Final Report Summary - BIOSOLENUTI (Bio-inspired solar energy utilisation)
The scope of BIOSOLENUTI project was the research capacity strengthening and development of the Laboratory of BioInorganic Chemistry (LBIC) at the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete in Greece.
This has been accomplished by:
- recruitment of experienced researchers;
- exchange of know-how and experience;
- acquisition / upgrade of research equipment; and
- strengthening of the LBIC status, nationally and internationally, by means of:
a) a website creation and operation (see http://www.biosolenuti.gr online);
b) publications;
c) organisation of an international conference ('First international conference on bioinspired materials for solar energy utilisation') and other dissemination and promotional activities, such as participation in international conferences and workshops, popularisation activities and public lectures.
The up to date implementation of BIOSOLENUTI project contributed to a better integration of the LBIC team into the European Research Area (ERA), by forming new scientific collaborations with other internationally recognised research groups and enhancing the already established collaboration schemes. Besides, the interdisciplinary nature of the project calls itself for networking and collaborations. In addition, it contributed to the solution of the main problems towards ERA, such as reduction of fragmentation, by appointing outstanding transnational scientists of different expertise. Moreover, it assisted the promotion of the access of the European scientific community to a complete set of tools for the affordable development of knowledge based on bioinspired hybrid materials. The researchers appointed in BIOSOLENUTI project have benefited greatly, since they acquired a unique interdisciplinary scientific training and experience. This includes their introduction to a broad range of chemical and physical ideas and techniques, and exposure to a variety of different areas of applications. All the above, inevitably expanded their range of academic contacts and substantially improved their job prospects within the academic sector. The human resources strengthening has also been achieved by research visits of prominent collaborating researchers to LBIC and by secondment visits of the LBIC team members to collaborating research centres in Europe.
The equipment reinforcement of LBIC, accomplished via BIOSOLENUTI project, is noteworthy. The acquisition and upgrade of specialised equipment for physicochemical characterisation and sophisticated and powerful computational resources for theoretical modelling of newly synthesised bioinspired hybrid materials has greatly assisted the LBIC strengthening and development, placing its research capacity at the forefront of this highly competitive research area internationally.
Finally, BIOSOLENUTI project has laid the foundations for the future LBIC strengthening and development by the following. Firstly, by promoting and exploiting the already established links of LBIC with other leading laboratories in Europe. Secondly, by producing new science and technology in the rapidly growing field of new porphyrin based nanostructured hybrid materials. Thirdly, by developing a research infrastructure that will be very important to the university and the region in general. Due to the strongly interdisciplinary nature of BIOSOLENUTI project, LBIC research activities will foster a plethora of diverse and interdisciplinary interactions as well as collaborations between groups that have the appropriate expertise in different scientific fields. In this way, links of LBIC with others may be strengthened and last even longer than this particular project. The latter can be seen as favourable grounds for innovative methods and concepts to emerge in such multidisciplinary fields.
Project context and objectives:
The scope of BIOSOLENUTI project was the research capacity strengthening and development of LBIC at the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete, Greece, by making use of the great opportunities provided by the call in the context of activity: 4.1. 'Unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU's convergence regions and outermost regions - REGPOT-2008-1' of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) 'Capacities' Work Programme: Research Potential.
The current research activity in LBIC is at the forefront of development and characterisation of porphyrin-based hybrid materials. Particularly, LBIC is almost the only laboratory in Greece, and among the very few in Europe, where new porphyrin-based hybrids materials are synthesised. As it will be described below, such materials are highly promising in the quest for biomimetic systems of photosynthesis and offer the potential of utilisation to power up the new generation of solar cells (dye sensitised solar cells).
One of the LBIC's main advantages is its personnel, which consists of excellently trained, qualified and experienced researchers. In addition, the LBIC Director, Prof. Athanassios G. Coutsolelos and Head of the Chemistry Department at the Univeristy of Crete, Greece during 2008-2010) is a former student of Prof. Roger Guilard-Dijon, France and Prof. Karl Kadish-Houston, United States, who are pioneers in the synthesis and electrochemical studies of porphyrin derivatives and editors for one of the leading scientific journals in the porphyrin area of research 'Journal of Porphyrin and Phthalocyanines'.
The LBIC research team has strong, established collaborations with scientists from other research centres in Greece (i.e. Dr Nikos Tagmatarchis-National Research Centre in Athens, Dr Panagiotis Argitis and Dr Polykarpos Falaras-Demokritos Research Centre in Athens) as well as in other European countries (i.e. Prof. D. M. Guldi-Germany, Prof. Daniel Gryko-Poland, Prof. Julia Weinstein-Great Britain, Prof. Sylviu Balaban and Marius Reglier-France, Prof. David McCammat-United States (US), Prof. G. S. Sharma- India). These collaborations cover a variety of different aspects of the current LBIC research activity, including the synthesis and structural and physicochemical characterisation of new hybrid materials, as well as their modelling by theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations. As a result, the highly desirable reinforcement of the research potential in the convergence region of Greece has been achieved and the European objectives for increasing global competitiveness and coherent growth in different and convergent European regions has been met.
The BIOSOLENUTI project led to a substantial strengthening and development of the LBIC laboratory in terms of personnel and equipment but also in terms of the LBIC status at national and international level, as centre of excellent research and provider of know-how. This has been accomplished by the following:
- Recruitment of experienced researchers: The LBIC research team, initially consisted of two senior researchers, was substantially augmented by five new experienced researchers for the duration of the BIOSOLENUTI project. The possibility to recruit nationals living in third counties (repatriation mechanism) was fully exploited in order to have a wider pool of applicants and recruit the best possible experienced researchers.
- Exchange of know-how and experience: The human resources strengthening of the team was further developed by exchange of know-how and experience through research visits of prominent collaborating researchers to LBIC and by secondment visits of the LBIC team members to collaborating research centres in Europe, as well as by interaction with other scientists in the context of conferences and meetings.
- Acquisition / upgrade of research equipment: LBIC has access to the research facilities of the Chemistry Department at the University of Crete and the resources funded by various national and European grants. However, lack of specialised equipment for hands on physicochemical characterisation and study of newly synthesised porphyrine-based hybrid materials resulted in wasting time and resources during the transporting of samples to other research centres. The acquisition and upgrade of research equipment, accomplished via BIOSOLENUTI project, allowed more efficient and complete experimental processing, as well as the production of theoretical data in advance of experimental efforts and of predictive value for the systems of interest. In this manner, the equipment reinforcement enabled LBIC to remain at the forefront of this very competitive area internationally.
- Strengthening of the LBIC status, nationally and internationally, in addition to the above, was achieved through:
i) the organisation of an international conference ('First international conference on bioinspired materials for solar energy utilisation') bringing together the experts in the field forming new collaborations, and promoting exchange of ideas and knowledge;
ii) knowledge sharing by means of a website creation and operation (see http://www.biosolenuti.gr online) and publications as well as other dissemination and promotional activities, such as participation in international conferences and workshops, popularisation activities and public lectures.
The above objectives would result in the 'unlocking and developing of the research potential' of the LBIC in the convergence region of Greece in Crete. They would enable LBIC to remain a leader, internationally, not only in the area of the synthesis of porphyrin-based hybrid materials but of new bioinspired nanostructured materials in general. Furthermore, they would aid LBIC in the effort to form a kernel in the currently developing scheme of a National Roadmap of Research Infrastructure, which is complementary to the European road map for research infrastructure as proposed by the European Strategic Forum for Research Infrastructure (ESFRI).
In addition to the above, the scientific objectives of BIOSOLENUTI project were:
- the preparation of diverse dimeric derivatives with two different porphyrin rings and carboxylate groups as anchoring positions on the TiO2;
- the detailed characterisation of the new porphyrin-based hybrid materials in terms of structure;
- the DFT calculations of the electronic structure of different hybrid systems, the determination of the excited states of relevance to the photoinduced transfer of charge and / or energy and the determination of the mechanism of such processes. The prediction based on theoretical data, of suitable hybrid systems possessing the desired structure-property optimisation, especially the HOMO-LUMO gap;
- the properties evaluation and exploitation of the new porphyrin-based hybrid materials in energy conversion schemes;
- the detailed and integrated knowledge of structure-design properties-optimisation.
The broader targets of BIOSOLENUTI project were:
- the contribution to the design, synthesis and identification of new functional nanosized hybrid materials necessary to increase the wealth and welfare of society;
- the complete study spectroscopic, structural and photophysical study of new bioinspired hybrid materials, models of photosynthetic system and in particular similar systems of the harvesting antennae in nature;
- the development of new protein-porphyrin hybrid systems as electron transfer agents coupling with TiO2 nanoparticles and / or TiO2 surface;
- the development of fundamental knowledge and long-term research into understanding phenomena, mastering processes and developing research tools in the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology;
- the development of a dependable theoretical methodology by which new hybrid systems may be designed in order to optimise the desired properties for innovative energy conversion ?systems, in solar and fuel cells).
BIOSOLENUTI project would contribute significantly to the coordination of high quality research in the following aspects:
- The substantial upgrading of LBIC in terms of i) recruitment of new experienced researchers, ii) training of the existing research staff via collaborations and exchange visits with experts, iii) acquisition of new equipment and upgrade of existing for experimental and theoretical research. As a consequence, the production of excellent quality research in the field of light harvesting by porphyrin-based hybrid materials would occur.
- The implementation of BIOSOLENUTI project would result in a better integration of the LBIC team in the ERA by the formation of new scientific collaborations with other prestigious groups but also on the enhancement of already established collaborating schemes. The interdisciplinary nature of the proposed project (design, theory, synthesis, structure and morphology characterisation etc.) indeed calls itself for networking and collaborations. The methods to be used for the implementation of the project are complementary and if only they are combined the realisation of the aims will be achieved.
- A result of the equipment, personnel and collaboration network upgrading of LBIC would be the increased potential to successfully compete for other FP7 projects, both in the areas specifically supported in FP7, such as Nanosciences, nanobiotechnologies, bioinspired-materials and new production technologies (NMP) and energy conversion, involving cooperation projects as well as training and transfer activities (PEOPLE actions).
- A result of the disseminations activities performed during the BIOSOLENUTI regional potential is the established strong contacts with the region of Crete (Mr Nikos Zografakis, director of RES activities, and Mr K. Strataridakis) as well as the technological Park of Crete (Dr A. Saitakis). The design of new common activities with the Region of Crete and the Technological Park are in progress.
Also as a result of the whole activity of the BIOSOLENUTI project was that the Director A. G. Coutsolelos has been elected as:
- member of European Science Foundation (ESF);
- member of Nanoforum (European nanotechnology consortium);
- member of the 'Green University Consortium' from 2011;
- member of the energy group of regional council of Crete innovation from 2011.
The LBIC research group aspires to contribute to the national efforts for the creation of a roadmap to research infrastructure. Secondly, popularisation activities aimed at the general public but also at secondary school pupils and university students would improve communication with society. Economic gains for the region would result from the dissemination activities and in particular the organisation and holding of an international conference, as well as from the hiring of experienced researchers. A significant benefit to the research community in Greece but also in Europe would result from the repatriation of nationals from third countries, provided that they fulfil the quality criteria.
Project results:
Management
Below you can find the final comments from the scientific committee:
Prof. Daniel Gryko:
The BIOSELENUTTI activity purchased a new MALDI-type spectrometer. This was excellent choice because it fits perfectly to the type of chemistry carried out by Prof. Coutsolelos. Since this is self-use machine it greatly accelerates the speed of research. In addition it can be used by members of other groups in the Chemistry Department. Matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionisation (MALDI) is the best ionisation method as far as porphyrins and other porphyrinoids are concerned. New researchers were recruited in the suitable way. Experienced researchers were chosen from Greeks with experience abroad and various type of professional experience. Altogether over 20 papers have been published during BIOSOLENUTTI action, many of them in top journals. At least half of these papers resulted from new collaborations which were the effect of this programme. The results were also presented during wisely chosen international conferences including for example International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, which is the prime forum to advertise porphyrins-related results.
The international conference organised in September 2011 was a huge success. It gathered many renowned speakers as well as many young researchers from all over the world. In the view of increasing interest in harvesting sun light, and due to the necessity to solve world energy problems, this conference was a timely event. Conference covered a few crucial areas such as basics of electron transfer, dye sensitised solar cells and self-organisation of dyes in natural photosystems.
While looking at BIOSOLENUTTI activity on the international background, one can easily see how timely this research is. It tackles some of the crucial problems, which are elaborated in world top universities (Caltech, Oxford, Kyoto). The development of more efficient dye sensitised solar cells or devising the concept for self-organisation of chromophores active in 'artificial photosythesis' (rather than link them covalently), are hot topics in today's science. I am positive that thanks to BIOSELENUTTI the research activity of Prof. Coutsolelos and his group significantly accelerated and it has chosen the right direction.
