The sun’s copious energy is basically captured by two engineering systems: photosynthetic plant cells and photovoltaic cells (PV). Photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy, delivering different types of products such as building blocks, biofuels, and biomass; photovoltaics turn it into electricity which can be stored and used to perform work.
In recent decades, significant progress has been made in the fundamental understanding of light energy harvesting mechanisms in both natural photosynthesis and photovoltaics. Although the investigation methods and the underlying mechanisms for light absorption, charge separation, and charge transport in both areas exhibit many similarities, the interactions between the two research domains remain still limited. By bringing these two worlds closer together, cross-fertilization effects can be expected and stimulated on the levels of fundamental understanding, characterization methodologies, and applications. Novel and exciting lessons are expected to be learned from a cross-disciplinary investigation of the light-harvesting architectures and the interplay with the underlying quantum phenomena such as the roles of the excitonic states and quantum coherence that are starting to be elucidated. Understanding better the way by which natural photosynthetic complexes perform these processes may lead to insight into the design of artificial photosynthetic systems and the development of new technologies for solar energy conversion. A broad variety of bio-inspired concepts and applications are emerging, ranging from light-induced water splitting, Plant Microbial Fuel Cells to hybrid systems. These latter combine photosynthesis and photovoltaics and have great potential in agriphotovoltaic concepts such as the side-by-side arrangement of solar cells and plants, and systems consisting of transparent solar cells which are placed in front or above the plant.
We welcome original research manuscripts, reviews, and mini-reviews dealing with mechanisms, methods, and applications which can contribute to bringing together the worlds of photosynthesis and photovoltaics and stimulate cross-fertilization between these two research communities. We also welcome submissions of Perspectives and Opinion articles with a focus on current challenges, outstanding questions and future directions at the nexus of photosynthesis and photovoltaics.
Areas covered in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Understanding the molecular and physical mechanisms of light absorption, energy transfer, and electron transport in natural photosynthesis and photovoltaics.
- Electron transfer in a bioinspired artificial photosynthetic reaction center.
- Self-assembled photosystems on nanostructures
- Bio-based or bio-inspired concepts and applications for light-to-electricity conversion
- Hybrid harvesting energy systems
- Microalgae and photovoltaic panels
- Use of microfluids and liposome-based systems
- Agriphotovoltaics: combined systems of photosynthesis and photovoltaics
- Advanced characterization methodologies
- Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
The sun’s copious energy is basically captured by two engineering systems: photosynthetic plant cells and photovoltaic cells (PV). Photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy, delivering different types of products such as building blocks, biofuels, and biomass; photovoltaics turn it into electricity which can be stored and used to perform work.
In recent decades, significant progress has been made in the fundamental understanding of light energy harvesting mechanisms in both natural photosynthesis and photovoltaics. Although the investigation methods and the underlying mechanisms for light absorption, charge separation, and charge transport in both areas exhibit many similarities, the interactions between the two research domains remain still limited. By bringing these two worlds closer together, cross-fertilization effects can be expected and stimulated on the levels of fundamental understanding, characterization methodologies, and applications. Novel and exciting lessons are expected to be learned from a cross-disciplinary investigation of the light-harvesting architectures and the interplay with the underlying quantum phenomena such as the roles of the excitonic states and quantum coherence that are starting to be elucidated. Understanding better the way by which natural photosynthetic complexes perform these processes may lead to insight into the design of artificial photosynthetic systems and the development of new technologies for solar energy conversion. A broad variety of bio-inspired concepts and applications are emerging, ranging from light-induced water splitting, Plant Microbial Fuel Cells to hybrid systems. These latter combine photosynthesis and photovoltaics and have great potential in agriphotovoltaic concepts such as the side-by-side arrangement of solar cells and plants, and systems consisting of transparent solar cells which are placed in front or above the plant.
We welcome original research manuscripts, reviews, and mini-reviews dealing with mechanisms, methods, and applications which can contribute to bringing together the worlds of photosynthesis and photovoltaics and stimulate cross-fertilization between these two research communities. We also welcome submissions of Perspectives and Opinion articles with a focus on current challenges, outstanding questions and future directions at the nexus of photosynthesis and photovoltaics.
Areas covered in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Understanding the molecular and physical mechanisms of light absorption, energy transfer, and electron transport in natural photosynthesis and photovoltaics.
- Electron transfer in a bioinspired artificial photosynthetic reaction center.
- Self-assembled photosystems on nanostructures
- Bio-based or bio-inspired concepts and applications for light-to-electricity conversion
- Hybrid harvesting energy systems
- Microalgae and photovoltaic panels
- Use of microfluids and liposome-based systems
- Agriphotovoltaics: combined systems of photosynthesis and photovoltaics
- Advanced characterization methodologies
- Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
