Project description
Developing a bio-inspired solution for solar energy collection
In-orbit and space stations have been crucial for a variety of research fields and efforts to expand space exploration and technologies. Recently, they have also become essential for operating and maintaining communication technologies. However, increasing energy demands have hindered further advancement. The EIC-funded APACE project aims to revolutionise space self-sustainability by developing an innovative bio-inspired sunlight-pumped laser that converts diffused natural sunlight into a coherent laser beam, along with a photosynthetic antenna for solar energy collection. This technology could lay the groundwork for advanced solar harvesting systems, potentially enabling in situ fabrication on space stations.
Objective
Creating new technologies towards long-term in space self-sustainability is essential to solve the problem of the increasing energy demand both in space and on Earth. Biology can provide the answer to this challenge, self-sustainability being the defining characteristic of life.
APACE will demonstrate a novel type of bio-inspired sunlight pumped laser, based on photosynthetic complexes, that is capable of upgrading diffuse natural sunlight into a coherent laser beam. In the APACE core strategy, lasing units composed of engineered molecular systems or doped nanocrystals will be attached to a bacteria photosynthetic antenna complex to obtain an engineered photosynthetic antenna. The engineered antennae, dispersed in a polymeric matrix or in solution, will form a supramolecular gain medium, which will be placed in an optical cavity to build a sunlight pumped laser. Bacterial photosynthetic complexes are nanoscale molecular structures with the unique ability to funnel the collected solar energy with almost 100% efficiency. Exploiting these extraordinary properties, the APACE bio-inspired laser will be able to operate under unconcentrated sunlight, with at least two orders of magnitude enhanced efficiency over existing designs. APACE will thus lay the foundation for a novel solar harvesting technology that could ultimately be fabricated in situ on permanent space stations, and that may benefit from a similar scalability as photovoltaic panels. The collected energy can be used for in situ energy production (e.g. hydrogen generation) as well as for wireless power transmission to satellites or to Earth by infrared laser beams.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials nanocrystals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
50121 Florence
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.