The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $22.7 million in basic research projects aimed at improving the capture, conversion and use of solar energy. The research will help increase the amount of solar power in the nation’s energy supply.

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.

K.V. Lakshmi, assistant professor of chemistry and chemical biology, has recieved a grant for her project, "Elucidating the Principles that Control Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Reactions in the Photosynthetic Protein, Photosystem II. A Model for Design of Bio-inspired Photocatalytic Water Splitting."

“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,” Under Secretary for Science Dr. Raymond L. Orbach said.

The projects address two priority technical areas: Conversion of solar energy to electricity, and conversion of solar energy to chemical fuels.

The list of projects can be seen at http://www.doe.gov/news/5079.htm.

Published May 31, 2007