VITSOLC, a Barcelona-based startup and ICFO spin-off, is dedicated to creating transparent solar modules that seamlessly blend into applications where traditional photovoltaics fall short — such as electric vehicles, sustainable buildings, and greenhouses. In the five interview of the “Meet our team” series, Sergi Cuesta, CTO of VITSOLC, shares insights into its role in SOREC2 project, the challenges of scaling up new technologies, and how the team’s industrial expertise can contribute to bringing cutting-edge renewable energy solutions closer to market reality.
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SOREC2 researchers develop a novel passivation technique to improve BiVO4’s photoanodes efficiency
A team of researchers, including SOREC2 team members, have developed a new way to improve the efficiency of bismuth vanadate photoanodes for their use in photoelectrochemical systems for water oxidation. In a new study, published in the journal Applied Materials Today, the researchers describe the implementation for the first time of a passivation layer in BiVO4 photoanodes, achieving a 37% improvement in photocurrent density compared to standard bare BiVO4 photoanodes.
Read moreMeet our team: SAULE
SAULE Technologies is a Polish high-tech company focused on the development of inkjet-printed, flexible perovskite solar cells. These ultra-thin, adaptable cells hold immense potential for a variety of applications, including their integration in new photoelectrochemical solutions. In this sixth installment of our “Meet our team” series, we speak with Łukasz Haryński, who sheds light on Saule’s contribution to SOREC2 project, the complexities of working with perovskite materials, and how their innovative technology is paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Read moreExploring public perspectives: citizen workshops on new solar-to-fuel technologies
Between October and November 2024, the SOREC2 project organized three citizen workshops in Poland, Denmark, and Spain. These citizen meetings were part of the tasks of the Work Package 5. Their primary objective was to gather public opinions and attitudes about Photo-Electrochemical Cells (PECs), ensuring the development of socially and environmentally sensitive Solar-to-Fuel technologies. Participants explored perspectives on the benefits and challenges of PECs technology, with nearly 100 participants (99 total) contributing to these discussions.
Read moreVisiting researcher from UNIFE at UAB to explore the optimization of bismuth vanadate photoanodes
Alberto Magliocco, researcher from the University of Ferrara (UNIFE), recently completed a one-month research stay at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) to advance his PhD project. His current research project focuses on optimizing bismuth vanadate photoanodes for use in the final SOREC2 photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell, enabling efficient sunlight-driven water oxidation.
Read moreSOREC2 showcased at “Chimica sotto l’albero” in Bari
Alberto Magliocco, a PhD student in Professor Serena Berardi’s group at the University of Ferrara and SOREC2 team member, participated in the “Chimica sotto l’albero” symposium. This chemistry event, organized by the Italian Chemical Society and the University of Bari Aldo Moro, took place at the Politecnico di Bari from December 19th to 20th, 2024. The symposium included keynote lectures from leading researchers in fields such as virtual reality in education, advanced battery design, and organic synthesis among other topics.
Read moreMeet our team: VITSOLC
VITSOLC, a Barcelona-based startup and ICFO spin-off, is dedicated to creating transparent solar modules that seamlessly blend into applications where traditional photovoltaics fall short — such as electric vehicles, sustainable buildings, and greenhouses. In the five interview of the “Meet our team” series, Sergi Cuesta, CTO of VITSOLC, shares insights into its role in SOREC2 project, the challenges of scaling up new technologies, and how the team’s industrial expertise can contribute to bringing cutting-edge renewable energy solutions closer to market reality.
Read moreSOREC2 researcher defends his PhD thesis on overcoming losses in organic solar cells
Francisco Bernal-Texca, a researcher at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) and a member of the SOREC2 team, successfully defended his doctoral thesis on “Photonic based approaches to overcome intrinsic losses in organic solar cells” on November 29th 2024.
Read moreListening citizens to inform the SOREC2 technology
On October 25th, the first session of the workshop “Which future do you want for renewable energies?” was held in Barcelona. Organized by “Science for Change”, on behalf of Democracy X (formerly DBT) in Spain, this workshop is part of the tasks assigned to the work package 5 of SOREC2 project to gather public views and opinions on CO2 valorization and the SOREC2 technology.
Read moreCatSyNanoMat researchers showcase SOREC2 project at the UAB Innovation Fair 2024
A team of members of the CatSyNanoMat research group at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) participated in the 2024 edition of the UAB Innovation Fair, held at the Hotel EXE campus last October 15th. The event, which is part of the Innovation Week, provided a platform for researchers to connect with other research groups as well as companies, startups, and investors.
Read moreSOREC2 team members at the WIRMS 2024
Carles Ros and Emmanouela Andrioti, both researchers at ICFO and SOREC2 team members, attended the 12th International Workshop on Infrared Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Accelerator Based Sources (WIRMS 2024). The event was held in Castelldesfels, Spain, from 7h to 11th October 2024. At the event, they presented a poster titled “Understanding the instability in high-performance organic photoanodes.“
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