Research project Charged Microdroplets for Artificial Photosynthesis

The guiding principle is to learn from nature. As a starting point, the project takes inspiration from natures light-emitting diodes (LEDs): bioluminescent bacteria. The key photochemically active unit, called the chromophore, responsible for light emitted from these bacteria is a biomolecule from the flavin family. Using the powerful tools of gas-phase action spectroscopy, the intrinsic luminescence properties of flavins will be investigated.

In addition, new spectroscopic and analytical methods will be developed for probing the electronic and chemical properties of flavins inside and at the surface of charged microdroplets.

These experiments will establish a quantitative picture of how flavin luminescence is modulated by the nano-scale interactions in the microdroplet and by extension to the similar interactions with the protein nano-environment inside the bacteria. This new knowledge will be applied towards the development of an artificial photosystem exploiting the unique characteristics of charged microdroplets.