solar energy utilization."
Along with Brudvig, the Yale research team includes the laboratories of chemistry professors Victor Batista, Charles Schmuttenmaer and Robert Crabtree.
The project aims to attach manganese complexes to titanium dioxide nanoparticles in order to develop a system that will efficiently produce renewable fuel using solar energy, according to Brudvig.
DOE's Office of Science selected 27 projects that will focus on fundamental science to support enhanced use of solar energy. Universities and national laboratories in 18 states will conduct the research. Raymond L. Orbach, undersecretary for science, notes: "These projects are part of our aggressive basic research in the physical sciences -- what I call 'transformational science' -- aimed at achieving a new generation of breakthrough technologies that will push the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy sources to levels comparable to petroleum and natural gas sources."
The Yale team expects that the research will provide a comprehensive molecular-level understanding of the structural and dynamical principles to achieve breakthroughs in efficiency of photocatalytic devices.
"This focus on renewable energy will become an increasingly significant goal in future years," says Brudvig. "We hope to have an impact in this area.
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Yale to increase medical and scientific research programs
with acquisition of the Bayer HealthCare complex
Acquisition to expand Yale's economic impact
Milestones in building Yale's medical and scientific research strength
Study shows stem cells curb Parkinson's disease in primatesChina proves 'a great joy' for Yale 'friends from afar'
COMMENCEMENT 2007
With pomp, Yale celebrates its newest graduates
Baccalaureate Address
Honorary Degrees
Outstanding teachers and students are awarded prizes
Former Yale gallery director has been elected an alumni fellow
NASA administrator is appointed University's first CFO
'Lights, cameras and action!' come to campus
Delegations travel to Brazil and Mexico for alumni-hosted events
Initiative seeks to promote effective use of solar power
Air pollution is shown to harm pregnant woman
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Sleep apnea is linked to heart disease and diabetes
Research findings on FMRP protein may lead to . . .
Residents' work-hour reductions not harmful to patients, study says
New radio show offers information, support to cancer patients
Scientific symposium will honor renowned faculty member
Students' research on wood frogs is featured in Peabody exhibit
In Memoriam: Naturalist Charles L. Remington
Performances will showcase talents of young playwrights
New Yale website illustrates the history of slavery in Connecticut
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home