Prof. Dr. Rienk Grondelle

Profile

Academic positionFull Professor
Research fieldsAtomic Physics, Molecular Physics, Laser Physics,Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
Keywordsphotosynthesis, excitation and charge transfer, single-molecule spectroscopy, open quantum systems

Current contact address

CountryNetherlands
CityAmsterdam
InstitutionVrije University Amsterdam (VU)
InstituteFaculty of Science

Host during sponsorship

Prof. Dr. Andreas BuchleitnerPhysikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg
Start of initial sponsorship01/11/2012

Programme(s)

2012Humboldt Research Award Programme

Nominator's project description

Professor van Grondelle is one of the most influential experimental physicists working on the primary physical processes of photosynthesis worldwide. He made seminal contributions to the elucidation and understanding of the fundamental physical mechanisms that underlay light harvesting and charge separation as the essential steps in the photosynthesis of bacteria and plants. Beyond the biological realm, his research inspires technological solutions for artificial photosynthesis, as a possible route towards sustainable energy production on a global scale. In Germany, he will explore the potential of disorder and quantum interference effects for efficient light harvesting.