Research Groups

Professor Wendy Flavell of the Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, brings to the consortium an expertise in surface physics, particularly relevant to the design of 'next-generation' solar cells. Her research makes extensive use of world synchrotron sources. Much of this work is aimed at developing an understanding of the link between the electronic structure of a material and its end application, answering questions such as 'how can we make solar cells cheaper and more efficient?', or 'can we use nanoparticles to make better fuel cells?' Joining the SolarCAP team in Wendy's group are Dr Darren Graham and Ms Louise Pogson

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/wendy.flavell/

Facilities

Professor Mike George's group at the University of Nottingham brings to the consortium expertise in organometallic CO2 complexes; photochemical and electrochemical CO2 reduction and in mechanistic and photophysical inorganic chemistry, including excited states, electron/energy transfer and supramolecular photochemistry. Dr Khuong Vuong began work on the SolarCAP project with Mike in January 2009. In April 2010 he accepted an appointment in Australia and we wish him well for the future. James Calladine is replacing Khuong to continue the work.

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/staffaz.php

Facilities

Dr Yimin Chao, RCUK Academic Fellow in Nanosciences at the University of East Anglia provides expertise on the synthesis, functionalisation and characterisation of nanoparticles, which underpins the construction of solar nanocell devices. He succeeds Professor Thomas Nann who has taken up an appointment at the Ian Wark Institute at the University of South Australia. Dr Gaëlle Charron, who began work with Thomas in 2008, is also leaving to take up a permanent lectureship in Paris VII.

We wish Thomas and Gaëlle success in their new ventures and look forward to continuing collaboration. Dr Joseph Wright will be taking over from Gaëlle in September 2010 to continue the research.

http://www.uea.ac.uk/che/yc/

Facilities

Professor Robin Perutz' group at the University of York brings expertise in the activation of small molecules including CO2, photo-induced electron transfer, and the structure and kinetics of reaction intermediates. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis, ultra-fast infra red spectroscopy and matrix isolation, coupled with theoretical techniques are used to understand photoinduced electron-transfer, structure and kinetics of reactive intermediates.

Dr Jacob Schneider joined Robin's group from the University of Rochester USA to work on the supramolecular photochemistry aspects of the SolarCAP Project. In addition, Christopher Windle has joined Robin's team.

http://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/academic/o-s/rperutz/

Facilities

Professor Chris Pickett's group at the Energy Materials Laboratory, University of East Anglia, provides capability in the synthesis of bioinorganic molecules and in molecular/surface electrochemistry and in spectroelectrochemistry. They have particular expertise in mechanistic electron transfer chemistry, small molecule activation and electrocatalysis. Dr Peiyi Li joined Chris' group from the University of Newcastle in September 2008, bringing skills in synthetic supramolecular chemistry and photosensitisers.

http://www.uea.ac.uk/eml/

Facilities

UEA researchers in York - September 2009