Sustainable energy research

Trees are not only impressive objects, they also harbour sophisticated energy technologies. Water splitting and water drawing with solar energy are examples, while resilience to extreme climatic conditions provides others.

Living nature has developed great skill in harvesting solar and ambient energy, which is available on our planet mainly in the form of small energy packages. The essential scientific-technical tools to handle such technologies are provided by physico-chemical and electrochemical mechanisms. During a fascinating research period with many challenges, in which I collaborated with numerous students and colleagues, I was able to contribute more than 450 scientific papers. They are mainly aimed at the collection and conversion of solar energy and I am proud to have worked on relevant issues. Selected results from my research areas are summarised here.