Scientists are constantly targeting the life-sustaining oxygen cycle that is partially driven by the process of photosynthesis. Light Harvesting Complexes of Photosystem II (PSII) absorb the solar energy and transfer excitons to the reaction centres. This is achieved via an elaborate network of chlorophyll pigments, and excitons are finally converted into chemical energy. There is however a drawback in this natural process under excess light conditions: a photoprotective mechanism is activated to protect PSII by converting a significant amount of exciton energy into heat. In this talk, the focus will be on large-scale Molecular Simulations. These reveal control points, along the elaborate pigment network, that formulate the sites where excess energy is dissipated and lost. The insight obtained into the dynamics of the photosynthetic apparatus is associated with applications in solar energy harvesting by artificial materials.
For forthcoming colloquia, please see: http://www.materials.uoc.gr/el/colloquia