Artificial Photosynthesis: Faraday Discussion

Introduction

Artificial photosynthesis has the potential to be one of the most promising sciences and technologies for solving the global environmental problems that may threaten the sustainability of humanity, caused by the exhaustion of fossil energy and carbon resources along with the rapid increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. A further escalation of the “CO2 crisis” now seems inevitable.
Modern research on artificial photosynthesis started in the late 20th century with three major milestones:

light induced water splitting using titanium dioxide (Honda-Fujishima effect: 1972)
water oxidation catalysis (Meyer: 1983)
photocatalytic reduction of CO2　(Lehn: 1986)

Since the previous successful Faraday Discussions meeting on Artificial Photosynthesis in 2011, the cutting edge of artificial photosynthesis research has developed very rapidly with many recent breakthroughs in various challenging approaches. Now the field is coming to a new stage where a definite contribution of the fundamental science and technology of artificial photosynthesis to their practical application is becoming a realistic need from the viewpoint of a globally sustainable society. Within decades artificial photosynthesis can be expected to provide one of the most likely and realistic options to address the needs of society as a whole. It will be important for scientists from many disciplines to work together towards the breakthroughs and developments that will be needed to realise this vision.

Aims

During this Faraday Discussion leading scientists in the broad areas related to all aspects of artificial photosynthesis will have the opportunity to discuss, exchange, and share knowledge on its rapidly advancing cutting edge, with a view to the fusion of many disciplines and cross-fertilization to find realistic pathways to artificial photosynthesis.
The program will incorporate biological approaches from the standpoint of learning from and understanding nature, fundamental processes, molecular catalysts, visible light responsive semiconductor catalysts, inorganic assembly catalysts, and integration of systems for demonstrating realistic devices. Sound communication between scientists and wider global society will also be a significant consideration.

Format

The Faraday Division have been organising high impact Faraday Discussions in rapidly developing areas of chemistry and its interfaces with other scientific disciplines for over 100 years.

Faraday Discussions have a special format where research papers written by the speakers are distributed to all participants before the meeting, and most of the meeting is devoted to discussing the papers. Everyone contributes to the discussion - including presenting their own relevant research. The research papers and a record of the discussion are published in the journal Faraday Discussions.
Learn more about Faraday Discussions here:

Themes

Biological approaches to artificial photosynthesis, fundamental processes and theoretical approaches

Key points for discussion will include learning, understanding, and modifying nature to approach artificial photosynthesis:
How does nature exert efficient water oxidation?
What is the structure of the reaction centre?
How does nature protect the reaction centre?
How can we couple light harvesting with electron transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer?
How can we utilize theoretical analysis and prediction for designing systems?

Molecular catalysts for artificial photosynthesis

Crucial points for discussion are water oxidation, hydrogen evolution, and CO2 reduction catalysis:
What are the bottleneck subjects and how can we get through them?
How can we get electrons from water for CO2 reduction?

Inorganic assembly catalysts for artificial photosynthesis

Key points for discussion are visible light responsive semiconductors, polyoxometalates, organic/inorganic hybrid compounds:
How can we improve charge separation?
How can we reduce the effect of defect?
How do hot electrons behave in the conduction band and how can we control the flow of the electrons?

Integration of systems for demonstrating realistic devices

Important points for discussion are systemization, coupling with solar cells, thermal decomposition of water by sunlight, energy payback time, cost payback time, science communication among general society:
How can we design, assemble, and integrate systems?
What is the time schedule?
When will industry join?
How and when does the general public choose to adopt technologies?

Deadlines

Oct 10 2016
Full Paper Submission Deadline

Useful links

Downloads

Speakers

Abstract Submission

Oral Abstracts and Research Papers

A full research paper containing new unpublished results always accompanies oral presentations at Faraday Discussions. Submit an oral/paper abstract if you wish to be considered for an oral presentation and associated published paper. The oral/paper abstract should outline current research in progress. Authors of the selected abstracts must then submit a full research paper with a significant amount of new, unpublished work by 10 October 2016.

The research papers are reviewed upon submission and are sent to all delegates 4 weeks before the meeting so they can be read in advance. At the meeting the presenting author is allowed five minutes to highlight the main points of their paper, and the rest of the time is for discussion. The discussion is recorded and will be published alongside the research paper in the Faraday Discussion Volume.

