Stimuli-responsive polymers adapt their properties in response to external cues. Engineering such “smart” behavior in artificial systems by molecular design is an exciting fundamental challenge that can lead to technological breakthroughs. Most stimuli-responsive polymers rely on heat and light to trigger changes in materials properties in a predictable fashion. However, limitations intrinsic to these stimuli […]
Engineering of Photo-rechargeable Nanoswimmers using Multicomponent Heterojunctions
The realization of smart nanoswimmers capable of moving and performing desired tasks in an aqueous environment is a technological challenge due to the viscous and thermal forces exerted upon them. While various types of external stimulus can be used to activate their autonomous motion, light is the easiest to operate and most flexible, due to […]
Engineering Bio-Inspired Systems for the Conversion of Solar Energy to Hydrogen
With this proposal, I aim to achieve the efficient conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The overall objective is to engineer bio-inspired systems able to convert solar energy into a separation of charges and to construct devices by coupling these systems to catalysts in order to drive sustainable and effective water oxidation and hydrogen production. […]