Towards global artificial photosynthesis (Global Solar Fuels): Energy, nanochemistry, and governance

Some research papers presented at the first international conference dedicated to creating a Global Artificial Photosynthesis (GAP) or Global Solar Fuels (GSF) project, Lord Howe Island, August 14 18, 2011, are discussed. Craig Hill of Emory University spoke of his research involving a polyoxometalate water oxidation catalyst capable of strongly binding multiple transition metal centers proximal to one another, facilitating multi-electron processes such as the 4-electron oxidation of H ₂O to O ₂. The paper by Johannes Messinger provided a case study on how discrete solar fuels projects are being established around the world. A paper by Joseph Hughes and Elmars Krausz from ANU evaluated the centrality of the relatively poorly understood role of multi-electron processes in the ultrafast kinetics, energy-trapping events, and catalytic four-electron water oxidation chemistry of Photosystem II (PSII).