Sincerely yours, Prof. Dirk M. Guldi
The major thrust of BIOSOLENUTI was to strengthen the research capacity and to further develop the bioinorganic chemistry laboratory at the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete. To this end, the project leader, that is, Prof. Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, who received his training in the field of porphyrins with two of the pioneers in the synthesis as well the electrochemical studies of porphyrin, that is, Prof. Roger Guilard in Dijon, France and Prof. Karl Kadish in Houston, United States (US), has gathered a remarkably interdisciplinary programme. Most importantly, the research activities of the project leader have led to a plethora of diverse and interdisciplinary interactions. In addition, collaborations with groups that have the appropriate and complementary expertise in key aspects of the current research activities have been pursued. Here, I wish to especially highlight the implementation of scientists from abroad as an integrative part to accomplish most of the highly ambitious BIOSOLENUTI goals. Altogether, it is only through these synergetic collaborations that real 'add-on' values are created. Additional strategic measures include recruitment of experienced researchers, exchange of know-how and experience, acquisition / upgrade of research equipment, organisation of one international conference, creation of a website, and strengthening of the status of the bioinorganic chemistry laboratory on a national and international level. As such, the aforementioned measures were meant to foster and guarantee:
i) scientific breakthroughs,
ii) cutting-edge science,
iii) sustaining the role of the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete as a global scientific leader,
iv) interdisciplinary training, and
v) public outreach.
Reassuring, BIOSOLENUTI combines strategic research with concrete objectives / directions and creative research. In other words, science and innovation secure significant and needed breakthroughs in:
i) the preparation of diverse dimeric derivatives with two different porphyrin rings and carboxylate groups as anchoring positions on the TiO2,
ii) the detailed structural characterisation of the new porphyrin based hybrids,
iii) the DFT calculations of the electronic structure of different hybrids,
iv) the properties evaluation and exploitation of the new porphyrin based hybrids in energy conversion schemes, and
iv) the detailed and integrated knowledge of structure properties optimisation.
The scientific objectives, which comprise cutting edge activities at the forefront of porphyrin based hybrid materials, that is, their design, theory, synthesis, structure, and morphology characterisation etc. are sound and create a highly ambitious work plan. To this end, past and current research activities are a clear documentation that BIOSOLENUTI is on a steep slope of success and clearly on track relative to their commitment in terms of academic training and of scientific accomplishments. With respect to the earlier the academic training of next generation scientists - endowed with unparalleled creativity and brilliant - is a very important task. With respect to the latter, only taken the track record of the project leader is impressive documentation of the overall productivity. Please note that the bioinorganic chemistry laboratory at the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete is the only centre in Greece and amongst the very few in Europe that focus on porphyrin based hybrid materials. From my own perspective, porphyrin based hybrids are highly promising new materials in the quest for biomimetic systems of photosynthesis that will ultimately be integrated into solar cells including dye sensitised solar cells.
Dr Nikos Tagmatarchis:
BIOSOLENUTI project enhanced the Research and technological development (RTD) capacity of the team by training new research personnel and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, the organisation of an international conference for bioinspired materials for energy conversion brought top scientists of the field in close contact with the project leader thus creating new collaborations. Overall, the current REGPOT activity under FP7 was an excellent and beneficial tool to develop new activities in the area of solar energy conversion.
Dr Panagiotis Argitis:
The Bioinorganic Chemistry Laboratory (LBIC) of the University of Crete exploited the opportunities offered by the funding of the BIOSOLENUTI project in a very efficient way by:
a) greatly reinforcing its human resources and infrastructure,
b) initiating successful collaborations with a large number of academic groups locally and worldwide, and
c) bringing together regional authorities responsible for solar energy development projects and academic groups working in the area.
As a member of the external scientific committee for this project, I was quite a few times impressed by the progress presented in each meeting especially the timely acquisition and installation of the equipment, the hiring of competitive researchers to reinforce the team and the networking of the LBIC with top level labs worldwide, which was also reflected in the successful conference organised in September 2011. It is further noticeable that the external collaborations resulted already in a big number of scientific publications as listed in the Report, whereas work initiated during the project is in progress and can further strengthen the status of the Crete team in the area of biomimetic solar energy utilisation. Finally, I would like to emphasise the really positive impact of the project in establishing a close collaboration among teams of the Cretan area working in solar energy research, including teams in other Departments of University of Crete, in the research centre FORTH and in Technology Education Institute of Crete.
Panagiotis Argitis
Director of research
National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', Athens, Greece
Human strengthening, employment:
The selection of the newly recruited personnel was done after advertisement of the posts both at national and international level. The advertisements at different websites were left open in order to ensure a good pool of applicants for the contingency plan (to hire a new applicant), involving the premature departure of the newly-hired experienced researchers. The selection of the researcher was performed after evaluation of the CVs of all the candidates from the PMC committee.
The following contracts were made:
i) Dr Georgios Charalambidis signed a 12-month from the beginning of the programme: 1 May 2009 - 30 April 2010, he is an expert in the synthesis and characterisation of porphyrin compounds.
ii) Dr Theodoros Lazarides signed a 12-month contract: 1 December 2009 - 30 November 2010, he is an expert in Photophysics since he received his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) under the supervision on Prof. M.D. Ward and he also worked as postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Richard Eisenberg.
iii) Dr Chkounda Mohammed Kalem signed a 12-month contract in 21 January 2010. The contract of Chkounda Mohammed Kalem was terminated in 21 February2010. The reason was that he had problems to obtain his visa. The contribution of the already hired researchers to the programme was excellent and for this reason their contracts were renewed:
iv) Dr Georgios Charalambidis signed a 24-month contract: 1 May 2011 - 30 April 2012.
v) Dr Theodoros Lazarides signed a 12-month contract: 1 December 2010 - 30 November 2011. Upon the termination of the contract of Dr Theodoros Lazarides, he elected as a Lecturer in the University of Ioannina.
vi) Also a new researcher Kumar Manas Panda was employed for onr year: 1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012, he is an expert in synthesis of inorganic compounds and performing theoretical calculations (DFT). vii) Finally, Christina Stangel was employed for 5 months: 1 May 2010 - 30 July 2010 and 1 September 2010 - 31 October 2010, she is a PhD student and after that period she obtained a fellowship from Greek ministry of education for her PhD studies.
After advertisement of the positions in various websites three new researchers were employed:
vii) Leonidas Mouchliadis signed a contract for one year: 1 November 2011 - 30 April 2012, he is an expert in performing theoretical calculations with several publications in prestigious journals.
viii) Eleutherios Ferentinos had a contract for six months: 1 November 2011 - 30 April 2012, he is an expert in structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of transition metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) complexes with chelate imidodiphosphinic ligands.
ix) Panagiotis Agaridis was also employed for six months: 1 November 2011 - 30 April 2012, he is an expert in inorganic chemistry since he received his PhD under the supervision on Prof. F. Albert Cotton and he also worked as postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Vincent Pecoraro.
After the extension of the programme the contracts of three researchers were renewed:
x) The contract of Kumar Manas Panda renewed for another three months: 1 April 2012 - 30 June 2012
xi) The contract of Georgios Charalambidis renewed for another five months: 1 June 2012 - 1 October 2012
xii) The contract of Panagiotis Agaridis was also renewed for another two months: 1 September - 31 October 2012
Materials resources upgrade / acquisition:
We proceeded with the purchase of:
- a MALDI time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer from Bruker;
- a mini t apparatus for lifetime measurements with the peripheral units;
- a Gas-chromatography apparatus for hydrogen detection;
- a fluoremeter for solid and solution samples at room as well as at low temperatures, fully equipped with cells, samplers;
- two servers for DFT theoretical calculations and for monitoring and backup of all the data of our apparatus.
For all purchases the special research account of the University of Crete applied all the typical practices that were followed, such as:
i) formation of a three-member committee responsible for the purchase,
ii) solicitation of offers,
iii) collection of three offers according to the required specifications,
iv) selection of the best offer,
v) approval by the administration of the special research account of the University of Crete and
vi) making the order.
We also updated the existed equipment of our laboratory:
- the cyclic voltammetry kit apparatus with new electrodes, cells, software in order to run spectroelectrochemistry experiments;
- the X-ray machine with software updates, a goniometer and a computer;
- the MALDI TOF with special software packages for treatment on the databases;
- the equipment of our ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectrometers and mini t with cells and laser with different wavelength;
- the equipment of the laboratory with small apparatus. Moreover, we have proceeded with the purchase of peripheral units for the previously bought computing system as well as for the other major equipment.
Use of new personnel:
The new personnel developed expertise in the new equipment purchased, as well as in acquiring new knowledge in group meetings of LBIC and especially in their visits.
A technician from Bruker company made a training (15 December 2009 - 18 December 2009) to the members of the LBIC Lab for the new purchased MALDI-TOF.
Also Prof. Athanassios Coutsolelos and Dr Georgios Charalambidis visited for one week (6 - 12 July 2010) Bruker Daltonics company for MALDI-TOF training, in Bremen, Germany.
Both training visits had significant beneficial results to the projects as well as the operation of the new equipment.
Visits to collaborative laboratories:
21 - 27 March 2010, visit at the Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille, Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III (Lab of Prof. Thierry Tron), Marseille, France, (Lazarides).
24-30 April 2010, visit at the Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences (Lab of Prof. Daniel Gryko), Warsaw, Poland, (Charalambidis).
21 - 27 March 2010, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille, France, (T. Lazarides). 24 - 30 April 2010, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, (G. Charalambidis).
19 - 25 June 2010, Chemistry Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK), (T. Lazarides).
13 - 19 February 2010, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, (G. Charalambidis)
30 March - 3 April 2011, visit to Lausanne at Prof. Michael Gratzel, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, (A.G. Coutsolelos)
30 March - 2 April 2011 , visit to Lausanne at Prof. Michael Gratzel, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, (K. Ladomenou)
3 - 6 April 2011, visit to Sheffield at M. D. Ward, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK (A. G. Coutsolelos)
8 - 14 May 2011, at Prof. Dr Teodor S. Balaban, Un. Paul Cézanne, Marseille, France, (G. haralambidis)
2011 July 23-30, visit to Marseille at T. Tron (T. Lazarides).
8 - 14 May 2011, at Prof. Dr Teodor S. Balaban, Universite Paul Cézanne, Marseille, France, (G. Charalambidis)
24 - 27 April 2012, Paris Saclay CEA Saclay, iBiTec-S, France, (A. G. Coutsolelos).
15 - 28 January 2012, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, (G. Charalambidis)
1 - 5 March 2012, Jaipur, R & D Centre, Jaipur Engineering College, Kukas, Jaipur, India, (A. G. Coutsolelos)
17-20 May 2012, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw, Poland, (A. G. Coutsolelos)
20-21 June 2012, Erlangen, Germany (Prof. D.M. Guldi), (A. G. Coutsolelos)
17-20 May 2012, Darmstadt, STOE company, Germany (A. G. Coutsolelos).
Visits of collaborators to LBIC lab:
February - June2010, Sofia Sadelli and Alexandra Vuillamy from Marseille, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques (Marseille, France), 'Porphyrin Complexes for DSSC'
27-30 May 2010, Dr Eugen Stulz MRSC, School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
13-21 July 2010, visit of Agnieszka Nowak-Król (from The Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland)
24-28 January 2011, Dr Ursa Opara Krasovec and Marija Drev, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of electrical engineering, Trzaska 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
4 - 16 July 2011, Dr T. Tron visited the LBIC
4 - 16 July 2011 Mathias Brust Department of Chemistry, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK
2012 April-June Petra Muri from University of Nova Gorica, School of Environmental Sciences (Slovenia), Porphyrin Complexes for DSSC applications'
May 2012 - two weeks, Anita Janiga from University of Warsaw, Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 'Corrole Complexes with diphenylalanine'
2012 June - two weeks Maria Medel from University of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Departamento de Quimica Organica, 28049-Madrid. Spain, 'Phthalocyanine Complexes with diphenylalanine'
12 - 17 July 2012, Prof. G. D. Sharma R&D Centre for Engineering and Science, Jaipur Engineering College, Kukas, Jaipur (Raj.) 303101, India
25 - 28 March 2012 Dr Antonio Manetto, Baseclick Ltd, Head of Research and Development, Leiter Forschung und Entwicklung, Germany
7 - 12 July 2012 Dr Jan Janzen Samso Energy Agency, SEA Strandengen 1, 8305 Samso, Denmark.
Potential impact:
It is expected as a final result of BIOSOLENUTI that the research capacity and further development of LBIC has been greatly strengthened by:
i) promoting links between the LBIC research group and the leading laboratories in Europe through the extensive established scientific collaborations the team leader holds as well as the new ones that will be established,
ii) producing new science and technology in the rapidly growing field of porphyrin-based nanostructured hybrid materials, and
iii) developing research infrastructure of importance to the research centre and the region in general.
Due to the strongly interdisciplinary nature of BIOSOLENUTI project, research activities of LBIC led to a plethora of diverse and interdisciplinary interactions as well as collaborations between groups that have the appropriate expertise in different scientific fields. In this way, links between LBIC and other research groups have been strengthened and are expected to last longer than this particular project. The outlook for LBIC is encouraging, especially in terms of enhanced opportunity for expansion of the activities to research problems of current interest not only in the area of porphyrin chromophores but also to make contributions in research areas requiring treatment of related phenomena (e.g. solar cells, fluorescent sensors, organic electronics, OLEDS, and biological applications). The outlook for future research along these lines is very promising.
