The Solar Fuels Institute (SOFI) is a global research consortium of universities, government labs, and industry united around the goal of developing and commercializing a liquid solar fuel within 10 years. By mimicking one of nature's most fundamental processes – photosynthesis – SOFI scientists and engineers aim to fuel the planet sustainably using the ultimate energy source- the sun. Plants satisfy their energy needs by capturing sunlight and turning it into nutrients. SOFI scientists aim to convert the sun's energy into clean fuels by following nature's photosynthetic blueprint.
SOFI will develop efficient, cost-effective photocatalytic systems that use the energy of sunlight to produce liquid fuels. Our science is inspired by natural photosynthesis, yet relies on the discovery of a spectrum of earth-abundant, robust materials. Solar fuels technology has enormous potential to furnish carbon-neutral energy to satisfy the expected growth of global energy requirements over the next several decades. It can provide near-term fungible fuels that will enable industry to take full economic advantage of existing infrastructure, while delivering a clear path toward new fuels for the future.