Tucson Standard

A University of Arizona associate professor has been chosen to lead the new Energy Frontier Research Center for Soft PhotoElectroChemical Systems, an $11 million facility that aims to advance molecular-level solar science.

At the helm of the Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) will be Erin Ratcliff, an associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering and chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Arizona. Ratcliff is also director of the university's Laboratory for Interface Science for Printable Electronic Materials.

"Leading an EFRC is an outstanding achievement for faculty members at any stage in their careers, but this is particularly notable because Erin Ratcliff, who began at the university as a postdoc, is an associate professor," David Hahn, the Craig M. Berge Dean of the College of Engineering, said in a news release by the university. "Erin is an excellent researcher with a knack for bringing together experts from different disciplines, backgrounds and career stages to solve grand challenges related to sustainable energy. Her approach to science and engineering is perfectly aligned with the EFRC program."

The Center for Soft PhotoElectroChemical Systems (SPECS) will delve into the molecular-level science behind semiconductor technologies, according to the release. The semiconductors absorb light, make electricity and put it to work driving electrochemical reactions and producing “solar fuels,” which are more Earth friendly than fossil fuels.

SPECS uses organic polymers—or chains of molecules that interact with one another at various points, which have increased reliability over manmade particles by providing more pathways for a chemical reaction to follow, Ratcliff said. The result gives researchers more options.

"If you have a molecule and you break one bond, that molecule is now a completely different molecule, with new properties, new colors, new energy levels, new electrochemistry," she said. "But with polymers, you can break one bond and it can be possible to still do everything you need it to do."

This year alone, the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded more than $400 million to start and further the work of 43 frontier research centers similar to SPECS, the release said.

"The Department of Energy's Energy Frontier Research Centers enable researchers to collaborate on bold, innovative solutions to address our nation's need for sustainable energy technologies," Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, UArizona senior vice president for research and innovation, said. "I want to congratulate Dr. Ratcliff on this major achievement, not only in leading the College of Engineering's first EFRC, but, more importantly, in advancing the science and technology of solar fuel."

Ratliff’s team is focused on a specific class of polymeric materials, which “contain alternating single and double bonds between molecules and are able to conduct electricity,” the release said. The team intends to develop new measurement approaches in order to explore and advance the properties of the materials.

To perform what Ratliff calls “team science,” she has to keep all of her partners involved, she said.

"That includes the management and budget considerations, but also the nitty-gritty aspects of team science: keeping everyone engaged and happy and having to make hard decisions, but also learning how to empower everyone, especially the younger group," she said. "I've wanted to lead an EFRC  since back in 2009. I love team science, and I'm really excited about my team. I handpicked every single one of them."

Ratcliff’s adviser, Neal Armstrong, a Regents Professor of chemistry, biochemistry and optical sciences, led his own EFRC in 2009, for which he chose Ratcliff as his research scientist.

"If you look at the composition of that group, it is pretty jaw-dropping," Armstrong said. "She got everyone excited, and that was necessary since this is really high-impact and high-risk, which is exactly what these programs are about. This is a big win for her, for the University of Arizona and its students, for the U.S. and for the DOE."

University of Arizona President Robert Robbins said the work done by Ratcliff and her team could have a far-reaching impact.

"By creating alternatives to in-demand semiconductor technologies, Dr. Ratcliff and her hand-picked team of experts is playing a critical role in moving our nation toward a more sustainable future," he said. "This is outstanding news for our university, and we are proud to have Dr. Ratcliff leading the effort and providing an incredible example and point of inspiration for young women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)."