Mr Nicholas Paul

Research Group: Chemistry and Optoelectronics

Supervisor (s): Dr Erwin Reisner and Prof Sir Richard Friend

Education: MChem in Chemistry from Newcastle University, UK

Research topic: Bio-inspired solar cells for renewable Hydrogen production

I am looking at designing novel solar cells that incorporate biological systems, which can photochemically catalyze the oxidation of water and subsequently reduce the newly evolved protons to hydrogen. The aims of my project within the Chemistry department are to improve the efficiency of electron transport through the cell. This involves incorporating new, photoactive materials to re-energize the electrons during charge separation and modifying the electrodes to facilitate stronger, more controlled binding of the catalysts. Work with the Fastlab group (part of the Optoelectronics group) will focus on optical monitoring of the kinetics of charge separation/recombination throughout these systems. The data collected will help us to identify sections of the cell that could be further optimised.