Exploiting quantum coherent energy transfer in light-harvesting systems
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
It is believed that with a broad understanding of how natural photosynthetic systems work, we might be able to create artificial systems that would use solar light as efficient, sustainable and carbon-neutral source of energy. Important experimental breakthroughs have recently shown that quantum coherent transfer of photo-excitation takes place in natural light-harvesting systems. This suggests a new way to think about the design of future artificial photosynthetic systems and a far-reaching question can be asked at this point: how can quantum coherence and quantum correlations be exploited in the design of new energy transfer devices? In order to tackle this question the proposed research aims at linking the conceptual framework of Quantum information Science with the characterisation of excitation transfer in molecular complexes. Apart from biomolecular complexes, of particular interest is also the excitation transfer dynamics in other supramolecular systems such as DNA-based molecular photonic wires. A central characteristic common to all these scenarios is that the systems of interests, i.e. coupled pigments, are embedded in rather complex and fluctuating environments, i.e. protein. Remarkably, recent experimental studies show that preservation of coherence in some of these molecular aggregates relies on the fact that close units share the same protein environment as opposed to the common belief that environmental modes act locally. These unique features open up different possibilities to control and manipulate photo-excitation transfer dynamics. This research will therefore focus on addressing three important aspects that represent challenges in the manipulation of such systems as functional devices: (i) the role of quantum coherence and quantum correlations in the efficiency of energy transfer, (ii) the effects of correlated environments, and (iii) the robustness of such coherence to static and dynamic fluctuations. Collaborations with experimental groups will ensure that unambiguous ways to identify and exploit quantum coherence and correlations in such molecular complexes are proposed. The results can have potentially high-impact on the design of new technologies exploiting solar light efficiently. From a more fundamental viewpoint, this research will help to gain important insights into the function of quantum coherence during the primary events in photosynthesis.
People |
ORCID iD |
Alexandra Olaya-Castro (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Fassioli F
(2010)
Quantum State Tuning of Energy Transfer in a Correlated Environment
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Fassioli F
(2010)
Distribution of entanglement in light-harvesting complexes and their quantum efficiency
in New Journal of Physics
Fassioli F
(2009)
Energy transfer in light-adapted photosynthetic membranes: from active to saturated photosynthesis.
in Biophysical journal
Fassioli F
(2012)
Coherent Energy Transfer under Incoherent Light Conditions.
in The journal of physical chemistry letters
Hossein-Nejad H
(2015)
Work, heat and entropy production in bipartite quantum systems
in New Journal of Physics
Hossein-Nejad H
(2012)
Phonon-mediated path-interference in electronic energy transfer
in The Journal of Chemical Physics
Hossein-Nejad H
(2013)
Dynamical crossovers in Markovian exciton transport
in New Journal of Physics
Kolli A
(2012)
The fundamental role of quantized vibrations in coherent light harvesting by cryptophyte algae.
in The Journal of chemical physics
Description | We implemented theoretical frameworks for accurate computation of electronic dynamics that is subject to the influence of vibrational environments with no trivial structure, as it happens in photosynthetic complexes -biomolecules that capture and transform sunlight during the early steps of photosynthesis. We demonstrated possible relations between quantum phenomena and efficient energy transfer within light-harvesting antennae. Our theoretical calculations allowed us to put forward the relevance of non-equilibrium vibrational motion on the dynamics of electronic coherence and on the overall performance of these biomolecules. We provided, for the first time, unambiguous theoretical evidence of truly non-classical features of the molecular motions assisting ultrafast energy transfer in prototype light-harvesting units thereby opening the door to uncover a role for quantum dynamical phenomena in biology. We collaborated with other researchers to propose a set of nature-inspired physical principles that can be implemented in the generation of future energy technologies. |
Exploitation Route | Our findings have already inspired further scientific research and have attracted the interest of the general public. Our work has the potential to inspire the design of the next generation of new molecular scale devices capable of concentrating sunlight and converting energy efficiently and with precision. As this research lies at the interface between quantum science, physical chemistry and biology, it can influence the higher education of scientists in these fields. |
Sectors | Education,Energy |
URL | http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucapaol/ |
Description | Our findings have been widely communicated to different audiences ranging from the general public to researchers worldwide. They have been used to inform policy makers such as the European Science Foundation. The findings of this research where also made available to general public audiences through participation at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition on July 2016. Other public engagement activities with this research at the Glastonbury 2017 (June 2017) and the Green Man 2017 (August 2017) music festivals, and the UCL Bloomsbury Festival 2017 (October 2017). These events have been attended by 135,000, 20,000 and 25,000 people, respectively. The research on quantum effects on photosynthesis was featured in "The Secrets of Quantum Physics" by Prof Jim Al-Khalili. It aired on BBC Four for the first time on 16 December 2014, and 7 more times until August 2018. The research was also featured in "Magic Numbers: Hannah Fry's Mysterious World of Maths". It aired twice on BBC Four in October 2018, with a total audience of 369,000 people. Moreover, the same episode has been watched on YouTube 57,087 times with 229 comments and an overall 96.7% positive rating as of 11 February 2019. |
Sector | Education,Other |
Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | FARQUEST (to be known as FarQBio) |
Geographic Reach | Asia |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Future and Emerging Technologies |
Amount | £184,319 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 323901 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2013 |
End | 08/2016 |
Description | Quantum secrets of photosynthesis at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2016: EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Raised public awareness of research on quantum effects in photosynthesis and its applications to future solar technologies. |
Collaborator Contribution | EPSRC IAA provided funding for our participation in the exhibition. University of Glasgow partnered us in the presentation of information and interaction with the public. |
Impact | Generated knowledge among visitors to the exhibition. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Quantum secrets of photosynthesis at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2016: EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account |
Organisation | University of Glasgow |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Raised public awareness of research on quantum effects in photosynthesis and its applications to future solar technologies. |
Collaborator Contribution | EPSRC IAA provided funding for our participation in the exhibition. University of Glasgow partnered us in the presentation of information and interaction with the public. |
Impact | Generated knowledge among visitors to the exhibition. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Cambridge University Physics Students Society, Science Talks. (Cambridge, UK) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 50 undergraduate and general public members attended this Science Talk organised by the Cambridge University Physics Students Society |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Cheltenham Science Festival, Session on Quantum Biology (Cheltenham, UK) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 200 general public attended the session of Quantum Biology of the Cheltenham Science Festival in 2013. This sparked questions and discussions afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Colombia at Oxford (Oxford, UK) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Around 80 participants attended this presentation describing the impact of Colombians having studied in Oxford. The presentations generated questions and discussions afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | https://oucolombiansociety.wordpress.com/events/ |
Description | Exhibit at the 2016 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Over 10,000 members of the general public and over 2,600 students visited our stand on "Quantum secrets of photosynthesis" at the the 2017 Royal Society Summer Exhibition. The exhibition generated an interest in biology teachers on the aspects of quantum mechanics and members of the general public agreed that they now had an increased understanding of how science affects our daily lives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/summer-science-exhibition/exhibits/quantum-secr... |
Description | Gave a TEDx talk in 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Delivered a TEDx talk at the 2016 TEDxBogotaMujeres event. The talk is delivered in Spanish and is about breaking socioeconomical and gender stereotypes through taking the option B, that first disruptive action that leads a person to explore all the dimensions of what they love to be and do. During the talk I describe the research I do as an example of breaking stereotypes. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://youtu.be/t2GxMJDsl6Q |