Solar Energy: Chemical Conversion and Storage

✍ Scribed by Melvin Calvin (auth.), Richard R. Hautala, R. Bruce King, Charles Kutal (eds.)

• Publisher: Humana Press
• Year: 1979
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 421
• Series: Contemporary Issues in Science and Society
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The intense current interest in the development of solar energy as a viable energy alternative comes as no surprise in view of the widespread awareness of impending world-wide energy shortages. After all, the magnitude of energy available from the sun is impressive, its diffuseness and intermittent nature notwithstanding. The fact that, as a source, it represents a constant and inex­ haustible supply of energy is alluring. The fact that most solar application schemes are nonpolluting in nature is an attractive bonus. In spite of these impressive attributes, research and development in the area of solar energy is in its infancy, owing largely to the prior lack of any need to exploit such diffuse sources. Indeed efforts in this area have traditionally been within the province of solid-state physics and engineering. The problems associated with efficient light harvesting and storage, however, are not simply technological ones. Effec­ tive solutions to these problems appear to lie beyond the current forefront of the chemical sciences. Consequently input fr9m scientists previously engaged in fundamental chemistry has begun to emerge. Thus many of the contributions in this volume represent input from research groups with a relatively short history of involvement in solar energy. On the other hand, the long-standing and perceptive commitment of Professor Melvin Calvin to research involving solar energy represents the other extreme. This volume covers a variety of approaches to the problem of efficiently converting and storing solar energy.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Petroleum Plantations....Pages 1-30
Solar Energy Conversion in Photosynthesis — Features Relevant to Artificial Systems for the Photochemical Conversion of Solar Energy....Pages 31-50
The Chlorophyll a Water Splitting Light Reaction....Pages 51-81
The “Tandem Photoelectrolysis Plant” Concept: A Strategy for Fuel Production via Biomass Conversion Wastes....Pages 83-115
Light-Induced Electron Transfer Reactions in Solution, Organized Assemblies and at Interfaces: Scope and Potential Applications....Pages 117-140
Effect of the Micellar Phase on Photo-Induced Reactions(1)....Pages 141-152
Photochemical Determinants of the Efficiency of Photogalvanic Conversion of Solar Energy....Pages 153-187
Reversible Excited-State Electron-Transfer Reactions of Transition Metal Complexes....Pages 189-202
Photogalvanovoltaic Cells and Photovoltaic Cells using Glassy Carbon Electrodes....Pages 203-235
Growth and Characterization of Thin Film III–V Compound Semiconductor Material for Solar Cell Applications....Pages 237-260
Nitrogen Reducing Solar Cells....Pages 261-269
Photosensitization Mechanisms for Energy Storing Isomerizations....Pages 271-298
Novel Photocyclization Reactions of 1-Alkenyl-2-Pyridones....Pages 299-332
The Norbornadiene-Quadricyclene Energy Storage System....Pages 333-369
New AB 5 Hydrides and their Application in Chemical Heat Pump Systems....Pages 371-393
The Role of the Solar Energy Research Institute....Pages 395-403
Back Matter....Pages 405-419

✦ Subjects

Neurosciences