Apr 7
Chemistry Majors' Student Comps Talk
'Dyes and Dots: The Chemistry of Harvesting Sustainable Energy'
Energy access shapes civilization, yet climate change caused by the consumption of fossil fuels is putting that very civilization in peril. The sun is one of the only sources of renewable energy that is universally available and is capable of keeping up with our increasing demand, but solar energy must become an economically viable alternative to fossil fuels. Improvements in efficiency, storage, and material cost are crucial for the world’s transition to renewable energy. Dr. Bruce A. Parkinson is one of the most significant contributors to recent developments in emerging photovoltaic technologies, and has led the charge into nascent fields that reimagine the way we harvest and store photons in sunlight. His research ranges from hydrogen fuel generation to nanostructured surface chemistry, but consistently aims to replace current solar technologies. In this talk, we will look specifically at his work on dye- and quantum dot-sensitized solar cells, and examine how the unique properties of these materials may be used to surpass efficiency limits.