My research focuses on the identification and fundamental understanding of new pathways to produce renewable fuels. Harnessing energy from sunlight to produce solar fuels from the greenhouse gas CO2 is a promising approach to simultaneously produce sustainable solar fuels and combat the increasing atmospheric CO2 levels. Following the biomimicry approach and drawing inspiration from natural processes, my project interfaces highly efficient biocatalysts such as enzymes and microorganisms with abiotic light absorbers to create efficient semi-artificial systems for solar-driven CO2 conversion. A key challenge in the field of semi-artificial photosynthesis is to achieve efficient direct charge transfer across the biocatalyst-material interface. Therefore, in-depth characterization of this interface using techniques across various disciplines is crucial to my project aiming towards more efficient solar fuel production. PhD Supervisors: Prof. Erwin Reisner – Department of Chemistry

Research Topic: Biohybrid Systems for Solar-Driven CO2 Reduction