Natural Light Harvesting Systems
Structures of the D1D2 Photosystem II Reaction Center (D1D2 PSII RC) (above, PDB structure 3ARC) and the purple bacterial reaction center (below, PDB structure 1AIG). Also shown are their linear absorption spectra (bottom right), revealing the considerably stronger spectral overlap in the Qy region of the D1D2 PSII RC compared to the BRC. Their similar structure and primary charge separation functions motivates comparison studies of these RCs.
Organic Photovoltaics
Recently there have been dramatic increases in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) that have led to the demonstration of >15% power conversion efficiencies (PCE) in cells containing new non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). These systems that have the potential to achieve the long-term vision of supplying ubiquitous, very high efficiency, environmentally friendly and low-cost solar energy conversion devices, filling many of the needs not yet addressed by incumbent technologies. In collaboration with the Forrest Group we are using multidimensional spectroscopies to understand the energy loss mechanisms that currently limit single junction OPV device efficiencies.
