Download Research on Innovative Technology for Solar Energy Conversion to

FUNDING PROGRAM FOR NEXT GENERATION WORLD-LEADING RESEARCHERS
Project Title: Research on Innovative Technology for Solar Energy Conversion to Chemical Energy
Name: Kazuhiro SAYAMA
Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
1. Background of research
In order to solve the global warming and fossil energy exhaustion problems, artificial photosynthesis
technologies for solar energy conversion and storage into chemical energy are now attracting attention.
However, conventional technologies have many disadvantages such as low efficiency, high cost, difficulty of
scale up, usage of precious metals and so on.
2. Research objectives
In this research, we investigate simple and highly efficient solar hydrogen technology, and establish the
possibility of practical and low cost system compared with a combination system of photovoltaic and water
electrolysis.
3. Research characteristics (incl. originality and creativity)
Our proposed technologies, “photocatalysis-electrolysis hybrid system using redox mediators” and “porous
semiconductor film photoelectrodes”, are one of promising systems with high efficiency and economic potential.
Moreover, efficient new semiconductors can be searched by our high throughput screening system using photoelectrochemical properties.
4. Anticipated effects and future applications of research
In future, practical and large scale artificial photosynthesis system with higher efficiency than natural
photosynthesis using stable semiconductor materials can be realized on desert or ocean. These new
technologies can contribute significantly to solution of energy problems in Japan and all over the world.