Harnessing solar energy for electrocatalytic biorefinery using lignin-derived photothermal materials

Lignin valorization: improving lignin processing in the biorefinery.

Research and development activities directed toward commercial production of cellulosic ethanol have created the opportunity to dramatically increase the transformation of lignin to value-added products. Here, we highlight recent advances in this lignin valorization effort. Discovery of genetic variants in native populations of bioenergy crops and direct manipulation of biosynthesis pathways ha...

Harnessing Africa's untapped solar energy potential for health.

Dr Sam Wamani’s sister-in-law bled to death in his arms, a victim of obstetric complications. “It happened 10 years ago,” says the 33-year-old resident of Leba, in western Uganda. “My brother came to my door at 1 am. I had just graduated from medical school in Kampala, and he thought I could help. I said we had to get her to the health unit.” She could not walk, so they wheeled her on a bicycle...

Theory of solar energy materials.

Energy materials: supramolecular nanoparticles for solar energy harvesting

Renewable resource of carbon-free energy is crucial in the current scenario of global warming and our growing energy needs. Besides, the significance of safer energy resources has been underscored by many nuclear mishaps, including the recently crippled Fukushima Nuclear power plant in Japan. Sunlight is the most promising alternative to nuclear fuels and greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil and alco...

Elaboration and Testing of Materials Using Concentrated Solar Energy

1. Brief history of the use of solar energy to transform matter 2. Main characteristics of solar furnaces 3. Elaboration of materials using concentrated solar energy 3.1 Surface treatments 3.2 Melting and purification of bulk materials 3.3 Production of chemical commodities and ceramics 3.4 Elaboration of carbon molecules, nanomaterials and thin films 4. Testing of materials using concentrated ...