The need for enhanced research activity in the area of dye sensitised solar cells, where the sustainable added value of BIOSOLENUTI will lie mainly, includes the quest for affordable and environmentally friendly energy sources. The total annual global energy consumption is predicted to double from its current level (14 TW) by 2050 and triple by the end of the century. Energy is a fundamental prerequisite to economic stability and its supply at an affordable cost cannot be guaranteed. Increased use of fossil fuels would in any case produce unacceptable levels of CO2, bringing global warming accompanied by disastrous effects. Apart from solar energy, shortfall can only be made up by wind and nuclear energy. However, these would be unable to satisfy the expected increased energy needs, while they will not readily yield stored fuels. Even though solar energy is plentiful, there lies a problem in harnessing it. Nature for billions of years has perfected in photosynthesis, a highly efficient and flexible means of harnessing solar energy. Thus, considerable research interest has been directed towards the creation of artificial solar energy conversion systems that will allow in the long run for a stable and sustainable energy supply. Photoinduced charge separation is the primary step in photosynthesis. In natural systems, light-induced charge separation is achieved through a unique special arrangement of the pigments and elements of the transport chain. Electronic excitations that reach the reaction centres are converted to chemical energy in the form of charge separation across the photosynthetic membrane. In these organised arrays, electrons flow rapidly over short distances with negligible loss of energy. The photosynthesis in plans is a source of inspiration for scientists to engineer non-natural systems that similarly convert light into chemical potential electrical energy. Similar processes occur in artificial photoactive and redox-active molecular donor units linked to acceptors. Such systems are considered as promising for the application in molecular and supramolecular electronics, light harvesting and photocatalysis. Molecular donor-acceptor combinations also find applications in organic and polymer photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy. In this context, it is of paramount importance to combine a high rate for charge separation with a low rate for charge recombination. For this purpose multichromatic arrays have been designed in which the initial photoinduced separation is followed by charge migration reactions along a well-defined redox gradient that ultimately provides the spatial separation of the photogenerated charges, which is essential to lower the rate for charge recombination.
The following recommendations based on the above considerations can be made: As the cost of energy and need for energy increases, development of new approaches to harness renewable sources is an important target of international interest. Within such a highly competitive global context, Europe's position still needs to be strengthened in the area of research activities related to nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and production of new technologies as well as to energy. The 21st century competitiveness of European industry will largely depend on new knowledge and new ways of integrating and exploiting this knowledge. Europe can benefit:
i) from its recognised leadership in specific fields (synthesis of hybrid materials) and
ii) from bringing specialists in different disciplines together.
New developments will rely on novel functional materials and our abilities to model their physical properties in advance, prior to their creation. This requires a fundamental understanding, down to the molecular level, of the chemical and physical properties of the materials employed in device manufacturing and accordingly research funding should be directed towards these objectives.
A number of promotional activities were performed in order to increase the impact of the project and to bring bio-nanoscience closer to the society. The objectives of these promotional / dissemmination activities were:
(a) promotion of the general knowledge in nanoscience and nanotechnology at National level,
(b) creation of cooperative synergistic interactions and networking with nanoscience-directed prestigious labs and stakeholders nationally and in Europe and
(c) dissemination of the project results.
All the above objectives were fulfilled with very significant results highlighted in the large number of important publications and presentations.
Collaboration with local and international companies:
Global-Energy Solutions: info@global-energy.eu
Infitheon technologies: http://www.infitheon.com/
ETAM sa website: http://www.etam.gr
Concept SA an affiliate of 'Samaras - Co': http://www.e-concept.gr
Ecowatt Hellas: http://www.ecowatt.gr
Baseclick GmbH: http://www.baseclick.eu
Creation and maintenance of a website:
The website for the BIOSOLENUTI programme was created and operated at the following link http://www.biosolenuti.gr The website was updated in frequent periods.
Media presentations and popularisation activities:
i) Various articles were published at the local as well as national newspapers (Tolmi, Patris, Mesogeios, Naftemporiki, Elefterotypia, Rethymniotika Nea, Kathimerini and many others (copies are available at http://www.biosolenuti.gr online).
ii) 15 January 2010, first meeting of the scientific committee (open to the public, journalists) at Chemistry Department, University of Crete.
iii) 27 April 2010, INRES, International-Regional Workshop, Crete in collaboration with Region of Crete-Energy Centre, the Scientific and Technological Park of Crete and TEAB Creta Maris a.e.
iv) 14 May 2010, evening event 'Chemistry and industry in Crete' in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry and the Scientific and Technological Park of Crete.
v) 24 September 2010, workshop 'Rechercher night' by the Scientific and Technological Park of Crete and the Natural Museum of Crete.
vi) 19 November 2010, workshop 'Collaborations for the promotion of regional innovation in islander regions'.
vii) 7 - 9 April 2011, third meeting of the scientific committee
viii) 16 September 2011 workshop 'Renewable energy sources: Industry-academia cooperation', Chania, Greece
ix) 9-20 July 2012, first summer school, BiMaSoUti, Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation
x) Fourth meeting of the scientific committee, September 2011 (Chania)
xi) Final meeting of the scientific committee, October 2012 (Heraklion)
Publications:
1. 'Naked' (Mn3O)7+ Triangles: The Effect of Auxiliary Ligands on Magnetic Exchange
Efi Manolopoulou, Constantinos C. Stoumpos, Milosz Siczek, Tadeusz Lis, Euan K. Brechin, Constantinos J. Milios
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 483-489 (2010)
2. A Synthetic Approach of New trans-substituted hydroxylporphyrins
Dimitra Daphnomili, Maria Grammatikopoulou, Cathrine Raptopoulou, G. Charalambidis, Theodore Lazarides, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications, article ID 307696, 6 pages (2010).
3. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of novel model compounds for cytochrome c oxidase
Kalliopi Ladomenou, Georgios Charalambidis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganica Chimica Acta (invited paper) 363, 2201-2208, (2010)
4. Self-assemply into sphere of a hybrid diphenylalanine-porphyrin: increased fluorescence lifetime, conserved electronic properties
G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, T. Lazarides, A. Mitraki, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Chemistry-A European Journal, 77, 7213-7219 (2011) - inside cover.
5. DNA-Interaction and nuclease activity of porphyrin-hydroxamic acid derivatives in the presence of lanthanides
Marie-Cécile Chalbot, Leonidas Gryllos, Kosmas Kefokeris, Nikos Manoussakis, Catherine Verchère-Béaur, Martine Perrée-Fauvet, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Porphyrin and Phthalocyanines (invited paper for 65th anniversary of Prof. K. Kadish), 15, 704-717, (2011)
6. Novel zinc porphyrin with phenylenevinylene meso-substituents: Synthesis and application in dye-sensitised solar cells
J. A. Mikroyannidis, G. Charalambidis, A. G. Coutsolelos, P. Balraju, G. D. Sharma Journal of Power Sources, 196, 6622-6628 (2011).
7. Aqueous-Organic Biphasic Hydrogenation of trans-Cinnamaldehyde Catalysed by Rhodium and Ruthenium Phosphane-Free Porphyrin Complexes
Christina Stangel, Georgios Charalambidis, Varvara Varda, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, Ioannis D. Kostas
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 4709-4716 (2011).
8. Promising fast energy transfer system via an easy synthesis: Bodipy-porphyrin dyads connected via a cyanuric chloride bridge, their synthesis, electrochemical and photophysical investigations
Theodore Lazarides, Georgios Charalambidis, Alexandra Vuillamy, Emmanuel Klontzas
Georgios Froudakis, Susanne Kuhri, Dirk M. Guldi, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganic Chemistry, 50, 8926-8936 (2011)
9. Direct and indirect excitons in semiconductor coupled quantum wells in an applied electric field
K. Sivalertporn, L. Mouchliadis, A. L. Ivanov, R. Philp, E. A. Muljarov
Physical Review B, 85, 045207 (2012)
10. N@C60-porphyrin: a dyad of two radical centres
Guoquan Liu, Andrei N. Khlobystov, Georgios Charalambidis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, G.
Andrew D. Briggs, and Kyriakos Porfyrakis
Journal of American Chemical Society, 134, 1938-1941 (2012).
11. A new family of A2B2 type porphyrin derivatives: Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterisation and their Application in Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell.
Manas Panda, G. D. Sharma, K.R. Justin Thomas, A. G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Material Chemistry, 22, 8092-8102 (2012).
12. Electron vs Energy Transfer in Arrays Featuring Two Bodipy Chromophores Axially Bound to a Sn(IV) Porphyrin via a Phenolate or Benzoate Bridge
Theodore Lazarides, Susanne Kuhri, Georgios Charalambidis, Manas K. Panda, Dirk M. Guldi , Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganic Chemistry, 51, 4193-4204 (2012).
13. Carbon Nanohorn-Porphyrin Dimer Hybrid Material for Enhancing Light-Energy Conversion.
Georgia Pagona, Galateia E. Zervaki, Atula S. D. Sandanayaka, Osamu Ito, Georgios Charalampidis, Taku Hasobe, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, and Nikos Tagmatarchis
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 116, 9439-9449 (2012)
14. Noble metal porphyrin derivatives bearing carboxylic groups: Synthesis, photophysical and physicochemical characterisation
Christina Stangel, Dimitra Daphnomili, Theodore Lazarides, Marija Drev, Ura Opara Kraovec, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Polyhedron, in press (2012) (special issue of dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Professor Alfred Werner)
15. Synthesis, RNA binding and nuclease activity of porphyrin-hydroxamic acid derivatives in the presence of lanthanides
Maria Marketaki, Eleftherios Touloupakis, Georgios Charalambidis, Demetrios F. Ghanotakis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Porphyrin and Phthalocyanines, 16, 997-1005 (2012)
16. Mesosubstituted porphyrin derivatives via Palladium-catalyzed amination showing wide range visible absorption: Synthesis and photophysical studies
Kalliopi Ladomenou, Theodore Lazarides, Manas K. Panda, Georgios Charalambidis, Dimitra Daphnomili, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganic Chemistry, 51, 10548-10556 (2012)
17. General and efficient protocol for formylation of aromatic and heterocyclic phenols. Kamil Skonieczny, Georgios Charalambidis, Mariusz Tasior, Maciej Krzeszewski, Ayfer Kalkan-Burat, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, Daniel T. Gryko
Synthesis, 44, 3683-3687 (2012)
18. Porphyrins in Bio-inspired Transformation: Light-Harvesting to Solar Cell. Manas Panda, K. Ladomenou, and A. G. Coutsolelos
Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 256, 2601-2627 (2012)
19. Photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of a series of porphyrin dye bearing a different number of pyridyl groups
Dimitra Daphnomili, Giorgos Landrou, Surya Prakash Singh, Anup Thomas, Kada Yesudas, Bhanuprakash K., G. D. Sharma, A. G. Coutsolelos
RSC Advances, 2, 1289-12908 (2012)
20. Photoinduced Charge Transfer in Porphyrin-Cobaloxime andCorrole-Cobaloxime Hybrids
Katrin Peuntinger , Theodore Lazarides , Dimitra Daphnomili , Georgios Charalambidis , Giorgos Landrou , Axel Kahnt , Randy Sabatini , David McCamant, Daniel Tomasz Gryko , Athanassios Georgios Coutsolelos, Dirk M. Guldi
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 117, 1647-16565 (2013
21. Synthesis, Characterisation and Electronic Properties of trans-(4-(Alkoxycarbonyl)phenyl)porphyrin-(RuII(bpy)3)2 Complexes or Boron-Dipyrrin Conjugates as Panchromatic Sensitizers for DSSCs
Christina Stangel,Kalliopi Ladomenou, Georgios Charalambidis, Manas K. Panda, Theodore Lazarides, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, in press (2013)
22. A new porphyrin bearing a pyridinylethynyl group as sensitizer for dye sensitised solar cells
Dimitra Daphnomili, G. D. Sharma, S. Biswas, K. R. Justin Thomas, and A. G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Photophysical & Photobiology A: Chemistry, in press (2013)
23. Visible Light-Driven O2 Reduction by a Porphyrin-Laccase System
Theodore Lazarides, Igor Sazanovich, A. Jalila Simaan, Maria - Chrisanthi P. Kafentzi, Milan Delor, Yasmina Memouche, Bruno Faure, Marius Réglier, Julia Weinstein, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, Thierry Tron
Journal of American Chemical Society, in press (2013)
24. CO and O2 binding studies of new model complexes for CcO
Kaliopi Ladomenou, Georgios Charalambidis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Polyhedron, accepted (2013)
25. Femtosecond Switching of Magnetism via Strongly Correlated Spin - Charge Quantum Excitations
T. Li, A. Patz, L. Mouchliadis, J. Yan, T. A. Lograsso, I. E. Perakis, and J. Wang
Nature, accepted (2013)
Organisation of an international conference:
We organised with great success the '1st International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation' in Chania, Crete during 12-17 September 2011. The scientific committee of BIOSOLENUTI was very pleased that top names and pioneer researchers in the field accepted the invitation to BIOSOL2011. The conference was well-attended featuring more than 100 participants and invited speakers, well-known in the field of research with new materials from Greece, Europe, Japan, China and the United States. Interest in the conference was lively from the first to the last day of the session. Professor M. Graetzel (who attended the conference as a keynote speaker) had two nominations, one for the Physics Nobel Prize and one for the Chemistry. Prof Richard Eisenberg, editor of Inorganic Chemistry (American Chemical Society) and Prof. Harry Gray a giant on Bionorganic Chemistry, Arnold O. Beckman Professor of Chemistry, Beckman Institute was also between the keynote speakers. Between the keynotes we were also glad to have between us:
Balaban Silviu T., Universite Paul Cezanne, Marseille, (France)
Bernhard Stefan, Carnegie Mellon University, (USA)
Constable Edwin, The University of Basel, (Switzerland)
Falaras Polykarpos, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, (Greece)
Fukuzumi Shunichi, Ozaka University, (Japan)
Guldi Dirk M., Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, (Germany)
Gryko Daniel, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw (Poland)
Hasobe Taku, Keio University, (Japan)
Hupp Joseph, Northwestern University, (USA)
Imahori Hiroshi, Kyoto University, (Japan)
Kymakis Emmanuel, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, (Greece)
Lianos Panagiotis, University of Patras, (Greece)
Logothetidis Stergios, University of Thessaloniki
Majima Tetsuro, Osaka, (Japan)
Papaconstantinou Elias, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, (Greece)
Privalov Timofei, Stockholm University, (Sweden)
Ward Michael D., University of Sheffield, (UK)
Sun Licheng, Royal Institut of Technology, (Sweden)
Torres Tomas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, (Spain)
Tron Thierry, Universite Paul Cezanne, Marseille, (France)
Vullev Valentine I., University of California, (US)
Weinstein Julia, University of Sheffield, (UK)
BIOSOLENUTI covered expenses - travelling, accommodation and registration fees - for the invited speakers as well as the members of LBIC, the newly hired researchers for BIOSOLENUTI. The SC was grateful to the BIOSOLENUTI new-hired experienced researchers for the excellent organisation of the conference. The abstracts of the BIOSOL2011 conference were accumulated and presented to the attendees of the conference in electronic form. The abstracts contained all the scientific work presented in BIOSOL2011. Active participation of LBIC researchers in international conferences and workshops of the field:
1) 10th International Meeting in Inorganic Chemistry, Palermo, Italy, 1-4 July 2009, Design and synthesis of super-structured porphyrin as building blocks for new materials, studies and applications, Coutsolelos A.G. Charalambidis G., Ladomenou K.
2) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Synthesis of novel materials with porphyrin-pyrene/ferrocene-carbon nanotubes for photovoltaic applications, Charalambidis G., Skondra A., Karousis N., Economopoulos S., Tagmatarchis N., Coutsolelos A.G.
3) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of novel model compounds for cytochrome c oxidase, Ladomenou K., Charalambidis G., Coutsolelos A.G.
4) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Synthesis and study of new dimer-porphyrin derivatives for application in photonic systems, Zervaki G., Charalambidis G., Coutsolelos A.G.
5) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Synthesis of new porphyrinic derivatives in applications to homogeneous catalysis in water, C. Staggel, A.G. Coutsolelos, I.D. Kostas
6) 16th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-16 July 2009, Synthesis of novel porphyrin-pyrene/ferrocene-single walled carbon nanotube triads for photovoltaic applications, Charalambidis G., Skondra A., Karousis N., Economopoulos S., Tagmatarchis N., Coutsolelos A.G.
7) 16th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-16 July 2009, Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of novel model compounds for cytochrome c oxidase, Ladomenou K., Charalambidis G., Coutsolelos A.G.
8) 3rd Greek Symposium in Organic Synthesis, Athens, Greece, 15-17 October 2009, Aqueous biphasic catalysis by transition metal complexes with new porphyrins, I.D. Kostas, C. Staggel, A.G. Coutsolelos
9) International Conference on Carbon Nanostructured Materials, Santorini, Greece, 4-8 October 2009, Synthesis of novel porphyrin based hybrid materials for photovoltaic applications, Charalambidis G., Skondra A., Ladomenou K., Karousis N.,Economopoulos S., Tagmatarchis N., Coutsolelos A.G.
10) Week of Innovative Regions in Europe, Granada, Spain, 15-17 March 2010, Coutsolelos A.G.
11) XXIV Panhellenic Conference on Solid State Physics and Materials Science, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, September 21-24, 2009, Photoelectrochemical Solar Cells of Nanostructured Thin Films Composed of Carbon Nanohorn-Porphyrin (CNH-H2P), G. Pagona, T. Hasobe, G. Charalambidis, A.G. Coutsolelos, N. Tagmatarchis
12) 3rd Hellenic Symposium in Organic Synthesis, Athens, Greece,15 October 2009, Novel conjugates of carboxylated porphyrins with cyclodextrins for biological applications, C. Aggelidou, T.A. Theodossiou, C. Staggel, G. Velegraki, A.G. Coutsolelos, I.M. Mavridis, K. Yannakopoulou
13) EUROBIC 10, Thessaloniki, Greece, 22-26June 2010, Synthesis and characterisation of Bio inspired materials for solar energy utilisation, A.G. Coutsolelos
14) 3rd Greece-Cyprus Graduate Student Conference, Paralimni, Cyprus, 23-26 June 2010, Synthesis and characterisation of precursors for hybrid materials based on porphyrinn-graphene, A. Mantalidi, G. Charalambidis, V. Binas, P. Trikalitis, A.G. Coutsolelos
15) Sixth International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-6), New Mexico, US, 4-9 July 2010, Novel hybrid materials based on porphyrin dimers for photovoltaic applications, K. Ladomenou, G. Charalambidis, G.E. Zervaki , G. Pagona, N. Tagmatarchis, A. G Coutsolelos
16) Sixth International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-6), New Mexico, US, 4-9 July 2010
Synthesis of metal (Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt) / porphyrin complexes with applications in aqueous biphasic catalysis, G. Charalambidis, C. Staggel, I.D. Kostas, A.G. Coutsolelos
17) 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Valencia, Spain, 6-17 September 2010, Synthesis of novel porphyrin dimers for photovoltaic applications, A.G. Coutsolelos, G.E. Zervaki, G. Pagona, G. Charalambidis, K. Ladomenou, N. Tagmatarchis
18) Fullerene Silver Anniversary Symposium, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 4-10 October 2010, Spin-spin interactions between endohedral nitrogen fullerenes and a spin-active porphyrin, G. Liu, A.N. Khlobystov, G.A.D. Briggs, G. Charalambidis, A.G. Coutsolelos, K. Porfyrakis
19) 8th Hellenic Polymer Society Symposium, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 4-10 October 2010 (Best Poster Award), Synthesis and characterisation of a multicomponent nanostructured system of porphyrin polymer and gold nanoparticles, M. Kaliva, G.E. Zervaki, G. Charalambidis, A.G. Coutsolelos, M. Vamvakaki
20) Workshop on Asymmetric Synthesis, Athens, Greece, 4-10 October 2010, Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde in aqueous biphasic system catalysed by (Ru,Rh)/porphyrin, C. Staggel, I.D. Kostas, A.G. Coutsolelos
21) 11th Panhellenic Symposium on Catalysis, Athens, Greece, 22-24 October 2010, Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde in aqua/organic biphasic system with porphyrins, C. Staggel, I.D. Kostas, A.G. Coutsolelos
22) First EuCheMS Inorganic Division, Manchester, UK, 11-14 April 2011, Synthesis of novel porphyrin sensitisers for solar cell applications, K. Ladomenou, G. Charalambidis, D. Daphnomili, A.G. Coutsolelos
22) European-Materials Research Society ICAM IUMRS 2011 Spring Meeting, Nice, France, 10-12 May 2011, Bioinspired organic photovoltaics: 'Light Harvesting', E. Stratakis, A.G. Coutsolelos
23) Third IC4N 2011, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 26-30 June 2011, Designer Bioinspired Chromophores for solar energy utilisation and H2 production, A.G. Coutsolelos
24) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Water-soluble porphyrin thin films as electron injection layers in organic light emitting diodes, M. Vasilopoulou, A. M. Douvas, D. G. Georgiadou, L. C. Palilis, P. Argitis, A. Mantalidi, T. Lazarides, A. G. Coutsolelos
25) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Carbon nanohorns and dimer porphyrin conjugates in a photoelectrochemical cell construct. Preparation, characterisation and photophysical properties evaluation, G. Pagona, G. E. Zervaki, A. S. D. Sandanayaka, T. Hasobe, A. G. Coutsolelos, N. Tagmatarchis
26) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Synthesis and photophysical studies of a porphyrin- ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) complex for potential use in DSSCs, C. Stangel, G. Charalambidis, T. Lazarides, A. G. Coutsolelos
27) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Bodipy-Porphyrin Dyads Connected via a Cyanuric Chloride Bridge: Synthesis, Electrochemical and Photophysical Study, T. Lazarides, G. Charalambidis, A. Vuillamy, M. Reglier, E. Klontzas, G. Froudakis, S. Kuhri, D. M. Guldic, A.G. Coutsolelos
28) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, An Array of Chromophores consisting of Porphyrin and Bodipy linked via a Sn(IV) metal center: Structure, Electrochemistry, Photophysics and Theoretical Study, T. Lazarides, M. K. Panda, G. Charalambidis, S. Kuhri, D. M. Guldi, A. G. Coutsolelos
29) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Synthesis of porphyrin-based sensitizers for solar cell applications, K. Ladomenou, G. Charalambidis, D. Daphnomili, A. G. Coutsolelos
30) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Self-Assembly Into Spheres of Hybrid Diphenylalanine-Porphyrin Compounds: Increased Fluorescence Lifetime and Conserved Electronic Properties, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, T. Lazarides, A. Mitraki, A. G. Coutsolelos
31) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Syntheses and Photophysical Studies of A2B2 Type Porphyrins Containing Donor-Acceptor Groups for DSSC Applications, M. K. Panda, T. Lazarides, G. Charalambidis, G. D. Sharma, A. G. Coutsolelos
32) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Supramolecular assembly of porphyrin and corrole with a cobaloxime catalyst. Photophysics and H2 evolution, D. Daphnomili, G. Charalambidis, T. Lazarides, G. Landrou, A. Nowak-Król, D. T. Gryko, S. Kuhri, D. M. Guldi, A. G. Coutsolelos
33) 221st ECS Meeting, Seattle, 6-11 May 2012, Self-Assembled Light-Harvesting Diphenylalanine Porphyrin for Mimicking Natural Photosynthesis, A. G. Coutsolelos, E. Kasotakis, G. Charalambidis, A. Mitraki, T. S. Balaban
34) E MSR, Strasbourg, France, 6-11 May 2012, (Best Poster Award), Water-soluble porphyrin thin films as nanostructured electron extraction layers in organic photovoltaics cells, M. Vasilopoulou, A. M. Douvas, L. C. Palilis, L. Sigellou, S. Kennou, D. G. Georgiadou, V. Constandoudis, S. Gardellis, T. Lazarides, A. G. Coutsolelos P. Argitis
35) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, DSSC studies of porphyrin chromophores with pyridyl as anchoring group, D. Daphnomili, S.P. Singh, A. Thomas, K. Yesudas, K. Bhanuprakash, G. D. Sharma, A. G. Coutsolelos
36) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, Bio inspired derivatives for solar energy conversion, A. G. Coutsolelos
37) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, Meso substituted porphyrin derivatives via Palladium catalyzed amination showing wide range visible absorption: Synthesis and photophysical studies, K. Ladomenou, T. Lazarides, G. Charalambidis, A. G. Coutsolelos
38) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, A Reversible Self-assembling Light-Harvesting System based on a Diphenylalanine - Porphyrin Motif, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, A. Mitraki, T. S. Balaban, A. G. Coutsolelos
39) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, Synthesis and photophysical studies of a porphyrin-ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) complex for application in dye-sensitised solar cells, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, A.Mitraki T. S. Balaban, A. G. Coutsolelos
40) OXIZYMES 2012, Marseille, France, 16-19 September 2012, Synthesis of new covalently linked laccase-porphyrin hybrid system, M. C. P. Kafentzi, A. G. Coutsolelos, Y. Mekmouche, P. Rousselot-Pailley, V. Robert, A. J. Simaan, T. Tron
41) Fifth International Conference 'Micro&Nano2012' on Micro - Nanoelectronics, Nanotechnologies and MEMS, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 7-11 October 2012, Novel porphyrin dimer based on cyanuric chloride scaffold: synthesis, photophysical studies and self-assembly, G. E. Zervaki, G. Charalambidis, M. K. Panda, A. G. Coutsolelos
42) ECI 2012, Crete, Greece, 8-12 October 2012, A reversible self-assempling light harvesting system based on a diphenylalanine porphyrin motif, K. Karikis, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, A.Mitraki T.S. Balaban, A.G. Coutsolelos
Project website: http://www.biosolenuti.gr
This has been accomplished by:
- recruitment of experienced researchers;
- exchange of know-how and experience;
- acquisition / upgrade of research equipment; and
- strengthening of the LBIC status, nationally and internationally, by means of:
a) a website creation and operation (see http://www.biosolenuti.gr online);
b) publications;
c) organisation of an international conference ('First international conference on bioinspired materials for solar energy utilisation') and other dissemination and promotional activities, such as participation in international conferences and workshops, popularisation activities and public lectures.
