Project description
Novel, high-efficiency photocatalysts inspired by artificial intelligence
Harnessing sunlight’s abundant energy through photocatalysis is a long-held dream of humanity. Through photocatalysis, researchers could help store solar energy in clean, recyclable hydrogen gas. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the DELATOP project will introduce an innovative approach to boost solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. Using cavity chemistry and topologically protected photonic devices, DELATOP plans to design novel photocatalytic heterojunctions endowed with exceptional photon harvesting capacity. Furthermore, the project will utilise artificial intelligence for reverse engineering to significantly reduce R&D cycles. The outcome will be the first topo-photocatalysts designed by artificial intelligence combining high defect tolerance and extended lifetime of photocarriers.
Objective
Sunlight, as a non-stop power source granted by nature, provides about ten thousand times more energy than humans consume globally. Therefore, its harvesting and conversion to storable energy, such as plants perform in photosynthesis, represents a long-held dream of humanity. With the rapid progress of photocatalysis, humankind now endeavors to split water molecules using sunlight, thus storing solar energy into clean and recyclable hydrogen gas. To date, the efficiency of this conversion is up to 20% but with insufficient stability. In this context, DELATOP represents an effective solution to boost solar-to-hydrogen (StH) efficiency while significantly improving conversion robustness.
Recently, cavity chemistry has arisen as a novel path to control chemical reaction rates in the context of light-matter interactions. Concurrently, photonic devices with topologically protected resonances have demonstrated superior defect tolerance and life-cycle durability. In this regard, DELATOP aims to design novel photocatalytic heterojunctions endowed with exceptional photon harvesting and carrier generation rate. Furthermore, using artificial intelligence (AI) for reverse engineering design, the R&D cycles can be significantly reduced with proper optimizations. As a result, the first AI-designed topo-photocatalysts will be delivered, conjugating high-imperfection tolerance and a super-extended lifetime of photo-carriers (~100 times), i.e. smart management of photons and carriers for the next-generation of green energy technologies.
The project identifies three objectives to reach the final goal: I) Conceive and design novel photonic solutions based on topologically-protected resonances to be applied in the photocatalytic context; II) Deliver the first AI-designed topo-photocatalyst through injecting deep learning neurons into the previous design; III) Fabrication and characterization of topologically protected photocatalytic devices with enhanced StH conversion efficiency.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis photocatalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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16163 Genova
Italy
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