Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels
Stored: Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels
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Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE) is a DOE Energy Innovation Hub led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, focused on pioneering artificial photosynthesis by combining light-absorbing semiconductors with molecular catalysts to convert sunlight, water, and CO2 into liquid fuels like methanol or ethanol.
Launched in July 2020 as part of the Fuels from Sunlight program, CHASE builds on the legacy of the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP), uniting over 35 investigators across six institutions to tackle efficiency, selectivity, and scalability challenges in solar fuel production.
Mission
CHASE’s mission is to revolutionize solar fuels by developing hybrid photoelectrodes that merge semiconductor light absorption with molecular catalysis, aiming for selective, efficient conversion of sunlight into storable liquid fuels while blending experimental and theoretical approaches to uncover new design principles. It seeks to advance DOE’s clean energy goals by creating scalable systems that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, leveraging advanced spectroscopy and computational modeling to understand and optimize photochemical processes at the molecular level.
Parent organization
CHASE operates under the Department of Energy, specifically the Office of Science’s Basic Energy Sciences program, which funds and oversees its research efforts. The Department of Energy is the top organization, aligning CHASE with national priorities for sustainable energy innovation.
Legislation
CHASE was not created by specific legislation but was established in July 2020 as part of DOE’s Fuels from Sunlight Energy Innovation Hub program, awarded $40 million through a competitive process announced by Under Secretary Paul Dabbar.
Partners
CHASE’s core partners include:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (lead)
- Yale University
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- University of Pennsylvania
- North Carolina State University
- Emory University
Number of employees
CHASE does not have a dedicated employee count; it engages over 35 investigators—faculty, postdocs, and students—across its six partner institutions, with additional support staff as needed.
Organization structure
CHASE is structured around two research thrusts:
- Catalyst-Semiconductor Interfaces Team designs hybrid photoelectrodes.
- Cascades Catalysis Team develops multi-catalyst systems for fuel synthesis.
Leader
CHASE is led by a Director, Gerald J. Meyer of UNC-Chapel Hill, who oversees its scientific and collaborative efforts.
Divisions
The efforts include:
- Photoelectrode Research for hybrid systems.
- Catalysis Development for selective fuel production.
- Theoretical Modeling for design optimization.
List of programs
Key CHASE initiatives include:
- Hybrid Photoelectrode Development
- Multi-Catalyst Cascade Research
- Spectroscopic Analysis Projects
Last total enacted budget
CHASE received a $40 million DOE award for its initial phase (FY 2020-2025), averaging $8 million annually, with potential for renewal based on performance and funding availability.
Staff
Staffing includes over 35 researchers from partner institutions, with expertise in chemistry, materials science, and computational modeling, with no standalone headcount for CHASE.
Funding
CHASE’s funding of $40 million spans 2020-2025 from DOE’s Office of Science, building on JCAP’s achievements, with institutional support from partners, subject to annual appropriations.
Services provided
CHASE conducts research into hybrid solar fuel systems, develops selective catalysis techniques, and provides advanced spectroscopic and theoretical insights, advancing the science of artificial photosynthesis for practical energy applications.
Regulations overseen
CHASE does not oversee regulations but supports DOE’s clean energy objectives through foundational research.
Headquarters address
Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (UNC-Chapel Hill campus; specific building TBD)
History
CHASE was launched on July 29, 2020, as a DOE Fuels from Sunlight Hub, succeeding JCAP (2010-2020), with a $40 million award to UNC-Chapel Hill and partners to advance solar fuels science. It has progressed with publications like those in Nature Energy and continues to evolve under DOE’s Energy Earthshots, focusing on hybrid approaches distinct from LiSA’s co-design strategy.
External links
- Official Website
- wikipedia:Center_for_Hybrid_Approaches_in_Solar_Energy_to_Liquid_Fuels
- DOE Fuels from Sunlight Program
- UNC Chemistry CHASE Page