Axalta’s Distinguished Lecture Series at the University of Pennsylvania Features Presentation on Artificial Photosynthesis for Generating Liquid Fuels and Biomass from Water and CO2
Harvard Professor Daniel Nocera Develops Artificial Leaf for
Conversion of Sunlight to Storable Energy
Professor Daniel G. Nocera, the Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy
at Harvard University, was the honored speaker at this year’s Axalta
Distinguished Lecture Series. Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a
leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, sponsored the
event which was hosted by the Department of Chemistry at the University
of Pennsylvania last week. Professor Nocera’s lecture titled, A
Complete Artificial Photosynthesis, explained his breakthrough
research that led to the development of a highly efficient, artificial
device that converts water and carbon dioxide into biomass and liquid
fuels using sunlight.
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Left to right: Dan Nocera, Lecture Speaker and Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy at Harvard University; Ivan Dmochowski, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania; and Barry Snyder, Axalta's Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (Photo: Axalta)
One of the challenges with using solar energy as a source of electricity
is the need for a cost effective method to store the sun’s energy. One
example of energy storage is photosynthesis, the process whereby plants
and other organisms use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide
into biomass that can be used later, as needed, as a source of fuel.
Professor Nocera has mimicked key aspects of this process by creating an
artificial leaf.
“We first invented an artificial leaf that can split water into hydrogen
and oxygen using sunlight,” said Professor Nocera. “We then used a
bio-engineered bacterium to convert carbon dioxide along with the
hydrogen produced from the artificial leaf into biomass and liquid
fuels. The hybrid microbial and artificial leaf operate at unprecedented
solar-to-biomass (10.7%) and solar-to-fuels (6.2%) yields, greatly
exceeding the 1% yield of natural photosynthesis,” stated Professor
Nocera.
“At Axalta, we are committed to delivering innovative new coatings
solutions that beautify and protect our customers’ products,” said Dr.
Barry Snyder, Axalta Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
“Our sustainable coating systems benefit many stakeholders, including
our customers and the communities in which we operate. Professor
Nocera’s pioneering research has the potential to have a tremendous
impact by offering a sustainable source of energy. The translation of
fundamental research to practical application, as embodied in Professor
Nocera’s research, is a key element of the collaboration between Axalta
and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania.”
"The Axalta Distinguished Lecture Series provides great opportunities
for our students and faculty members to interact with some of the most
eminent scholars in the world,” said Gary A. Molander, Department Chair
and Hirschmann-Makineni Professor of Chemistry at the University of
Pennsylvania. “This year, we are delighted to have Professor Nocera
share his breakthrough innovations with us. Professor Nocera’s work
exemplifies the opportunities that exist to use fundamental science to
create new technologies that have broad societal benefits. We look
forward to continued collaboration with Axalta in the years ahead."
Past speakers have included world renowned scientists, including Nobel
Prize laureates William Moerner (Chemistry 2014), Robert Grubbs
(Chemistry 2005), Ahmed Zewail (Chemistry 1999), Steven Chu (Physics
1997), Harold Kroto (Chemistry 1996), Richard Smalley (Chemistry 1996),
George Olah (Chemistry 1994), P.G. de Gennes (Physics 1991), Elias Corey
(Chemistry 1990), Thomas Cech (Chemistry 1989), Donald Cram (Chemistry
1987), Jean-Marie Lehn (Chemistry 1987), John Polanyi (Chemistry 1986),
Yuan Lee (Chemistry 1986), Roald Hoffmann (Chemistry 1981), and Herbert
Brown (Chemistry 1979).
About Axalta Coating Systems – Celebrating 150 Years in the Coatings
Industry
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With 150 years of experience in the
coatings industry, the approximately 12,800 people of Axalta continue to
find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries
better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and
technology. For more information visit axaltacoatingsystems.com
and follow us @Axalta on Twitter
and on LinkedIn.
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