Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis
Stored: Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis
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Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) is a DOE Energy Innovation Hub led by the California Institute of Technology, established to pioneer artificial photosynthesis by creating systems that use sunlight to produce hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels from water and carbon dioxide.
Launched in 2010 and concluding its primary mission in 2020, JCAP developed over 1,000 material combinations and prototypes, transitioning its legacy to the Liquid Sunlight Alliance (LiSA) while leaving a lasting impact on solar fuels research.
Mission
JCAP’s mission was to advance the science of solar fuels by designing integrated systems that mimic natural photosynthesis, achieving high efficiency in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen or reducing CO2 into fuels like methane, with a focus on scalability and durability. It sought to bridge basic research with practical applications through multidisciplinary collaboration, supporting DOE’s vision for renewable energy and influencing subsequent hubs like LiSA.
Parent organization
JCAP operated under the Department of Energy, specifically the Office of Science’s Basic Energy Sciences program, which provided funding and oversight. The Department of Energy was the top organization, aligning JCAP with national clean energy goals.
Legislation
JCAP was not created by specific legislation but was established in July 2010 as DOE’s first Energy Innovation Hub, funded with $122 million initially through Congressional appropriations, prompted by Secretary Steven Chu’s initiative.
Partners
JCAP’s core partners included:
Number of employees
JCAP did not have a fixed employee count; it engaged over 200 scientists—faculty, postdocs, and students—across its partner institutions during its decade-long run.
Organization structure
JCAP was structured around research thrusts:
- Light Capture and Conversion Team developed photoabsorbers.
- Catalysis Team designed efficient catalysts.
- Systems Integration Team built prototypes.
- Materials Discovery Team screened thousands of compounds.
Leader
JCAP was led by a Director, Nathan S. Lewis of Caltech, who guided its scientific and operational efforts from 2010 to 2020.
Divisions
The efforts included:
- High-Throughput Experimentation for material screening.
- Prototype Development for solar fuel devices.
- Computational Modeling for system optimization.
List of programs
Key JCAP initiatives included:
- Solar Fuels Prototype Development
- High-Throughput Materials Discovery
- Catalysis Optimization Research
Last total enacted budget
JCAP’s total budget was $135 million over 10 years (2010-2020), with $122 million in initial DOE funding (2010-2015) and a $13 million extension (2015-2020).
Staff
Staffing included over 200 researchers from Caltech, Berkeley Lab, and other partners, with expertise in chemistry, physics, and materials science, with no standalone JCAP headcount.
Funding
JCAP’s $135 million funding came from DOE’s Office of Science ($122M initial, $13M renewal), supplemented by partner contributions, concluding in 2020 as its mission transitioned to LiSA.
Services provided
JCAP developed solar fuel prototypes, screened over 1,000 material combinations via high-throughput methods, and provided computational models, laying the groundwork for practical artificial photosynthesis systems.
Regulations overseen
JCAP did not oversee regulations but supported DOE’s renewable energy policies through scientific advancements.
Headquarters address
1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA (Caltech campus)
History
JCAP was founded in July 2010 as DOE’s inaugural Energy Innovation Hub, awarded $122 million to Caltech and Berkeley Lab to pioneer solar fuels. Over a decade, it produced over 1,000 publications, validated prototypes achieving 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, and concluded in 2020, succeeded by LiSA with its findings integrated into DOE’s Energy Earthshots.