This webinar took place on April 12, 2023.
Welcome to a Tandem Webinar with Kasper Moth-Poulsen, professor in the field of synthetic chemistry, nano-chemistry, and energy storage materials, Chalmers University of Technology and Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, and Bo Albinsson, Professor at Chemistry and Biochemistry. Chalmers University of Technology. 
We had a few small problems in the beginning of the recording, which means that you see a some more people on the screen, in addition to the presenter. We hope that doesn't bother you too much.

Program: 40 min talk, then 20 min for Q&A

• Welcome. Moderator: Maria Abrahamsson, Director Chalmers Area of Advance Materials Science
• Kasper Moth-Poulsen, professor in the field of synthetic chemistry, nano-chemistry, and energy storage materials. Chalmers University of Technology and Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona.
• Bo Albinsson, Professor at Chemistry and Biochemistry. Chalmers University of Technology.
• Q&A

Abstract:
More than 99% of all renewable energy resources near the Earth’s surface are available in the form of solar radiation. A one percent efficiency increase of direct conversion of solar energy will therefore enhance the theoretical available renewable energy by as much as the potential of all other renewables, including wind, bio, hydro, ocean, and geothermal energy, taken together.

Our aim is to develop new ways for solar energy capture and storage. In a first part of the seminar, we will describe how we can capture solar energy in molecular photoswitches, so-called molecular solar thermal systems (MOST). The MOST energy system allows for solar energy capture and long-term storage with subsequent release of thermal energy. A general challenge with solar conversion technologies such as photo-voltaics and MOST systems are that large parts of the solar spectrum are at wavelengths that cannot be used efficiently by the energy systems.

In a second part of the seminar, we will present our work on wavelength shifting materials in the form of down-conversion through singlet fission and upconversion through triplet-triplet annihilation. These two photophysical processes have potential to dramatically increase the theoretical limits for any solar energy process. In this presentation, we will show some of our attempts towards combining upconversion and photochemical reactions, of which MOST systems are a highly relevant target.

Selected References:
1) Z. Wang, A. Roffey, R. Losantos, A. Lennartson, M. Jevric, A. U. Petersen, M. Quant, A. Dreos, Xi. Wen, D. Sampedro, K. Börjesson and K. Moth-Poulsen. Energy and Environmental Science, 2019, 12, 187-193. (cover)

2) Z. Zhang, Y. He, Z. Wang, J. Xu, M. Xie, P. Tao, D. Ji, K. Moth-Poulsen, and T. Li J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 12256–12264.

3) Z. Wang, P. Erhart, T. Li, Z. Zhang, D. Sampedro, Z. Hu, H. A. Wegner, O. Brummel, J. Libuda, M. Brøndsted Nielsen, K. Moth-Poulsen, Joule 2021, 5, 3116-3136.

4) Olesund, V. Gray, J. Mårtensson, B. Albinsson, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 5745-5754

5) L. Hou, A. Olesund, S. Thurakkal, X. Zhang, B. Albinsson, Advanced Functional Materials 2021, 31, 2106198

6) V. Gray, K. Moth-Poulsen, B. Albinsson, M. Abrahamsson, Coordination Chemistry Reviews 2018, 362, 54-71.