Energy conversion in natural and artificial photosynthesis

Iain McConnell; Gonghu Li; Gary W. Brudvig

doi:10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.05.005

Energy conversion in natural and artificial photosynthesis

Iain McConnell, Gonghu Li, Gary W. Brudvig

Yale University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article

248 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Modern civilization is dependent upon fossil fuels, a nonrenewable energy source originally provided by the storage of solar energy. Fossil-fuel dependence has severe consequences, including energy security issues and greenhouse gas emissions. The consequences of fossil-fuel dependence could be avoided by fuel-producing artificial systems that mimic natural photosynthesis, directly converting solar energy to fuel. This review describes the three key components of solar energy conversion in photosynthesis: light harvesting, charge separation, and catalysis. These processes are compared in natural and in artificial systems. Such a comparison can assist in understanding the general principles of photosynthesis and in developing working devices, including photoelectrochemical cells, for solar energy conversion.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	434-447
Number of pages	14
Journal	Chemistry and Biology
Volume	17
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.05.005
Publication status	Published - Jan 1 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biochemistry
Molecular Medicine
Molecular Biology
Pharmacology
Drug Discovery
Clinical Biochemistry

Access to Document

10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.05.005

Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Energy conversion in natural and artificial photosynthesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this

McConnell, I., Li, G., & Brudvig, G. W. (2010). Energy conversion in natural and artificial photosynthesis. Chemistry and Biology, 17(5), 434-447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.05.005

@article{219390d2004e46389ea174c2b643caaa,

title = "Energy conversion in natural and artificial photosynthesis",

abstract = "Modern civilization is dependent upon fossil fuels, a nonrenewable energy source originally provided by the storage of solar energy. Fossil-fuel dependence has severe consequences, including energy security issues and greenhouse gas emissions. The consequences of fossil-fuel dependence could be avoided by fuel-producing artificial systems that mimic natural photosynthesis, directly converting solar energy to fuel. This review describes the three key components of solar energy conversion in photosynthesis: light harvesting, charge separation, and catalysis. These processes are compared in natural and in artificial systems. Such a comparison can assist in understanding the general principles of photosynthesis and in developing working devices, including photoelectrochemical cells, for solar energy conversion.",

author = "Iain McConnell and Gonghu Li and Brudvig, {Gary W.}",

year = "2010",

month = jan,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.05.005",

language = "English",

volume = "17",

pages = "434--447",

journal = "Cell Chemical Biology",

issn = "2451-9448",

publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",

number = "5",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Energy conversion in natural and artificial photosynthesis

AU - McConnell, Iain

AU - Li, Gonghu

AU - Brudvig, Gary W.

PY - 2010/1/1

Y1 - 2010/1/1

N2 - Modern civilization is dependent upon fossil fuels, a nonrenewable energy source originally provided by the storage of solar energy. Fossil-fuel dependence has severe consequences, including energy security issues and greenhouse gas emissions. The consequences of fossil-fuel dependence could be avoided by fuel-producing artificial systems that mimic natural photosynthesis, directly converting solar energy to fuel. This review describes the three key components of solar energy conversion in photosynthesis: light harvesting, charge separation, and catalysis. These processes are compared in natural and in artificial systems. Such a comparison can assist in understanding the general principles of photosynthesis and in developing working devices, including photoelectrochemical cells, for solar energy conversion.

AB - Modern civilization is dependent upon fossil fuels, a nonrenewable energy source originally provided by the storage of solar energy. Fossil-fuel dependence has severe consequences, including energy security issues and greenhouse gas emissions. The consequences of fossil-fuel dependence could be avoided by fuel-producing artificial systems that mimic natural photosynthesis, directly converting solar energy to fuel. This review describes the three key components of solar energy conversion in photosynthesis: light harvesting, charge separation, and catalysis. These processes are compared in natural and in artificial systems. Such a comparison can assist in understanding the general principles of photosynthesis and in developing working devices, including photoelectrochemical cells, for solar energy conversion.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77954196565&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77954196565&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.05.005

DO - 10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.05.005

M3 - Review article

C2 - 20534342

AN - SCOPUS:77954196565

VL - 17

SP - 434

EP - 447

JO - Cell Chemical Biology

JF - Cell Chemical Biology

SN - 2451-9448

IS - 5

ER -