Chemistry Researchers organise a Science Summer Camp in Spain

A group of 5 researchers and students (Dr Anna Reynal, Dr Miquel Planells, Dr Florian Le Formal, Dr Florent Deledalle & Research Postgraduate Ernest Pastor) from Professor James Durrant and Professor Iain McCulloch's group organised a 2-week science summer course for secondary school students. The camp was held at Les Planes de Son (Lleida, Spain), from 24th June to 6th July. 

The course entitled “Artificial photosynthesis: Light and water as energy sources” was part of the prestigious program Youth and Science in Spain.

The students had the opportunity to perform experiments in a chemistry laboratory in order to study the processes required to transform water into fuel using sunlight. They prepared a solar cell containing natural dyes extracted from spinach and red cabbage and used electrical current produced by the cells to convert water into a fuel.

Feedback from students included:

“What I enjoyed most was the great working environment, the motivation of our professors and being able to do research with a group of excellent scientists from Imperial College”

and from staff:

 “This summer camp offered an opportunity to disseminate the research that we do in our labs to very talented students who will become the scientists of the future.”