Innovative strategy for highly efficient utilization of solar energy
—Exploring novel principles for highly efficient utilization of solar energy—

Leader：Prof. Takashi Morii
Project Period：FY2013 ‒ FY2018

This interdisciplinary research project is aimed to uncover principles that govern highly efficient utilization of solar energy. Four research groups, each based on diff erent disciplines of chemistry, biochemistry, physics and nanotechnology, simultaneously propel the cutting-edge research on the next generation photovoltaic cells, solar fuels,
and biorefi nery. Research topics include novel solar-light energy utilization by nanocarbon materials, one-dimensional carbonbased polymers for energy utilization, assembly of enzymes on molecular switchboards, development and application of methodology to investigate wood biomass utilization by solution NMR, and applications of mid-infrared laser to investigate the excitation states of nanomaterials. Mutual interactions between the research groups provide an ideal environment to incubate the original ideas, which stimulates creation of an innovative paradigm in solar energy utilization technology.