Professor James Durrant, a member of the ICIQ Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) since 2014, has received earlier this week his CBE for his outstanding contribution to photochemistry and solar energy research from Princess Anne. The Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) forms part of the Honours System of the United Kingdom.

 

 

Prof. Durrant is the Director of Imperial’s Centre for Processable Electronics (CPE) and was the founding director of the UK’s Solar Fuels Network. He has dedicated his research to the development of renewable, low-cost energy technologies, which is a crucial scientific challenge for the 21st century. His team focuses on new chemical approaches to solar energy conversion to produce electricity (photovoltaics) or molecular fuels, such as hydrogen. They also tackle the related challenge of electrocatalytic fuel synthesis.

By combining fundamental optical studies into light-driven reactions with materials and device design, Prof. Durrant’s team creates design principles that help guide technological development. He has expressed his gratitude for the award, saying, “Research is a team effort, and I would like to thank the wonderful people I have worked with during my career on photochemistry and solar energy research, including the many colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with at ICIQ”.

The Order of the British Empire was established in 1917 by King George V to honour those who had served in a non-combative role. The Order has since expanded to reward contributions to the Arts, Sciences, Charitable work and Public Service, and Prof. Durrant’s recognition is a testament to his remarkable achievements in the field of photochemistry and solar energy research.