Thiruvananthapuram (The Hawk): Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in this city and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Indore have investigated and created a new artificial light-harvesting system that can effectively capture light for power conversion by imitating photosynthesis, the process by which plants absorb sunlight and produce sugar.
The findings of this investigation have been presented in the esteemed Royal Chemical Society journal, Chemical Science.
Dr. Sukhendu Mandal, an associate professor in the department of chemistry, along with his research assistants and Prof. Biswarup Pathak, a professor in the department at IIT Indore, are co-authors of the work.
With regard to the atomically exact molecule they created, Mandal described it as an assembly of 16 silver atoms, a ligand, and cyclodextrin that serves as a donor and I-carotene as an acceptor. This is the first application in which we have used an atom-precise nanocluster.
According to Mandal, "the opposing charges on the surfaces and the matched electrical energy distribution result in a 93% efficiency in energy transmission with a strong antenna effect from the UV to visible portion of the light spectrum."
Additionally, the researchers demonstrated that this energy may generate current with far higher yields than the sum of its parts.
This discovery coincides with the fact that researchers are working hard to construct systems that can mimic the photosynthesis process in order to create fake leaves or solar cells.
Chromophores are molecules that collect visible light and transmit it to other parts of plants and other photosynthetic microorganisms, where the energy is used for a variety of chemical reactions. They are the light-harvesting cores in these organisms.
The light-harvesting mechanism's molecular and atomic structure has been replicated in the lab a number of times. To imitate photosynthesis, polymeric structures, detergent-like compounds, vesicles, gels, and other bio-inspired structures have been employed.
The most frequent issue that these molecules run into is that the light is quenched as a result of the molecules aggregating or gathering together. Poor light capture and conversion efficiencies result from this.
The quenching issues with artificial light absorbers and transmitters have been solved by experts from IISER TVM and IIT Indore.
According to the research team's current thinking, this fundamental study of extremely effective energy transfer systems will serve as the foundation for the development of novel light-harvesting materials that can increase solar cells' efficiency and decrease energy loss.
This is crucial, according to Mandal, as India wants to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and fulfil 50% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030.
Although there is still much work to be done before these kinds of materials are widely used in solar energy production, the researchers believe that their research moves the goal of efficiency enhancement one step closer to reality.
(Inputs from Agencies)

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in this city and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Indore have investigated and created a new artificial light-harvesting system that can effectively capture light for power conversion by imitating photosynthesis, the process by which plants absorb sunlight and produce sugar.

Developed artificial photosynthetic devices for solar energy capture

Bhopal: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have created a new family of organic molecules that emit light in the near-infrared (NIR) range, opening possibilities for OLEDs for various applications. Light-emitting diodes or LEDs are tiny light-emitting devices that are commonly used in applications such as television screens, gadget displays, etc. They are different from traditional filament bulbs in that while bulbs emit light when heated, LEDs emit light when electricity (in the form of electrons) passes through them. OLEDs are a form of LEDs where the light emitting materials are organic molecules -- chemicals made largely of carbon and hydrogen. Although visible light-emitting OLEDs have already found mass application in displays for gadgets, televisions, and lighting, producing NIR-emitting OLEDs is challenging due to their unique molecular energy structure. Light-emitting molecules generate light when electrons fall from a high energy state (HOMO) to a low energy state (LUMO) inside the molecule, and the colour of the emitted light depends on the energy difference between the two states. The energy difference in organic molecules corresponds to visible light, making visible light-emitting OLEDs easier to design. The team at IISER created new organic molecules that have a very low-energy LUMO. This means that the energy difference between LUMO and HOMO is smaller, resulting in near-infrared light. "We have achieved a nitro group containing polycyclic aromatic molecules that exhibit fluorescence (light emission) in the near-IR wavelengths," said Prof. Jeyaraman Sankar, IISER Bhopal, in a statement. The team's new approach to obtaining stable electron-deficient molecules with NIR emission using nitration as a strategy is unique and has been published in the journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry - Chemical Science. The innovation lay in fine-tuning the structure of the nitro-group-containing molecules that typically do not fluoresce and are therefore usually non-light-emitting. Another challenge is to position the emission in the near-IR region. The team engineered the structure of the molecules such that they emit near-IR light. In addition, the synthesised molecules show strong electron affinity values, excellent stability, and structural rigidity. The fluorescence quantum yields (the amount of near-IR light emitted) are among the best for any known near-IR light-emitting electron-deficient materials, the team said. Apart from their use in OLED applications, the strong electron affinity, NIR emissive nature, high stability, and redox robustness of these molecules make them excellent candidates for catalysts. These molecules can also be used for near-IR devices that help in side effect alleviation, after selected chemotherapy procedures. The potential applications for near-IR-emitting OLEDs are vast, including biomedical sensors, short-range communication, night vision, and security. The discovery could potentially extend the use of organic light-emitting devices beyond visible light, with implications in a range of applicationsAfrom medical equipment to advanced security gadgets, the researchers said. —IANS

