Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis

Virtually all life on our planet is powered by the sun through the process of photosynthesis. Understanding the design and operating principles of natural photosynthesis is a central challenge for fundamental research because biology presents a unique paradigm and possible blueprint for the realization of artificial alternatives. All processes of natural photosynthesis, including light harvesting, charge separation and accumulation, water oxidation, and carbon fixation, embody “solutions” optimized through billions of years of evolution to challenges currently faced by scientists developing components for artificial photosynthetic devices. The present chapter provides an overview of the most important aspects of natural photosynthesis and discusses the ways in which they motivate biomimetic and bioinspired research into artificial photosynthesis