Physics Colloquiums Discuss Harvesting of Solar Energy
In a world thirsty for energy, solar power is becoming increasingly significant as a renewable and clean energy source, with photovoltaics being among the fastest-growing industries in the world. Last week Prof. Raşit Turan, director of the Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (GÜNAM), gave the first talk in the new colloquium series being organized by the Department of Physics. His presentation was an impressive start to the series, with the importance of the topic -- solar energy research -- attracting a very large number of student attendees.
Prof. Turan gave an overview of the application of plasmonics and photonics to the conversion of solar light into energy, with particular reference to the research work of centers such as GÜNAM, which will contribute to advancing this technology in the coming years. He discussed the possibilities of light-trapping by silicon nanowires, with the intent of harvesting solar energy.
This week, the second Physics Colloquium will be given by Prof. David Coker from University College in Dublin. Prof. Coker's talk will also deal with the harvesting of solar energy, but via a different strategy from that presented last week. There has been considerable effort on both the theoretical and experimental sides to mimic the light-harvesting strategy most frequent in nature: photosynthesis. The goal of artificial photosynthesis is to design chemical processes that succeed in trapping light energy and storing it in the form of chemical bonds, which can eventually be converted to other forms when needed.
The challenge of theoretical science in this case is twofold: to understand the microscopic details of natural photosynthesis, and to construct models that can be simulated by a computer to create artificial photosynthetic systems. Professor Coker's research has centered on the theoretical models used in understanding ultrafast non-linear spectroscopic experiments. It is precisely these experiments that give insight into the dynamics of processes such as photosynthesis.
Date: Wednesday, October 17
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: EE-01