Energy & Environment
Humanity’s current dependence on fossil fuels as a primary energy source, either for electricity, heating or transportation, has led to the unequivocal crisis of climate change, along with many other environmental problems associated with the use of natural resources that satisfy multiple human needs.
It is now time to capitalize on science and technology, wisely and responsibly, to offer sustainable energy alternatives that fit into a circular economy model, while also implementing measures that protect the environment and increase society’s well-being.
Activities
By exploiting the underlying physics of light interactions with matter, a new paradigm in energy conversion and environment protection can be accomplished. In this scope, ICFO continues to develop its green technology portfolio, ranging from:
Photovoltaic systems
ICFO develops solar cell technology based on abundant and non-toxic nanostructured materials (such as organic polymers and quantum quantum dots), providing green electricity along with attractive qualities such as transparency, flexibility, color tunability and lower cost, while also exploring thermo-photovoltaic systems that harvest waste heat.
Solar fuels and CO2 capture & use
Solar energy is also being used to power both the production and storage of green energy carriers, including hydrogen derived from water electrolysis and solar fuels derived from CO2 capture. To this end, ICFO researchers use catalyst-driven electrochemical or photo-electrochemical processes that mimic photosynthesis.
Environmental science
From an environmental perspective, fluorescence-sensitive sensors using micro-fluidics are being developed to detect microorganisms in water, enabling quality control and providing a means for safe water access to society. In addition, nanoscale technology offers surfaces with self-cleaning or antimicrobial properties.
Fundamental energy & environment research
ICFO seeks answers to fundamental research questions such as how a material interacts with light at the atomic level, or how light harvesting and energy storage can be made more efficient. Other questions relate to molecular dynamics in light-harvesting complexes and photo-active proteins, unraveling how photosynthesis works.
Groups
We explore the use of photons to shed light on the process of capturing and converting greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, helping understand the various mechanisms involved.
We employ solution-processed functional nanomaterials to address current challenges in optoelectronics, imaging, sensing and renewable energies.
Our group aims at understanding how changes in light, structure and environment regulate the molecular mechanisms of photoactive (bio)molecular systems.
Our research focuses on the design, implementation and study of new nano-photonic configurations to transform sunlight into other forms of energy
We aim to harness thermal radiation by tailoring light-matter interactions at subwavelength scales.
We study and develop new advanced materials, devices and systems for information and communication technologies, in particular displays, image sensors and cybersecurity.
Research focuses on nanoscale optical fields and single emitters, using advanced experiments where ultra-small (nanotechnology) and ultra-fast (femtosecond spectroscopy) come together.