Molecular Photoconversion Devices

The objective of this division is to reduce carbon emissions through cost effective conversion of solar energy to electricity and hydrogen, energy conservation through organic based lighting devices, and development of new materials for surface molecular brushes for low friction technologies. The division’s research projects include new organic materials to convert solar energy into electricity, novel inorganic, organic, and molecular photocatalysts to directly split water into oxygen and hydrogen, new concept molecules as organic light emitting diodes, and new molecules for low friction. The research efforts include unique techniques for the analysis of the interface structure of organic dye and inorganic semiconductors, synthesis of novel molecules for organic light emitters and photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic cells, device fabrication and testing, and theory-based materials development.