Researchers in MECS are working to unlock what is often called the “holy grail” of the energy transition: artificial photosynthesis. Inspired by natural leaves, scientists aim to use sunlight directly to drive chemical reactions that store energy—without first converting light into electricity. Nature has optimized photosynthesis over billions of years, but modern chemistry is now beginning to reproduce key elements of this process in simplified, highly efficient artificial systems.

At the University of Vienna, organic chemist Davide Bonifazi develops stable, light-absorbing organic molecules (chromophores) that mimic the role of pigments in leaves. These molecules can be precisely tuned to different wavelengths of sunlight and convert light into directed electron flows that drive chemical reactions, such as transforming CO₂ into fuels or producing hydrogen. At TU Wien, Dominik Eder focuses on nanoscale, highly porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that act as ultra-efficient catalytic “electron highways,” enabling reactions to occur faster and with far less energy loss.

These complementary approaches are now combined in the Excellence Cluster MECS (Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage), founded in 2024 and funded with around €20 million by the FWF. Scientists from Vienna, Innsbruck, and ISTA are collaborating to build hybrid systems that merge powerful chromophores with advanced catalysts. While large-scale artificial photosynthesis is still in development, pilot projects—particularly for solar-driven hydrogen production—are already emerging worldwide. Researchers see strong potential for decentralized energy supply, space applications, and combined solar panels that generate both heat and clean fuels, signaling that a new era of solar chemistry may be close at hand.