The up to date implementation of BIOSOLENUTI project contributed to a better integration of the LBIC team into the European Research Area (ERA), by forming new scientific collaborations with other internationally recognised research groups and enhancing the already established collaboration schemes. Besides, the interdisciplinary nature of the project calls itself for networking and collaborations. In addition, it contributed to the solution of the main problems towards ERA, such as reduction of fragmentation, by appointing outstanding transnational scientists of different expertise. Moreover, it assisted the promotion of the access of the European scientific community to a complete set of tools for the affordable development of knowledge based on bioinspired hybrid materials. The researchers appointed in BIOSOLENUTI project have benefited greatly, since they acquired a unique interdisciplinary scientific training and experience. This includes their introduction to a broad range of chemical and physical ideas and techniques, and exposure to a variety of different areas of applications. All the above, inevitably expanded their range of academic contacts and substantially improved their job prospects within the academic sector. The human resources strengthening has also been achieved by research visits of prominent collaborating researchers to LBIC and by secondment visits of the LBIC team members to collaborating research centres in Europe.
The equipment reinforcement of LBIC, accomplished via BIOSOLENUTI project, is noteworthy. The acquisition and upgrade of specialised equipment for physicochemical characterisation and sophisticated and powerful computational resources for theoretical modelling of newly synthesised bioinspired hybrid materials has greatly assisted the LBIC strengthening and development, placing its research capacity at the forefront of this highly competitive research area internationally.
Finally, BIOSOLENUTI project has laid the foundations for the future LBIC strengthening and development by the following. Firstly, by promoting and exploiting the already established links of LBIC with other leading laboratories in Europe. Secondly, by producing new science and technology in the rapidly growing field of new porphyrin based nanostructured hybrid materials. Thirdly, by developing a research infrastructure that will be very important to the university and the region in general. Due to the strongly interdisciplinary nature of BIOSOLENUTI project, LBIC research activities will foster a plethora of diverse and interdisciplinary interactions as well as collaborations between groups that have the appropriate expertise in different scientific fields. In this way, links of LBIC with others may be strengthened and last even longer than this particular project. The latter can be seen as favourable grounds for innovative methods and concepts to emerge in such multidisciplinary fields.
Project context and objectives:
The scope of BIOSOLENUTI project was the research capacity strengthening and development of LBIC at the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete, Greece, by making use of the great opportunities provided by the call in the context of activity: 4.1. 'Unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU's convergence regions and outermost regions - REGPOT-2008-1' of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) 'Capacities' Work Programme: Research Potential.
The current research activity in LBIC is at the forefront of development and characterisation of porphyrin-based hybrid materials. Particularly, LBIC is almost the only laboratory in Greece, and among the very few in Europe, where new porphyrin-based hybrids materials are synthesised. As it will be described below, such materials are highly promising in the quest for biomimetic systems of photosynthesis and offer the potential of utilisation to power up the new generation of solar cells (dye sensitised solar cells).
One of the LBIC's main advantages is its personnel, which consists of excellently trained, qualified and experienced researchers. In addition, the LBIC Director, Prof. Athanassios G. Coutsolelos and Head of the Chemistry Department at the Univeristy of Crete, Greece during 2008-2010) is a former student of Prof. Roger Guilard-Dijon, France and Prof. Karl Kadish-Houston, United States, who are pioneers in the synthesis and electrochemical studies of porphyrin derivatives and editors for one of the leading scientific journals in the porphyrin area of research 'Journal of Porphyrin and Phthalocyanines'.
The LBIC research team has strong, established collaborations with scientists from other research centres in Greece (i.e. Dr Nikos Tagmatarchis-National Research Centre in Athens, Dr Panagiotis Argitis and Dr Polykarpos Falaras-Demokritos Research Centre in Athens) as well as in other European countries (i.e. Prof. D. M. Guldi-Germany, Prof. Daniel Gryko-Poland, Prof. Julia Weinstein-Great Britain, Prof. Sylviu Balaban and Marius Reglier-France, Prof. David McCammat-United States (US), Prof. G. S. Sharma- India). These collaborations cover a variety of different aspects of the current LBIC research activity, including the synthesis and structural and physicochemical characterisation of new hybrid materials, as well as their modelling by theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations. As a result, the highly desirable reinforcement of the research potential in the convergence region of Greece has been achieved and the European objectives for increasing global competitiveness and coherent growth in different and convergent European regions has been met.
The BIOSOLENUTI project led to a substantial strengthening and development of the LBIC laboratory in terms of personnel and equipment but also in terms of the LBIC status at national and international level, as centre of excellent research and provider of know-how. This has been accomplished by the following:
- Recruitment of experienced researchers: The LBIC research team, initially consisted of two senior researchers, was substantially augmented by five new experienced researchers for the duration of the BIOSOLENUTI project. The possibility to recruit nationals living in third counties (repatriation mechanism) was fully exploited in order to have a wider pool of applicants and recruit the best possible experienced researchers.
- Exchange of know-how and experience: The human resources strengthening of the team was further developed by exchange of know-how and experience through research visits of prominent collaborating researchers to LBIC and by secondment visits of the LBIC team members to collaborating research centres in Europe, as well as by interaction with other scientists in the context of conferences and meetings.
- Acquisition / upgrade of research equipment: LBIC has access to the research facilities of the Chemistry Department at the University of Crete and the resources funded by various national and European grants. However, lack of specialised equipment for hands on physicochemical characterisation and study of newly synthesised porphyrine-based hybrid materials resulted in wasting time and resources during the transporting of samples to other research centres. The acquisition and upgrade of research equipment, accomplished via BIOSOLENUTI project, allowed more efficient and complete experimental processing, as well as the production of theoretical data in advance of experimental efforts and of predictive value for the systems of interest. In this manner, the equipment reinforcement enabled LBIC to remain at the forefront of this very competitive area internationally.
- Strengthening of the LBIC status, nationally and internationally, in addition to the above, was achieved through:
i) the organisation of an international conference ('First international conference on bioinspired materials for solar energy utilisation') bringing together the experts in the field forming new collaborations, and promoting exchange of ideas and knowledge;
ii) knowledge sharing by means of a website creation and operation (see http://www.biosolenuti.gr online) and publications as well as other dissemination and promotional activities, such as participation in international conferences and workshops, popularisation activities and public lectures.
The above objectives would result in the 'unlocking and developing of the research potential' of the LBIC in the convergence region of Greece in Crete. They would enable LBIC to remain a leader, internationally, not only in the area of the synthesis of porphyrin-based hybrid materials but of new bioinspired nanostructured materials in general. Furthermore, they would aid LBIC in the effort to form a kernel in the currently developing scheme of a National Roadmap of Research Infrastructure, which is complementary to the European road map for research infrastructure as proposed by the European Strategic Forum for Research Infrastructure (ESFRI).
In addition to the above, the scientific objectives of BIOSOLENUTI project were:
- the preparation of diverse dimeric derivatives with two different porphyrin rings and carboxylate groups as anchoring positions on the TiO2;
- the detailed characterisation of the new porphyrin-based hybrid materials in terms of structure;
- the DFT calculations of the electronic structure of different hybrid systems, the determination of the excited states of relevance to the photoinduced transfer of charge and / or energy and the determination of the mechanism of such processes. The prediction based on theoretical data, of suitable hybrid systems possessing the desired structure-property optimisation, especially the HOMO-LUMO gap;
- the properties evaluation and exploitation of the new porphyrin-based hybrid materials in energy conversion schemes;
- the detailed and integrated knowledge of structure-design properties-optimisation.
The broader targets of BIOSOLENUTI project were:
- the contribution to the design, synthesis and identification of new functional nanosized hybrid materials necessary to increase the wealth and welfare of society;
- the complete study spectroscopic, structural and photophysical study of new bioinspired hybrid materials, models of photosynthetic system and in particular similar systems of the harvesting antennae in nature;
- the development of new protein-porphyrin hybrid systems as electron transfer agents coupling with TiO2 nanoparticles and / or TiO2 surface;
- the development of fundamental knowledge and long-term research into understanding phenomena, mastering processes and developing research tools in the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology;
- the development of a dependable theoretical methodology by which new hybrid systems may be designed in order to optimise the desired properties for innovative energy conversion ?systems, in solar and fuel cells).
BIOSOLENUTI project would contribute significantly to the coordination of high quality research in the following aspects:
- The substantial upgrading of LBIC in terms of i) recruitment of new experienced researchers, ii) training of the existing research staff via collaborations and exchange visits with experts, iii) acquisition of new equipment and upgrade of existing for experimental and theoretical research. As a consequence, the production of excellent quality research in the field of light harvesting by porphyrin-based hybrid materials would occur.
- The implementation of BIOSOLENUTI project would result in a better integration of the LBIC team in the ERA by the formation of new scientific collaborations with other prestigious groups but also on the enhancement of already established collaborating schemes. The interdisciplinary nature of the proposed project (design, theory, synthesis, structure and morphology characterisation etc.) indeed calls itself for networking and collaborations. The methods to be used for the implementation of the project are complementary and if only they are combined the realisation of the aims will be achieved.
- A result of the equipment, personnel and collaboration network upgrading of LBIC would be the increased potential to successfully compete for other FP7 projects, both in the areas specifically supported in FP7, such as Nanosciences, nanobiotechnologies, bioinspired-materials and new production technologies (NMP) and energy conversion, involving cooperation projects as well as training and transfer activities (PEOPLE actions).
- A result of the disseminations activities performed during the BIOSOLENUTI regional potential is the established strong contacts with the region of Crete (Mr Nikos Zografakis, director of RES activities, and Mr K. Strataridakis) as well as the technological Park of Crete (Dr A. Saitakis). The design of new common activities with the Region of Crete and the Technological Park are in progress.
Also as a result of the whole activity of the BIOSOLENUTI project was that the Director A. G. Coutsolelos has been elected as:
- member of European Science Foundation (ESF);
- member of Nanoforum (European nanotechnology consortium);
- member of the 'Green University Consortium' from 2011;
- member of the energy group of regional council of Crete innovation from 2011.
The LBIC research group aspires to contribute to the national efforts for the creation of a roadmap to research infrastructure. Secondly, popularisation activities aimed at the general public but also at secondary school pupils and university students would improve communication with society. Economic gains for the region would result from the dissemination activities and in particular the organisation and holding of an international conference, as well as from the hiring of experienced researchers. A significant benefit to the research community in Greece but also in Europe would result from the repatriation of nationals from third countries, provided that they fulfil the quality criteria.
Project results:
Management
Below you can find the final comments from the scientific committee:
Prof. Daniel Gryko:
The BIOSELENUTTI activity purchased a new MALDI-type spectrometer. This was excellent choice because it fits perfectly to the type of chemistry carried out by Prof. Coutsolelos. Since this is self-use machine it greatly accelerates the speed of research. In addition it can be used by members of other groups in the Chemistry Department. Matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionisation (MALDI) is the best ionisation method as far as porphyrins and other porphyrinoids are concerned. New researchers were recruited in the suitable way. Experienced researchers were chosen from Greeks with experience abroad and various type of professional experience. Altogether over 20 papers have been published during BIOSOLENUTTI action, many of them in top journals. At least half of these papers resulted from new collaborations which were the effect of this programme. The results were also presented during wisely chosen international conferences including for example International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines, which is the prime forum to advertise porphyrins-related results.
The international conference organised in September 2011 was a huge success. It gathered many renowned speakers as well as many young researchers from all over the world. In the view of increasing interest in harvesting sun light, and due to the necessity to solve world energy problems, this conference was a timely event. Conference covered a few crucial areas such as basics of electron transfer, dye sensitised solar cells and self-organisation of dyes in natural photosystems.
While looking at BIOSOLENUTTI activity on the international background, one can easily see how timely this research is. It tackles some of the crucial problems, which are elaborated in world top universities (Caltech, Oxford, Kyoto). The development of more efficient dye sensitised solar cells or devising the concept for self-organisation of chromophores active in 'artificial photosythesis' (rather than link them covalently), are hot topics in today's science. I am positive that thanks to BIOSELENUTTI the research activity of Prof. Coutsolelos and his group significantly accelerated and it has chosen the right direction.