Poster Abstracts

Submit your poster abstract by 12 December 2016. Posters are displayed throughout the meeting and a poster session is held on the first evening. The Faraday Division Poster Prize will be awarded to the best poster presented by a student at the conference. Bursaries are available for student and younger members of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the early stages of their career (typically within 5 years of completing a first or postgraduate degree). See the bursary page for more details.

Additional Information

Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process within about 6 weeks of the submission deadline. The abstracts should be no longer than one A4 page in portrait layout. Please ensure you provide the details of the presenting author and indicate whether you are submitting an abstract for oral or poster presentation.

Deadlines

Downloads

Abstract template

Registration

Registration for Artificial Photosynthesis: Faraday Discussion is now open.

Please read the registration information on this page before registering.
Register by clicking on the online registration link on this page.
Please note accommodation is NOT included in the registration fee.

Registration includes:

Attendance thought the conference and poster session
Refreshments throughout the meeting
Lunch on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March
Attendance at the conference dinner on Wednesday 1 March
A copy of the discussion pre-prints
A copy of the final theme issue of Artificial Photosynthesis: Faraday Discussion containing papers presented at the Discussion (issued approximately 6 months after the meeting)**
For non-member registrants, membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry until the end of 2017

Registration Fees are as follows (JPY, Japanese Yen)

	Early Bird (by 9th January 2017)	Standard (by 30th January 2017
Non-member*	¥81,000.00	¥90,000.00
Member	¥63,000.00	¥72,000.00
Student non-member*	¥35,000.00	¥44,000.00
Student member	¥30,000.00	¥39,000.00

Registration fees are VAT exempt.
* If you are a Royal Society of Chemistry member and wish to register for this meeting, please select the member option on the online registration page. You will need to enter your membership number.

**Excluding students, who can order the volume at a reduced price at the conference.

Conference Banquet

The conference banquet on Wednesday 1 March is included in the registration fee.

Terms and Conditions for Events run by the Royal Society of Chemistry

Deadlines

Bursaries

We offer grants of up to £800 to assist with travel expenses to participate at this meeting. These are available to members who are PhD students, postdocs within 10 years of completing their PhD and early career scientists (including technicians) within 10 years of leaving full time education.

We also have a limited number of non-competitive travel grants of up to £200 for PhD and early career scientists travelling within their home country. These are assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Please note that we recommend you submit your application a minimum of three months before you need a decision. We will be unable to consider any applications received within 8 weeks of the start of the conference (3 January 2017)

Useful links

Sponsorship & supporting organisations

A selection of sponsorship opportunities are available for companies who would like to promote their activities at Artificial Photosynthesis Faraday Discussion

As well as booking a table top exhibition space, there are opportunities to sponsor social events, advertise in the abstract book or place a promotional item in delegate packs. See the sponsorship menu document (available to download from this page) for more details and prices.

Please note that exhibition spaces are limited, spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

If you would like more information about sponsoring Artificial Photosynthesis Faraday Discussion, please contact the Commercial Sales Department at the Royal Society of Chemistry - solutions@rsc.org Sponsorship Menu

Venue

Suzaku Campus, Ritsumeikan University

Lecture Hall, 4th Floor, Suzaku Campus, Ritsumeikan University, 1 Nishinokyo-Suzaku-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8520 , Japan

Useful links

Venue information More information about the venue

Downloads

Suzaku Campus Access Map

Accommodation

Accommodation is NOT covered in the registration fee and should be booked and paid by you.
It is strongly suggested you book accommodation at least 5 months in advance to guarantee your stay during the conference as Kyoto is a popular tourist attraction.

ANA CROWNE HOTEL KYOTO http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/kyoto/kstna/hoteldetail ¥cost around JPY 15,000

Kyoto Garden Hotel no smoking for all facilities and rooms http://www.kyoto-gardenhotel.co.jp/en/ ¥cost from JPY 9,000 up

Hearton Hotel Kyoto http://heartonhotel.com/kyo.aspx ¥cost from JPY 7,000 up

Hotel Kintetsu Kyoto Station Near the Kyoto Station and travel by subway to the venue, Triple rooms available http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/kyoto-station/english/index.html/ ¥cost from JPY 7,000

Committee

Other information

Japanese Visa
If you need our help in issuing the Invitation Letter for Japanese Visa, please contact us at least 2 months in advance.
Please be noted that there is extra JPY 10,000 ( Invitation Letter preparation and DHL postage) for this service.

Contact information

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Artificial Photosynthesis: Faraday Discussion

28 February - 2 March 2017, Kyoto, Japan

Introduction