Objective To address the challenges of photon capture and energy conversion, we will investigate solar-driven hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical water splitting. Although the concept is extremely attractive as a method of sustainable fuel production, no single material with acceptable performance, stability, and cost has been found, despite decades of investigation. To address this significant challenge, we will use new concepts and methods, afforded by nanotechnology, to design innovative composite nanostructures in which each component performs specialized functions. These novel nanocomposites will decrease the number of criteria that any single component must meet, thus overcoming the basic materials limitations that have hindered development. Computational studies will be used to assist in the selection of optimal material pairings and a wealth of advanced analytical techniques will be employed to improve the understanding of structure-composition-property relationships. As a final objective, we will use NanoPEC’s innovations to develop a 1 square-centimeter test device that converts solar energy to hydrogen energy with a sustained 10% efficiency and a maximum performance decay of 10% over the first 5,000 hours of operation and a 100 square-centimeter test device with a sustained 7% efficiency and similar stability, representing a performance standard that goes well beyond the state-of-the-art. NanoPEC’s innovative research will redefine the field of photoelectrochemistry and place Europe at the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology research by contributing to leadership in this strategically important area. Fields of science engineering and technologynanotechnologyengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnanocompositesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion Keywords Hydrogen production nanostructured materials photoelectrochemical water splitting solar energy Programme(s) FP7-ENERGY - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Energy Topic(s) ENERGY.2008.10.1.2 - Novel materials for energy applications (Joint Call NMP) NMP-2008-2.6-1 - Novel materials for energy applications (Joint call with Energy) Call for proposal FP7-ENERGY-NMP-2008-1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP - Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE EU contribution € 610 361,00 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Massimiliano Capezzali (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT Netherlands EU contribution € 523 850,00 Address STEVINWEG 1 2628 CN Delft See on map Region West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Delft en Westland Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Roel Van De Krol (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Israel EU contribution € 501 668,00 Address SENATE BUILDING TECHNION CITY 32000 Haifa See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Avner Rothschild (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIWERSYTET WARSZAWSKI Poland EU contribution € 324 270,00 Address KRAKOWSKIE PRZEDMIESCIE 26/28 00-927 WARSZAWA See on map Region Makroregion województwo mazowieckie Warszawski stołeczny Miasto Warszawa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Jan Augustynksi (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data ENI SPA Italy EU contribution € 145 800,00 Address PIAZZALE MATTEI ENRICO 1 00144 Roma See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Cesarini Bonfanti (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITETET I OSLO Norway EU contribution € 220 800,00 Address PROBLEMVEIEN 5-7 0313 Oslo See on map Region Norge Oslo og Viken Oslo Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Andrej Kuznetsov (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data EIDGENOSSISCHE MATERIALPRUFUNGS- UND FORSCHUNGSANSTALT Switzerland EU contribution € 100 106,00 Address UEBERLANDSTRASSE 129 8600 Dubendorf See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Anke Weidenkaff (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO Portugal EU contribution € 273 054,00 Address PRACA GOMES TEIXEIRA 4099-002 Porto See on map Region Continente Norte Área Metropolitana do Porto Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Adelio Mendes (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data