Sincerely yours, Prof. Dirk M. Guldi
The major thrust of BIOSOLENUTI was to strengthen the research capacity and to further develop the bioinorganic chemistry laboratory at the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete. To this end, the project leader, that is, Prof. Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, who received his training in the field of porphyrins with two of the pioneers in the synthesis as well the electrochemical studies of porphyrin, that is, Prof. Roger Guilard in Dijon, France and Prof. Karl Kadish in Houston, United States (US), has gathered a remarkably interdisciplinary programme. Most importantly, the research activities of the project leader have led to a plethora of diverse and interdisciplinary interactions. In addition, collaborations with groups that have the appropriate and complementary expertise in key aspects of the current research activities have been pursued. Here, I wish to especially highlight the implementation of scientists from abroad as an integrative part to accomplish most of the highly ambitious BIOSOLENUTI goals. Altogether, it is only through these synergetic collaborations that real 'add-on' values are created. Additional strategic measures include recruitment of experienced researchers, exchange of know-how and experience, acquisition / upgrade of research equipment, organisation of one international conference, creation of a website, and strengthening of the status of the bioinorganic chemistry laboratory on a national and international level. As such, the aforementioned measures were meant to foster and guarantee:
i) scientific breakthroughs,
ii) cutting-edge science,
iii) sustaining the role of the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete as a global scientific leader,
iv) interdisciplinary training, and
v) public outreach.
Reassuring, BIOSOLENUTI combines strategic research with concrete objectives / directions and creative research. In other words, science and innovation secure significant and needed breakthroughs in:
i) the preparation of diverse dimeric derivatives with two different porphyrin rings and carboxylate groups as anchoring positions on the TiO2,
ii) the detailed structural characterisation of the new porphyrin based hybrids,
iii) the DFT calculations of the electronic structure of different hybrids,
iv) the properties evaluation and exploitation of the new porphyrin based hybrids in energy conversion schemes, and
iv) the detailed and integrated knowledge of structure properties optimisation.
The scientific objectives, which comprise cutting edge activities at the forefront of porphyrin based hybrid materials, that is, their design, theory, synthesis, structure, and morphology characterisation etc. are sound and create a highly ambitious work plan. To this end, past and current research activities are a clear documentation that BIOSOLENUTI is on a steep slope of success and clearly on track relative to their commitment in terms of academic training and of scientific accomplishments. With respect to the earlier the academic training of next generation scientists - endowed with unparalleled creativity and brilliant - is a very important task. With respect to the latter, only taken the track record of the project leader is impressive documentation of the overall productivity. Please note that the bioinorganic chemistry laboratory at the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete is the only centre in Greece and amongst the very few in Europe that focus on porphyrin based hybrid materials. From my own perspective, porphyrin based hybrids are highly promising new materials in the quest for biomimetic systems of photosynthesis that will ultimately be integrated into solar cells including dye sensitised solar cells.
Dr Nikos Tagmatarchis:
BIOSOLENUTI project enhanced the Research and technological development (RTD) capacity of the team by training new research personnel and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, the organisation of an international conference for bioinspired materials for energy conversion brought top scientists of the field in close contact with the project leader thus creating new collaborations. Overall, the current REGPOT activity under FP7 was an excellent and beneficial tool to develop new activities in the area of solar energy conversion.
Dr Panagiotis Argitis:
The Bioinorganic Chemistry Laboratory (LBIC) of the University of Crete exploited the opportunities offered by the funding of the BIOSOLENUTI project in a very efficient way by:
a) greatly reinforcing its human resources and infrastructure,
b) initiating successful collaborations with a large number of academic groups locally and worldwide, and
c) bringing together regional authorities responsible for solar energy development projects and academic groups working in the area.
As a member of the external scientific committee for this project, I was quite a few times impressed by the progress presented in each meeting especially the timely acquisition and installation of the equipment, the hiring of competitive researchers to reinforce the team and the networking of the LBIC with top level labs worldwide, which was also reflected in the successful conference organised in September 2011. It is further noticeable that the external collaborations resulted already in a big number of scientific publications as listed in the Report, whereas work initiated during the project is in progress and can further strengthen the status of the Crete team in the area of biomimetic solar energy utilisation. Finally, I would like to emphasise the really positive impact of the project in establishing a close collaboration among teams of the Cretan area working in solar energy research, including teams in other Departments of University of Crete, in the research centre FORTH and in Technology Education Institute of Crete.
Panagiotis Argitis
Director of research
National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', Athens, Greece
Human strengthening, employment:
The selection of the newly recruited personnel was done after advertisement of the posts both at national and international level. The advertisements at different websites were left open in order to ensure a good pool of applicants for the contingency plan (to hire a new applicant), involving the premature departure of the newly-hired experienced researchers. The selection of the researcher was performed after evaluation of the CVs of all the candidates from the PMC committee.
The following contracts were made:
i) Dr Georgios Charalambidis signed a 12-month from the beginning of the programme: 1 May 2009 - 30 April 2010, he is an expert in the synthesis and characterisation of porphyrin compounds.
ii) Dr Theodoros Lazarides signed a 12-month contract: 1 December 2009 - 30 November 2010, he is an expert in Photophysics since he received his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) under the supervision on Prof. M.D. Ward and he also worked as postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Richard Eisenberg.
iii) Dr Chkounda Mohammed Kalem signed a 12-month contract in 21 January 2010. The contract of Chkounda Mohammed Kalem was terminated in 21 February2010. The reason was that he had problems to obtain his visa. The contribution of the already hired researchers to the programme was excellent and for this reason their contracts were renewed:
iv) Dr Georgios Charalambidis signed a 24-month contract: 1 May 2011 - 30 April 2012.
v) Dr Theodoros Lazarides signed a 12-month contract: 1 December 2010 - 30 November 2011. Upon the termination of the contract of Dr Theodoros Lazarides, he elected as a Lecturer in the University of Ioannina.
vi) Also a new researcher Kumar Manas Panda was employed for onr year: 1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012, he is an expert in synthesis of inorganic compounds and performing theoretical calculations (DFT). vii) Finally, Christina Stangel was employed for 5 months: 1 May 2010 - 30 July 2010 and 1 September 2010 - 31 October 2010, she is a PhD student and after that period she obtained a fellowship from Greek ministry of education for her PhD studies.
After advertisement of the positions in various websites three new researchers were employed:
vii) Leonidas Mouchliadis signed a contract for one year: 1 November 2011 - 30 April 2012, he is an expert in performing theoretical calculations with several publications in prestigious journals.
viii) Eleutherios Ferentinos had a contract for six months: 1 November 2011 - 30 April 2012, he is an expert in structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of transition metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) complexes with chelate imidodiphosphinic ligands.
ix) Panagiotis Agaridis was also employed for six months: 1 November 2011 - 30 April 2012, he is an expert in inorganic chemistry since he received his PhD under the supervision on Prof. F. Albert Cotton and he also worked as postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Vincent Pecoraro.
After the extension of the programme the contracts of three researchers were renewed:
x) The contract of Kumar Manas Panda renewed for another three months: 1 April 2012 - 30 June 2012
xi) The contract of Georgios Charalambidis renewed for another five months: 1 June 2012 - 1 October 2012
xii) The contract of Panagiotis Agaridis was also renewed for another two months: 1 September - 31 October 2012
Materials resources upgrade / acquisition:
We proceeded with the purchase of:
- a MALDI time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer from Bruker;
- a mini t apparatus for lifetime measurements with the peripheral units;
- a Gas-chromatography apparatus for hydrogen detection;
- a fluoremeter for solid and solution samples at room as well as at low temperatures, fully equipped with cells, samplers;
- two servers for DFT theoretical calculations and for monitoring and backup of all the data of our apparatus.
For all purchases the special research account of the University of Crete applied all the typical practices that were followed, such as:
i) formation of a three-member committee responsible for the purchase,
ii) solicitation of offers,
iii) collection of three offers according to the required specifications,
iv) selection of the best offer,
v) approval by the administration of the special research account of the University of Crete and
vi) making the order.
We also updated the existed equipment of our laboratory:
- the cyclic voltammetry kit apparatus with new electrodes, cells, software in order to run spectroelectrochemistry experiments;
- the X-ray machine with software updates, a goniometer and a computer;
- the MALDI TOF with special software packages for treatment on the databases;
- the equipment of our ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectrometers and mini t with cells and laser with different wavelength;
- the equipment of the laboratory with small apparatus. Moreover, we have proceeded with the purchase of peripheral units for the previously bought computing system as well as for the other major equipment.
Use of new personnel:
The new personnel developed expertise in the new equipment purchased, as well as in acquiring new knowledge in group meetings of LBIC and especially in their visits.
A technician from Bruker company made a training (15 December 2009 - 18 December 2009) to the members of the LBIC Lab for the new purchased MALDI-TOF.
Also Prof. Athanassios Coutsolelos and Dr Georgios Charalambidis visited for one week (6 - 12 July 2010) Bruker Daltonics company for MALDI-TOF training, in Bremen, Germany.
Both training visits had significant beneficial results to the projects as well as the operation of the new equipment.
Visits to collaborative laboratories:
21 - 27 March 2010, visit at the Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille, Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III (Lab of Prof. Thierry Tron), Marseille, France, (Lazarides).
24-30 April 2010, visit at the Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences (Lab of Prof. Daniel Gryko), Warsaw, Poland, (Charalambidis).
21 - 27 March 2010, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille, France, (T. Lazarides). 24 - 30 April 2010, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, (G. Charalambidis).
19 - 25 June 2010, Chemistry Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK), (T. Lazarides).
13 - 19 February 2010, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, (G. Charalambidis)
30 March - 3 April 2011, visit to Lausanne at Prof. Michael Gratzel, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, (A.G. Coutsolelos)
30 March - 2 April 2011 , visit to Lausanne at Prof. Michael Gratzel, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, (K. Ladomenou)
3 - 6 April 2011, visit to Sheffield at M. D. Ward, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK (A. G. Coutsolelos)
8 - 14 May 2011, at Prof. Dr Teodor S. Balaban, Un. Paul Cézanne, Marseille, France, (G. haralambidis)
2011 July 23-30, visit to Marseille at T. Tron (T. Lazarides).
8 - 14 May 2011, at Prof. Dr Teodor S. Balaban, Universite Paul Cézanne, Marseille, France, (G. Charalambidis)
24 - 27 April 2012, Paris Saclay CEA Saclay, iBiTec-S, France, (A. G. Coutsolelos).
15 - 28 January 2012, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, (G. Charalambidis)
1 - 5 March 2012, Jaipur, R & D Centre, Jaipur Engineering College, Kukas, Jaipur, India, (A. G. Coutsolelos)
17-20 May 2012, Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw, Poland, (A. G. Coutsolelos)
20-21 June 2012, Erlangen, Germany (Prof. D.M. Guldi), (A. G. Coutsolelos)
17-20 May 2012, Darmstadt, STOE company, Germany (A. G. Coutsolelos).
Visits of collaborators to LBIC lab:
February - June2010, Sofia Sadelli and Alexandra Vuillamy from Marseille, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques (Marseille, France), 'Porphyrin Complexes for DSSC'
27-30 May 2010, Dr Eugen Stulz MRSC, School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
13-21 July 2010, visit of Agnieszka Nowak-Król (from The Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland)
24-28 January 2011, Dr Ursa Opara Krasovec and Marija Drev, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of electrical engineering, Trzaska 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
4 - 16 July 2011, Dr T. Tron visited the LBIC
4 - 16 July 2011 Mathias Brust Department of Chemistry, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK
2012 April-June Petra Muri from University of Nova Gorica, School of Environmental Sciences (Slovenia), Porphyrin Complexes for DSSC applications'
May 2012 - two weeks, Anita Janiga from University of Warsaw, Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 'Corrole Complexes with diphenylalanine'
2012 June - two weeks Maria Medel from University of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Departamento de Quimica Organica, 28049-Madrid. Spain, 'Phthalocyanine Complexes with diphenylalanine'
12 - 17 July 2012, Prof. G. D. Sharma R&D Centre for Engineering and Science, Jaipur Engineering College, Kukas, Jaipur (Raj.) 303101, India
25 - 28 March 2012 Dr Antonio Manetto, Baseclick Ltd, Head of Research and Development, Leiter Forschung und Entwicklung, Germany
7 - 12 July 2012 Dr Jan Janzen Samso Energy Agency, SEA Strandengen 1, 8305 Samso, Denmark.
Potential impact:
It is expected as a final result of BIOSOLENUTI that the research capacity and further development of LBIC has been greatly strengthened by:
i) promoting links between the LBIC research group and the leading laboratories in Europe through the extensive established scientific collaborations the team leader holds as well as the new ones that will be established,
ii) producing new science and technology in the rapidly growing field of porphyrin-based nanostructured hybrid materials, and
iii) developing research infrastructure of importance to the research centre and the region in general.
Due to the strongly interdisciplinary nature of BIOSOLENUTI project, research activities of LBIC led to a plethora of diverse and interdisciplinary interactions as well as collaborations between groups that have the appropriate expertise in different scientific fields. In this way, links between LBIC and other research groups have been strengthened and are expected to last longer than this particular project. The outlook for LBIC is encouraging, especially in terms of enhanced opportunity for expansion of the activities to research problems of current interest not only in the area of porphyrin chromophores but also to make contributions in research areas requiring treatment of related phenomena (e.g. solar cells, fluorescent sensors, organic electronics, OLEDS, and biological applications). The outlook for future research along these lines is very promising.
