Quantum design of photosynthesis for bio-inspired solar-energy conversion

Photosynthesis is the natural process that converts solar photons into energy-rich products that are needed to drive the biochemistry of life. Two ultrafast processes form the basis of photosynthesis: excitation energy transfer and charge separation. Under optimal conditions, every photon that is ab...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2017-03, Vol.543 (7645), p.355-365
Main Authors: Romero, Elisabet, Novoderezhkin, Vladimir I., van Grondelle, Rienk
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/57
639/766
Bacteria - enzymology
Bacteria - metabolism
Biomimetics - methods
Energy conversion
Energy research
Energy transfer
Energy transformation
Humanities and Social Sciences
Light
Methods
multidisciplinary
Photons
Photosynthesis
Photosystem II Protein Complex - metabolism
Quantum mechanics
Quantum Theory
review-article
Science
Solar Energy
Solar power generation
Studies
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Summary:Photosynthesis is the natural process that converts solar photons into energy-rich products that are needed to drive the biochemistry of life. Two ultrafast processes form the basis of photosynthesis: excitation energy transfer and charge separation. Under optimal conditions, every photon that is absorbed is used by the photosynthetic organism. Fundamental quantum mechanics phenomena, including delocalization, underlie the speed, efficiency and directionality of the charge-separation process. At least four design principles are active in natural photosynthesis, and these can be applied practically to stimulate the development of bio-inspired, human-made energy conversion systems.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/nature22012