Center for Soft Photo Electro Chemical Systems (SPECS)

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

Abstract Center for Soft PhotoElectroChemical Systems (SPECS) We propose a new Energy Frontier Research Center—the Center for Soft Photo-Electro-Chemical Systems (SPECS). The SPECS mission is to understand the factors controlling charge and matter transport processes at femtosecond-to-minute timescales, occurring at atomic-to-meso length scales in soft materials, specifically π-conjugated polymers. SPECS will integrate: i) a molecular-scale understanding of charge transfer and interfacial chemical and electrochemical events that underpin efficient energy conversion and energy storage; and ii) the factors that control durability for these low cost and readily scalable materials. The team of proven, diverse, and engaged researchers includes established synthetic, computational, and experimental experts accompanied by state-of-the-art spectroelectrochemical and operando microscopy capabilities in our laboratories and at DOE synchrotron facilities. The SPECS EFRC is a direct response to DOE BES initiatives and Basic Research Needs (BRNs) in the Science for Clean Energy reports (i.e. Liquid Solar Fuels and Next Generation Electrical Energy Storage), Directing Matter and Energy: Five Challenges for Science and the Imagination (December 2007) and Challenges at the Frontiers of Matter and Energy: Transformative Opportunities for Discovery Science (November 2015) reports. By offering a new entry point into energy conversion and energy storage technologies that complements approaches based on mainly inorganic materials interfaced to molecular catalysts, we anticipate that SPECS will synergistically associate with other DOE-funded major programs, e.g.: Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE), Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Bioinspired Light-Escalated Chemistry (BioLEC), and existing multi-PI programs in Solar Photochemistry and Materials Chemistry.
StatusActive
Effective start/end date8/1/227/31/25

Funding

  • University of Arizona: $474,988.00

Fingerprint

Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.