Consulting a Scientist: Professor Dick T. Co
Photo Credit: solar-fuels.org
In my previous blog entry “Let’s Talk About Solar Fuels,” I researched and presented some important information about solar fuels and its growing significance as a prominent source of renewable energy around the world.
Continuing with that theme, I thought it would be appropriate to interview Professor Dick T Co of Northwestern University, whom I met at a Science Cafe event in Evanston, IL. In addition to his position as a Research Associate Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern, Professor Co is also a Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Solar Fuels Institute (SOFI) and the Director of Operations & Outreach at the Argonne-Northwestern Solar Energy Research Center (ANSER Center).
According to his biography, one of Co’s goals as an educator is to improve science communication and outreach for elementary and high school students. By peaking the younger generations’ curiosity through engaging science-related multimedia, Co is determined to inspire students through research and real-world exploration. (To find out more about Professor Co’s academic background, please click here.)
Essentially, it is safe to say that all of Co’s current positions reflect his interest and love of scientific and societal innovation.
“At SOFI, I’m responsible for managing the Center’s daily activities as well as developing and maintaining partnerships with our external partners located in the United Kingdom, India, France, Korea, and other parts of the United States. I also have a hand in the overall development of SOFI’s Knowledge Map-- a searchable, worldwide database dedicated to solar fuels research,” Co shared.
While presenting his PowerPoint on solar fuels at the Science Cafe, Professor Co stated that humanity is directly linked to the current global energy problem. (In short, the more the world’s population grows [biologically, economically] the more energy is needed to support the needs of civilizations worldwide.)
Since the issue of global energy affects all of us directly, many individuals (e.g. scientists, engineers, business men & women, policy makers) are trying to understand how renewable fuels can improve everyone’s lives in the near future.
“A lot of people, especially innovators, are attempting to create models which will eventually help individuals as well as families easily obtain and use solar technologies. Additionally, global businesses and their financial partners are working together to facilitate change for the good of many by taking steps to become more energy efficient. In the spirit of this escalating energy revolution, SOFI seeks to become the catalyst, or precipitator, that brings the right partners together to help humanity find suitable and affordable solar energy alternatives,” Co explained.
One of the many fascinating projects currently being tackled by specialists at SOFI involves the subject of artificial photosynthesis. Currently, SOFI is working alongside its global partners to create a machine that will use the photosynthesis process to create fuel(s) such as methanol, otherwise known as racing alcohol. The first prototype is forecasted to be constructed near the end of 2016.
Check out this video describing the science behind the SOFI Artificial Tree!
Video Credit: SOFI Solar Fuels Institute via YouTube
In closing, I asked Professor Co to comment on the roles of trailblazers such as Melvin Calvin (American biochemist; won 1961 Nobel Prize for Chemistry) and Daniel Nocera (American biochemist- one of the world’s leading renewable energy researchers; created the term “artificial leaf” famous) in relation to SOFI’s current innovative endeavor.
“Professor Melvin Calvin and Professor Daniel Nocera are considered giants in the chemistry field. Without their groundwork, we wouldn’t have a foundational understanding of solar fuels. When compared to other forms of renewable energy such as wind, solar, and even biofuels, solar fuels have been known to be the hardest to understand from a science and technology standpoint. However, things are finally coming together; we now understand how nature works [photosynthesis] and what we can and cannot imitate. We are on the shoulders of the giants and we can see farther. It just took a little time to get there,” Co responded.
Bonus Material
Would you like to be a part of the Solar Energy Revolution? Learn more at www.gocloudsolar.com (Boston University)
Check out SOFI’s mission “to bring solar fuels technology out of the lab and into the marketplace”!
Video Credit: SOFI Solar Fuels Institute via YouTube
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