The need for enhanced research activity in the area of dye sensitised solar cells, where the sustainable added value of BIOSOLENUTI will lie mainly, includes the quest for affordable and environmentally friendly energy sources. The total annual global energy consumption is predicted to double from its current level (14 TW) by 2050 and triple by the end of the century. Energy is a fundamental prerequisite to economic stability and its supply at an affordable cost cannot be guaranteed. Increased use of fossil fuels would in any case produce unacceptable levels of CO2, bringing global warming accompanied by disastrous effects. Apart from solar energy, shortfall can only be made up by wind and nuclear energy. However, these would be unable to satisfy the expected increased energy needs, while they will not readily yield stored fuels. Even though solar energy is plentiful, there lies a problem in harnessing it. Nature for billions of years has perfected in photosynthesis, a highly efficient and flexible means of harnessing solar energy. Thus, considerable research interest has been directed towards the creation of artificial solar energy conversion systems that will allow in the long run for a stable and sustainable energy supply. Photoinduced charge separation is the primary step in photosynthesis. In natural systems, light-induced charge separation is achieved through a unique special arrangement of the pigments and elements of the transport chain. Electronic excitations that reach the reaction centres are converted to chemical energy in the form of charge separation across the photosynthetic membrane. In these organised arrays, electrons flow rapidly over short distances with negligible loss of energy. The photosynthesis in plans is a source of inspiration for scientists to engineer non-natural systems that similarly convert light into chemical potential electrical energy. Similar processes occur in artificial photoactive and redox-active molecular donor units linked to acceptors. Such systems are considered as promising for the application in molecular and supramolecular electronics, light harvesting and photocatalysis. Molecular donor-acceptor combinations also find applications in organic and polymer photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy. In this context, it is of paramount importance to combine a high rate for charge separation with a low rate for charge recombination. For this purpose multichromatic arrays have been designed in which the initial photoinduced separation is followed by charge migration reactions along a well-defined redox gradient that ultimately provides the spatial separation of the photogenerated charges, which is essential to lower the rate for charge recombination.
The following recommendations based on the above considerations can be made: As the cost of energy and need for energy increases, development of new approaches to harness renewable sources is an important target of international interest. Within such a highly competitive global context, Europe's position still needs to be strengthened in the area of research activities related to nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and production of new technologies as well as to energy. The 21st century competitiveness of European industry will largely depend on new knowledge and new ways of integrating and exploiting this knowledge. Europe can benefit:
i) from its recognised leadership in specific fields (synthesis of hybrid materials) and
ii) from bringing specialists in different disciplines together.
New developments will rely on novel functional materials and our abilities to model their physical properties in advance, prior to their creation. This requires a fundamental understanding, down to the molecular level, of the chemical and physical properties of the materials employed in device manufacturing and accordingly research funding should be directed towards these objectives.
A number of promotional activities were performed in order to increase the impact of the project and to bring bio-nanoscience closer to the society. The objectives of these promotional / dissemmination activities were:
(a) promotion of the general knowledge in nanoscience and nanotechnology at National level,
(b) creation of cooperative synergistic interactions and networking with nanoscience-directed prestigious labs and stakeholders nationally and in Europe and
(c) dissemination of the project results.
All the above objectives were fulfilled with very significant results highlighted in the large number of important publications and presentations.
Collaboration with local and international companies:
Global-Energy Solutions: info@global-energy.eu
Infitheon technologies: http://www.infitheon.com/
ETAM sa website: http://www.etam.gr
Concept SA an affiliate of 'Samaras - Co': http://www.e-concept.gr
Ecowatt Hellas: http://www.ecowatt.gr
Baseclick GmbH: http://www.baseclick.eu
Creation and maintenance of a website:
The website for the BIOSOLENUTI programme was created and operated at the following link http://www.biosolenuti.gr The website was updated in frequent periods.
Media presentations and popularisation activities:
i) Various articles were published at the local as well as national newspapers (Tolmi, Patris, Mesogeios, Naftemporiki, Elefterotypia, Rethymniotika Nea, Kathimerini and many others (copies are available at http://www.biosolenuti.gr online).
ii) 15 January 2010, first meeting of the scientific committee (open to the public, journalists) at Chemistry Department, University of Crete.
iii) 27 April 2010, INRES, International-Regional Workshop, Crete in collaboration with Region of Crete-Energy Centre, the Scientific and Technological Park of Crete and TEAB Creta Maris a.e.
iv) 14 May 2010, evening event 'Chemistry and industry in Crete' in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry and the Scientific and Technological Park of Crete.
v) 24 September 2010, workshop 'Rechercher night' by the Scientific and Technological Park of Crete and the Natural Museum of Crete.
vi) 19 November 2010, workshop 'Collaborations for the promotion of regional innovation in islander regions'.
vii) 7 - 9 April 2011, third meeting of the scientific committee
viii) 16 September 2011 workshop 'Renewable energy sources: Industry-academia cooperation', Chania, Greece
ix) 9-20 July 2012, first summer school, BiMaSoUti, Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation
x) Fourth meeting of the scientific committee, September 2011 (Chania)
xi) Final meeting of the scientific committee, October 2012 (Heraklion)
Publications:
1. 'Naked' (Mn3O)7+ Triangles: The Effect of Auxiliary Ligands on Magnetic Exchange
Efi Manolopoulou, Constantinos C. Stoumpos, Milosz Siczek, Tadeusz Lis, Euan K. Brechin, Constantinos J. Milios
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 483-489 (2010)
2. A Synthetic Approach of New trans-substituted hydroxylporphyrins
Dimitra Daphnomili, Maria Grammatikopoulou, Cathrine Raptopoulou, G. Charalambidis, Theodore Lazarides, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications, article ID 307696, 6 pages (2010).
3. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of novel model compounds for cytochrome c oxidase
Kalliopi Ladomenou, Georgios Charalambidis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganica Chimica Acta (invited paper) 363, 2201-2208, (2010)
4. Self-assemply into sphere of a hybrid diphenylalanine-porphyrin: increased fluorescence lifetime, conserved electronic properties
G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, T. Lazarides, A. Mitraki, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Chemistry-A European Journal, 77, 7213-7219 (2011) - inside cover.
5. DNA-Interaction and nuclease activity of porphyrin-hydroxamic acid derivatives in the presence of lanthanides
Marie-Cécile Chalbot, Leonidas Gryllos, Kosmas Kefokeris, Nikos Manoussakis, Catherine Verchère-Béaur, Martine Perrée-Fauvet, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Porphyrin and Phthalocyanines (invited paper for 65th anniversary of Prof. K. Kadish), 15, 704-717, (2011)
6. Novel zinc porphyrin with phenylenevinylene meso-substituents: Synthesis and application in dye-sensitised solar cells
J. A. Mikroyannidis, G. Charalambidis, A. G. Coutsolelos, P. Balraju, G. D. Sharma Journal of Power Sources, 196, 6622-6628 (2011).
7. Aqueous-Organic Biphasic Hydrogenation of trans-Cinnamaldehyde Catalysed by Rhodium and Ruthenium Phosphane-Free Porphyrin Complexes
Christina Stangel, Georgios Charalambidis, Varvara Varda, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, Ioannis D. Kostas
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 4709-4716 (2011).
8. Promising fast energy transfer system via an easy synthesis: Bodipy-porphyrin dyads connected via a cyanuric chloride bridge, their synthesis, electrochemical and photophysical investigations
Theodore Lazarides, Georgios Charalambidis, Alexandra Vuillamy, Emmanuel Klontzas
Georgios Froudakis, Susanne Kuhri, Dirk M. Guldi, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganic Chemistry, 50, 8926-8936 (2011)
9. Direct and indirect excitons in semiconductor coupled quantum wells in an applied electric field
K. Sivalertporn, L. Mouchliadis, A. L. Ivanov, R. Philp, E. A. Muljarov
Physical Review B, 85, 045207 (2012)
10. N@C60-porphyrin: a dyad of two radical centres
Guoquan Liu, Andrei N. Khlobystov, Georgios Charalambidis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, G.
Andrew D. Briggs, and Kyriakos Porfyrakis
Journal of American Chemical Society, 134, 1938-1941 (2012).
11. A new family of A2B2 type porphyrin derivatives: Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterisation and their Application in Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell.
Manas Panda, G. D. Sharma, K.R. Justin Thomas, A. G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Material Chemistry, 22, 8092-8102 (2012).
12. Electron vs Energy Transfer in Arrays Featuring Two Bodipy Chromophores Axially Bound to a Sn(IV) Porphyrin via a Phenolate or Benzoate Bridge
Theodore Lazarides, Susanne Kuhri, Georgios Charalambidis, Manas K. Panda, Dirk M. Guldi , Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganic Chemistry, 51, 4193-4204 (2012).
13. Carbon Nanohorn-Porphyrin Dimer Hybrid Material for Enhancing Light-Energy Conversion.
Georgia Pagona, Galateia E. Zervaki, Atula S. D. Sandanayaka, Osamu Ito, Georgios Charalampidis, Taku Hasobe, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, and Nikos Tagmatarchis
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 116, 9439-9449 (2012)
14. Noble metal porphyrin derivatives bearing carboxylic groups: Synthesis, photophysical and physicochemical characterisation
Christina Stangel, Dimitra Daphnomili, Theodore Lazarides, Marija Drev, Ura Opara Kraovec, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Polyhedron, in press (2012) (special issue of dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Professor Alfred Werner)
15. Synthesis, RNA binding and nuclease activity of porphyrin-hydroxamic acid derivatives in the presence of lanthanides
Maria Marketaki, Eleftherios Touloupakis, Georgios Charalambidis, Demetrios F. Ghanotakis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Porphyrin and Phthalocyanines, 16, 997-1005 (2012)
16. Mesosubstituted porphyrin derivatives via Palladium-catalyzed amination showing wide range visible absorption: Synthesis and photophysical studies
Kalliopi Ladomenou, Theodore Lazarides, Manas K. Panda, Georgios Charalambidis, Dimitra Daphnomili, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Inorganic Chemistry, 51, 10548-10556 (2012)
17. General and efficient protocol for formylation of aromatic and heterocyclic phenols. Kamil Skonieczny, Georgios Charalambidis, Mariusz Tasior, Maciej Krzeszewski, Ayfer Kalkan-Burat, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, Daniel T. Gryko
Synthesis, 44, 3683-3687 (2012)
18. Porphyrins in Bio-inspired Transformation: Light-Harvesting to Solar Cell. Manas Panda, K. Ladomenou, and A. G. Coutsolelos
Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 256, 2601-2627 (2012)
19. Photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of a series of porphyrin dye bearing a different number of pyridyl groups
Dimitra Daphnomili, Giorgos Landrou, Surya Prakash Singh, Anup Thomas, Kada Yesudas, Bhanuprakash K., G. D. Sharma, A. G. Coutsolelos
RSC Advances, 2, 1289-12908 (2012)
20. Photoinduced Charge Transfer in Porphyrin-Cobaloxime andCorrole-Cobaloxime Hybrids
Katrin Peuntinger , Theodore Lazarides , Dimitra Daphnomili , Georgios Charalambidis , Giorgos Landrou , Axel Kahnt , Randy Sabatini , David McCamant, Daniel Tomasz Gryko , Athanassios Georgios Coutsolelos, Dirk M. Guldi
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 117, 1647-16565 (2013
21. Synthesis, Characterisation and Electronic Properties of trans-(4-(Alkoxycarbonyl)phenyl)porphyrin-(RuII(bpy)3)2 Complexes or Boron-Dipyrrin Conjugates as Panchromatic Sensitizers for DSSCs
Christina Stangel,Kalliopi Ladomenou, Georgios Charalambidis, Manas K. Panda, Theodore Lazarides, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, in press (2013)
22. A new porphyrin bearing a pyridinylethynyl group as sensitizer for dye sensitised solar cells
Dimitra Daphnomili, G. D. Sharma, S. Biswas, K. R. Justin Thomas, and A. G. Coutsolelos
Journal of Photophysical & Photobiology A: Chemistry, in press (2013)
23. Visible Light-Driven O2 Reduction by a Porphyrin-Laccase System
Theodore Lazarides, Igor Sazanovich, A. Jalila Simaan, Maria - Chrisanthi P. Kafentzi, Milan Delor, Yasmina Memouche, Bruno Faure, Marius Réglier, Julia Weinstein, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos, Thierry Tron
Journal of American Chemical Society, in press (2013)
24. CO and O2 binding studies of new model complexes for CcO
Kaliopi Ladomenou, Georgios Charalambidis, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Polyhedron, accepted (2013)
25. Femtosecond Switching of Magnetism via Strongly Correlated Spin - Charge Quantum Excitations
T. Li, A. Patz, L. Mouchliadis, J. Yan, T. A. Lograsso, I. E. Perakis, and J. Wang
Nature, accepted (2013)
Organisation of an international conference:
We organised with great success the '1st International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation' in Chania, Crete during 12-17 September 2011. The scientific committee of BIOSOLENUTI was very pleased that top names and pioneer researchers in the field accepted the invitation to BIOSOL2011. The conference was well-attended featuring more than 100 participants and invited speakers, well-known in the field of research with new materials from Greece, Europe, Japan, China and the United States. Interest in the conference was lively from the first to the last day of the session. Professor M. Graetzel (who attended the conference as a keynote speaker) had two nominations, one for the Physics Nobel Prize and one for the Chemistry. Prof Richard Eisenberg, editor of Inorganic Chemistry (American Chemical Society) and Prof. Harry Gray a giant on Bionorganic Chemistry, Arnold O. Beckman Professor of Chemistry, Beckman Institute was also between the keynote speakers. Between the keynotes we were also glad to have between us:
Balaban Silviu T., Universite Paul Cezanne, Marseille, (France)
Bernhard Stefan, Carnegie Mellon University, (USA)
Constable Edwin, The University of Basel, (Switzerland)
Falaras Polykarpos, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, (Greece)
Fukuzumi Shunichi, Ozaka University, (Japan)
Guldi Dirk M., Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, (Germany)
Gryko Daniel, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw (Poland)
Hasobe Taku, Keio University, (Japan)
Hupp Joseph, Northwestern University, (USA)
Imahori Hiroshi, Kyoto University, (Japan)
Kymakis Emmanuel, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, (Greece)
Lianos Panagiotis, University of Patras, (Greece)
Logothetidis Stergios, University of Thessaloniki
Majima Tetsuro, Osaka, (Japan)
Papaconstantinou Elias, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, (Greece)
Privalov Timofei, Stockholm University, (Sweden)
Ward Michael D., University of Sheffield, (UK)
Sun Licheng, Royal Institut of Technology, (Sweden)
Torres Tomas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, (Spain)
Tron Thierry, Universite Paul Cezanne, Marseille, (France)
Vullev Valentine I., University of California, (US)
Weinstein Julia, University of Sheffield, (UK)
BIOSOLENUTI covered expenses - travelling, accommodation and registration fees - for the invited speakers as well as the members of LBIC, the newly hired researchers for BIOSOLENUTI. The SC was grateful to the BIOSOLENUTI new-hired experienced researchers for the excellent organisation of the conference. The abstracts of the BIOSOL2011 conference were accumulated and presented to the attendees of the conference in electronic form. The abstracts contained all the scientific work presented in BIOSOL2011. Active participation of LBIC researchers in international conferences and workshops of the field:
1) 10th International Meeting in Inorganic Chemistry, Palermo, Italy, 1-4 July 2009, Design and synthesis of super-structured porphyrin as building blocks for new materials, studies and applications, Coutsolelos A.G. Charalambidis G., Ladomenou K.
2) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Synthesis of novel materials with porphyrin-pyrene/ferrocene-carbon nanotubes for photovoltaic applications, Charalambidis G., Skondra A., Karousis N., Economopoulos S., Tagmatarchis N., Coutsolelos A.G.
3) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of novel model compounds for cytochrome c oxidase, Ladomenou K., Charalambidis G., Coutsolelos A.G.
4) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Synthesis and study of new dimer-porphyrin derivatives for application in photonic systems, Zervaki G., Charalambidis G., Coutsolelos A.G.
5) 10th Congress in Chemistry Greece-Cyprus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2-4 July 2009, Synthesis of new porphyrinic derivatives in applications to homogeneous catalysis in water, C. Staggel, A.G. Coutsolelos, I.D. Kostas
6) 16th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-16 July 2009, Synthesis of novel porphyrin-pyrene/ferrocene-single walled carbon nanotube triads for photovoltaic applications, Charalambidis G., Skondra A., Karousis N., Economopoulos S., Tagmatarchis N., Coutsolelos A.G.
7) 16th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-16 July 2009, Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of novel model compounds for cytochrome c oxidase, Ladomenou K., Charalambidis G., Coutsolelos A.G.
8) 3rd Greek Symposium in Organic Synthesis, Athens, Greece, 15-17 October 2009, Aqueous biphasic catalysis by transition metal complexes with new porphyrins, I.D. Kostas, C. Staggel, A.G. Coutsolelos
9) International Conference on Carbon Nanostructured Materials, Santorini, Greece, 4-8 October 2009, Synthesis of novel porphyrin based hybrid materials for photovoltaic applications, Charalambidis G., Skondra A., Ladomenou K., Karousis N.,Economopoulos S., Tagmatarchis N., Coutsolelos A.G.
10) Week of Innovative Regions in Europe, Granada, Spain, 15-17 March 2010, Coutsolelos A.G.
11) XXIV Panhellenic Conference on Solid State Physics and Materials Science, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, September 21-24, 2009, Photoelectrochemical Solar Cells of Nanostructured Thin Films Composed of Carbon Nanohorn-Porphyrin (CNH-H2P), G. Pagona, T. Hasobe, G. Charalambidis, A.G. Coutsolelos, N. Tagmatarchis
12) 3rd Hellenic Symposium in Organic Synthesis, Athens, Greece,15 October 2009, Novel conjugates of carboxylated porphyrins with cyclodextrins for biological applications, C. Aggelidou, T.A. Theodossiou, C. Staggel, G. Velegraki, A.G. Coutsolelos, I.M. Mavridis, K. Yannakopoulou
13) EUROBIC 10, Thessaloniki, Greece, 22-26June 2010, Synthesis and characterisation of Bio inspired materials for solar energy utilisation, A.G. Coutsolelos
14) 3rd Greece-Cyprus Graduate Student Conference, Paralimni, Cyprus, 23-26 June 2010, Synthesis and characterisation of precursors for hybrid materials based on porphyrinn-graphene, A. Mantalidi, G. Charalambidis, V. Binas, P. Trikalitis, A.G. Coutsolelos
15) Sixth International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-6), New Mexico, US, 4-9 July 2010, Novel hybrid materials based on porphyrin dimers for photovoltaic applications, K. Ladomenou, G. Charalambidis, G.E. Zervaki , G. Pagona, N. Tagmatarchis, A. G Coutsolelos
16) Sixth International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-6), New Mexico, US, 4-9 July 2010
Synthesis of metal (Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt) / porphyrin complexes with applications in aqueous biphasic catalysis, G. Charalambidis, C. Staggel, I.D. Kostas, A.G. Coutsolelos
17) 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Valencia, Spain, 6-17 September 2010, Synthesis of novel porphyrin dimers for photovoltaic applications, A.G. Coutsolelos, G.E. Zervaki, G. Pagona, G. Charalambidis, K. Ladomenou, N. Tagmatarchis
18) Fullerene Silver Anniversary Symposium, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 4-10 October 2010, Spin-spin interactions between endohedral nitrogen fullerenes and a spin-active porphyrin, G. Liu, A.N. Khlobystov, G.A.D. Briggs, G. Charalambidis, A.G. Coutsolelos, K. Porfyrakis
19) 8th Hellenic Polymer Society Symposium, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 4-10 October 2010 (Best Poster Award), Synthesis and characterisation of a multicomponent nanostructured system of porphyrin polymer and gold nanoparticles, M. Kaliva, G.E. Zervaki, G. Charalambidis, A.G. Coutsolelos, M. Vamvakaki
20) Workshop on Asymmetric Synthesis, Athens, Greece, 4-10 October 2010, Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde in aqueous biphasic system catalysed by (Ru,Rh)/porphyrin, C. Staggel, I.D. Kostas, A.G. Coutsolelos
21) 11th Panhellenic Symposium on Catalysis, Athens, Greece, 22-24 October 2010, Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde in aqua/organic biphasic system with porphyrins, C. Staggel, I.D. Kostas, A.G. Coutsolelos
22) First EuCheMS Inorganic Division, Manchester, UK, 11-14 April 2011, Synthesis of novel porphyrin sensitisers for solar cell applications, K. Ladomenou, G. Charalambidis, D. Daphnomili, A.G. Coutsolelos
22) European-Materials Research Society ICAM IUMRS 2011 Spring Meeting, Nice, France, 10-12 May 2011, Bioinspired organic photovoltaics: 'Light Harvesting', E. Stratakis, A.G. Coutsolelos
23) Third IC4N 2011, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 26-30 June 2011, Designer Bioinspired Chromophores for solar energy utilisation and H2 production, A.G. Coutsolelos
24) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Water-soluble porphyrin thin films as electron injection layers in organic light emitting diodes, M. Vasilopoulou, A. M. Douvas, D. G. Georgiadou, L. C. Palilis, P. Argitis, A. Mantalidi, T. Lazarides, A. G. Coutsolelos
25) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Carbon nanohorns and dimer porphyrin conjugates in a photoelectrochemical cell construct. Preparation, characterisation and photophysical properties evaluation, G. Pagona, G. E. Zervaki, A. S. D. Sandanayaka, T. Hasobe, A. G. Coutsolelos, N. Tagmatarchis
26) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Synthesis and photophysical studies of a porphyrin- ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) complex for potential use in DSSCs, C. Stangel, G. Charalambidis, T. Lazarides, A. G. Coutsolelos
27) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Bodipy-Porphyrin Dyads Connected via a Cyanuric Chloride Bridge: Synthesis, Electrochemical and Photophysical Study, T. Lazarides, G. Charalambidis, A. Vuillamy, M. Reglier, E. Klontzas, G. Froudakis, S. Kuhri, D. M. Guldic, A.G. Coutsolelos
28) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, An Array of Chromophores consisting of Porphyrin and Bodipy linked via a Sn(IV) metal center: Structure, Electrochemistry, Photophysics and Theoretical Study, T. Lazarides, M. K. Panda, G. Charalambidis, S. Kuhri, D. M. Guldi, A. G. Coutsolelos
29) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Synthesis of porphyrin-based sensitizers for solar cell applications, K. Ladomenou, G. Charalambidis, D. Daphnomili, A. G. Coutsolelos
30) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Self-Assembly Into Spheres of Hybrid Diphenylalanine-Porphyrin Compounds: Increased Fluorescence Lifetime and Conserved Electronic Properties, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, T. Lazarides, A. Mitraki, A. G. Coutsolelos
31) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Syntheses and Photophysical Studies of A2B2 Type Porphyrins Containing Donor-Acceptor Groups for DSSC Applications, M. K. Panda, T. Lazarides, G. Charalambidis, G. D. Sharma, A. G. Coutsolelos
32) First International Conference on Bioinspired Materials for Solar Energy Utilisation, Chania, Greece, 12-17 September 2011, Supramolecular assembly of porphyrin and corrole with a cobaloxime catalyst. Photophysics and H2 evolution, D. Daphnomili, G. Charalambidis, T. Lazarides, G. Landrou, A. Nowak-Król, D. T. Gryko, S. Kuhri, D. M. Guldi, A. G. Coutsolelos
33) 221st ECS Meeting, Seattle, 6-11 May 2012, Self-Assembled Light-Harvesting Diphenylalanine Porphyrin for Mimicking Natural Photosynthesis, A. G. Coutsolelos, E. Kasotakis, G. Charalambidis, A. Mitraki, T. S. Balaban
34) E MSR, Strasbourg, France, 6-11 May 2012, (Best Poster Award), Water-soluble porphyrin thin films as nanostructured electron extraction layers in organic photovoltaics cells, M. Vasilopoulou, A. M. Douvas, L. C. Palilis, L. Sigellou, S. Kennou, D. G. Georgiadou, V. Constandoudis, S. Gardellis, T. Lazarides, A. G. Coutsolelos P. Argitis
35) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, DSSC studies of porphyrin chromophores with pyridyl as anchoring group, D. Daphnomili, S.P. Singh, A. Thomas, K. Yesudas, K. Bhanuprakash, G. D. Sharma, A. G. Coutsolelos
36) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, Bio inspired derivatives for solar energy conversion, A. G. Coutsolelos
37) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, Meso substituted porphyrin derivatives via Palladium catalyzed amination showing wide range visible absorption: Synthesis and photophysical studies, K. Ladomenou, T. Lazarides, G. Charalambidis, A. G. Coutsolelos
38) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, A Reversible Self-assembling Light-Harvesting System based on a Diphenylalanine - Porphyrin Motif, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, A. Mitraki, T. S. Balaban, A. G. Coutsolelos
39) Seventh International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-7), Jeju, South Korea, 1-6 June 2012, Synthesis and photophysical studies of a porphyrin-ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) complex for application in dye-sensitised solar cells, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, A.Mitraki T. S. Balaban, A. G. Coutsolelos
40) OXIZYMES 2012, Marseille, France, 16-19 September 2012, Synthesis of new covalently linked laccase-porphyrin hybrid system, M. C. P. Kafentzi, A. G. Coutsolelos, Y. Mekmouche, P. Rousselot-Pailley, V. Robert, A. J. Simaan, T. Tron
41) Fifth International Conference 'Micro&Nano2012' on Micro - Nanoelectronics, Nanotechnologies and MEMS, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 7-11 October 2012, Novel porphyrin dimer based on cyanuric chloride scaffold: synthesis, photophysical studies and self-assembly, G. E. Zervaki, G. Charalambidis, M. K. Panda, A. G. Coutsolelos
42) ECI 2012, Crete, Greece, 8-12 October 2012, A reversible self-assempling light harvesting system based on a diphenylalanine porphyrin motif, K. Karikis, G. Charalambidis, E. Kasotakis, A.Mitraki T.S. Balaban, A.G. Coutsolelos
Project website: http://www.biosolenuti.gr