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Q&A with PISCO Team

What was your role within the team?

Damien Joly: I was the first person to work on the project with Renaud Demadrille. We started from scratch. Everything had to be done and explored, from molecular design to device fabrication. Laying the groundwork and exploring this new topic is the research project I am most proud of.

Juan Anta: I assisted with the fundamental understanding of the underlying processes behind the functioning of photochromic dye solar cells by means of impedance spectroscopy and related techniques.

Antonio Riquelme: My main contribution has been to understand the properties of these new materials using techniques such as impedance spectroscopy or quantum efficiency. This knowledge has also helped me to optimise other elements of photochromic DSSCs, such as the photoanode and the composition of the electrolyte.

Renaud Demadrille: I originally developed the idea and secured the funding thanks to an ERC grant to bring it to life. I design the molecules and some of the experiments and also reached out to experts at UPO, Solaronix, and the Université de Picardie to collaborate and help tackle key scientific challenges on this project.

What were the biggest challenges in this project?

Diego Mirani: One of the biggest challenges has been to address the issues of optimising the synthesis of the materials and successfully integrating them into devices to ultimately demonstrate the potential application of our work.

Juan Anta: To perform experiments on a system which react to the experimental action itself – it reminded me of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Antonio Riquelme: DSSCs are a well-established and well-studied technology. However, photochromic cells are a much newer system and presented many unknowns. One of the main challenges was to adapt the characterisation systems commonly used for DSSCs to systems as dynamic as these photochromic cells. Understanding the impact of the photochromic nature on the optoelectronic properties of the devices and their interaction with the different interfaces of the cell means relearning a lot of information that had been taken for granted.

What different strengths did different people bring to the team?

Diego Mirani: The diversity of expertise within our team has been essential in tackling the multifaceted nature of the project. Each member brings unique strengths from different areas of science, including organic material synthesis and characterisation, device fabrication and testing, computational modelling, and beyond.

Johan Liotier: We have a team with diverse backgrounds and experience, bringing both the organic synthesis skills needed to synthesise the dyes for solar cell fabrication and the physics skills needed to electrically characterise these devices.

Juan Anta: The team was very well balanced, everybody being an expert on a particular aspect of the problem, either theoretical, experimental or interpretational. The joint work was especially fruitful and enjoyable, which I regard as very valuable in science.

Antonio Riquelme: The group has a strong multidisciplinary character, with elements that have interacted in an exceptional way. I have had the opportunity to work with organic chemists who have extensive experience and knowledge in the design of new molecules. There were also theoretical chemists who were able to model and predict the properties of these molecules. To exploit these dyes, it had members skilled in device engineering and the design of tailor-made electrolytes. Finally, the involvement of the company Solaronix has been instrumental in achieving the goal of scaling up this technology to larger areas with the development of mini-modules.

Why is this work so important and exciting?

Damien Joly: It was a somewhat new area with many challenges to overcome, but the positive results felt tremendous. The concept is so visual that it is very satisfying to see progress. I am pleased to see how far Renaud's team has come with this, there are a lot of potential applications and I hope there will be an opportunity to move to a higher TRL soon.

Diego Mirani: By working at the forefront of renewable energy research, we are contributing to more sustainable energy solutions that could have a significant impact on global energy consumption and the fight against climate change. I find this important and exciting.

Where do you see the biggest impact of this technology/research being?

Diego Mirani: The biggest impact of this research is likely to be in the development of new types of solar cells, enabling applications that were previously overlooked and helping to capture energy that would otherwise be wasted.

Juan Anta: It expands the traditional use of dye solar cells by introducing a new concept, which, in particular, is difficult to characterise. Hence, the difficulty is stimulating and favours the implication of a wide range of scientists from very different fields.

Antonio Riquelme: I believe the greatest impact of this technology will be in the integration into windows and surfaces that need to let light through but can be used for energy generation.

How will this work be used in real life applications?

