Photonics for Energy Conversion and Healthcare

The goal of our research is to design, prepare and characterize advanced organic, inorganic and hybrid materials that process or produce light signals useful for technological applications in the areas of energy conversion and healthcare. Our research is based on a multidisciplinary approach that embraces theoretical chemistry, organic synthesis, photophysics, photochemistry, biochemistry, electrochemistry and materials science. We present some recent results concerning: - Multi-component systems mimicking artificial photosynthesis for the collection and conversion of light radiation into chemical energy containing organic, inorganic and bio-inorganic subunits. - Devices for converting solar energy into electrical energy (LSC, DSSC). - Photo- and electroluminescent materials for flat and diffuse light sources (OLED, LEC) and sensors, such as organic molecules and metal complexes. - Two-photon absorbers for biomedical and sensor applications. - Polymeric or hybrid nanoparticle systems for drug delivery, traceable in a biological environment by means of fluorescence imaging techniques. - Molecular modelling to predict the photochemical and photophysical properties of the systems under investigation.