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have created a new family of organic molecules

IISER Bhopal Team Creates Organic Molecules That Emit Near-Infrared Light

New Delhi: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have constructed a high-quality genome assembly to decipher the genetic secrets of peacock — India’s national bird. The ornate features of the peacock’s tail have always fascinated scientists and nature enthusiasts. Even Charles Darwin, known as the father of evolution, had expressed bewilderment over the paradoxical grand display of the male peafowl, which made it more vulnerable to predators. Darwin resolved this puzzle with the theory of sexual selection, suggesting that such ornamental traits play a crucial role in attracting mates and enhancing reproductive success. Despite such understanding, the underlying genetic basis for these spectacular birds has always remained a mystery. In the new study, published in the journal Heliyon, the team focused on the Blue Peafowl, also known as the Indian Peacock, native to the Indian subcontinent, and the Green Peafowl, found in Southeast Asia. These two species of birds were chosen because despite being the only two species from the Pavo genus, the Blue Peafowl is classified as a species of “Least Concern,” while the Green Peafowl faces endangerment due to a decline in population size. They sought to understand the evolutionary and genetic reasons for their differential adaptability that makes the Blue Peafowl less endangered than the Green. Researchers found that genes related to nervous system development, immunity, and skeletal muscle development have undergone adaptive evolution in both bird species. However, the Blue Peafowl has more pronounced adaptive evolution, possessing a higher number of expanded gene families, segmentally duplicated genes, species-specific gene clusters, and genes with evolutionary signatures. “Our findings highlight the distinct genomic divergence between the two Asian peafowl species and provide valuable genomic clues to explain their contrasting population sizes,” said Vineet K. Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, IISER Bhopal, in a statement. “The green peafowl population appears to be more vulnerable to the consequences of habitat loss and human exploitation for food and commercial use. These activities have had a greater impact on their numbers, as they are less tolerant to human disturbances. “The reduction in their population has resulted in decreased gene flow, increased inbreeding, and lower genetic diversity, ultimately raising the risk of extinction for this species,” Sharma added. —IANS

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have constructed a high-quality genome

IISER-Bhopal Team Unravel Genetic Secrets Of Peacock

New Delhi: A team of researchers from IISER Mohali has uncovered the secrets behind the cold wave conditions in North India. In their study, which was published in the journal Weather and Climate Extremes and led by Professor Raju Attada they emphasize that the main cause of the freezing weather is the infiltration of dry air from the Siberian high.  The Siberian High is a weather phenomenon characterized by an accumulation of cold and dry air in northeastern Eurasia between November and February. It plays a role in shaping North Indias winter climate. The study investigates the causes and worrisome patterns associated with this ongoing cold wave.  By analyzing normalized minimum temperature anomalies the research team identifies cold waves when there are four or more consecutive days with a standard deviation below minus 2. On Wednesday Delhi and other northern regions experienced cold accompanied by rainfall and snowfall in various areas. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Delhi recorded a temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius four degrees below average for this season and a minimum temperature of 7.3 degrees Celsius slightly lower than normal.  The study attributes this prolonged wave to the intrusion of cold and dry air, from the Siberian High, which is intensified by atmospheric blocking caused by high latitude weather systems. This phenomenon leads to the build up of air resulting in extremely chilly conditions in northern India.  The research team, which includes KS Athira from IISER Mohali and V Brahmananda Rao from the National Institute for Space Research, Brazil mentions that this years winter atmospheric blocking has intensified waves causing them to persist longer from December to January.  By analyzing data from 1982 to 2020 the study highlights a decrease in the occurrence, duration and intensity of cold wave events during this period. This decline is attributed to increasing winter temperatures due to global warming and a reduction in the number of western disturbances (WDs) which are storms originating from the Caspian or Mediterranean Sea that bring non monsoonal rainfall to northwest India.  The researchers emphasize the impacts of cold waves on human health as well as agriculture, livestock and transportation. The risk of hypothermia and frostbite among groups underscores the need for clear policies, at different administrative levels.  Attada stresses the significance of understanding features and dynamics for accurate predictions of cold wave events. They urge actions aimed at saving human lives during such weather conditions.
—Input from Agencies

Unlocking the mysteries of North India's cold wave: IISER Mohali research exposes Siberian high impact, severe conditions, and climate trends.

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Developed artificial photosynthetic devices for solar energy capture

Pankaj Sharma

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Tag : IISER

Developed artificial photosynthetic devices for solar energy capture

Pankaj Sharma

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