Diego Mirani: Our research could lead to the commercialisation of photovoltaic materials that can be integrated into everyday applications, such as photovoltaic and photochromic smart windows, contributing to global sustainability goals.

Juan Anta: I envision applications in building integrated photovoltaics and, as a very exciting opportunity, in agrivoltaics.

How do you see this work developing over the next few years, and what is next for this technology/research?

Johan Liotier: This technology has the potential to make a significant contribution to everyday energy harvesting by turning passive windows into active solar cells. For window applications, both transparency and the ability to provide shade when needed are key features – and this approach can achieve both while generating energy.

Juan Anta: For this research, I foresee the implication of scientists from complementary fields, in particular towards the improvement in stability.

What inspires or motivates your team?

Antonio Riquelme: The motivation is to combine organic chemistry and materials science to create innovative materials that support the ecological transition toward decentralised electricity production.

Renaud Demadrille: What truly inspires and motivates us is the opportunity to explore a new subject and help push the boundaries of knowledge in our field. As we shared the challenges we were facing, it was clear how engaged the team was, eagerly proposing new molecular designs, suggesting modifications to characterisation equipment, and applying machine learning approaches to accelerate device optimisation.

What is the importance of collaboration in the chemical sciences?

Damien Joly: Collaboration is essential in today's research. The depth and complexity of modern scientific topics means that no single team can tackle everything alone - especially in our field, which ranges from molecular design to the operating principles of photovoltaic devices. Meaningful progress is only possible through active interaction and collaboration with other teams.

Diego Mirani: Collaboration is essential in our field as it allows us to pool the strengths of different groups and their resources to solve complex problems.

Juan Anta: Cutting-edge research cannot be imagined today without the implication of scientists from complementary and yet connected areas of knowledge. ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº is not an exception.

What does good research culture look like or mean to you?

Diego Mirani: A good research culture is built on open communication and a shared passion for discovery. It includes a supportive environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and individuals are encouraged to think creatively and take risks.

Johan Liotier: A good research culture fosters an environment where trust in each other’s results and open discussion are fundamental. It also depends on granting enough freedom to encourage creativity and enable new discoveries.

Juan Anta: Balancing professional ambition with honest and transparent research.

Antonio Riquelme: To increase the knowledge of a given subject and to communicate it to the community in a rigorous and honest way. Think also about the social implications and communicate the relevance of scientific research to the public in a didactic and non-sensational way.

Renaud Demadrille: A good research culture is one that respects the highest standards of scientific integrity. It encourages students to contribute ideas, not just carry out tasks, as active members of a team. It is a culture that promotes learning and exchange between researchers from different disciplines.

How can scientists try to improve the environmental sustainability of research? Can you give us any examples from your own experience or context?

Diego Mirani: We try to minimise our environmental footprint by using less hazardous reagents where possible, reducing unnecessary steps in synthesis and favouring energy-efficient equipment. Even small changes, if applied consistently, can contribute to more sustainable practices.

Johan Liotier: To improve our environmental impact, we need to design the project with our impact in mind from the start. From small things like reusable consumables to thinking about synthesis according to the rules of green chemistry, we can and must do better. As travel is also an activity with a high carbon footprint, it is important to think about how we can limit our carbon emissions while maintaining the various collaborations and conference attendance.

Juan Anta: Always look beyond your current research. For example, if you think that a new compound might improve the performance of your device, first consider whether it is toxic or not abundant on Earth. It may not be worth researching.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in the chemical sciences?

Diego Mirani: Stay curious, don't be afraid to ask questions and learn from every mistake, that's how you make real progress.

Johan Liotier: Try to find an exciting topic to work on! Working in a team where people are motivated by their work is a great advantage and helps you learn a lot!

Juan Anta: Always pursue what motivates you. If you like what you do, you will always excel in it.

Renaud Demadrille: The advice I would give is to choose a subject that motivates you and don't be afraid to think outside the box. Exploring areas and topics that are still unknown is both useful and rewarding from a personal point of view.