Sofi's Collaborative vision
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The time is ripe for the creation of a global solar fuels consortium: SOFI’s support stems from an international, wide-ranging groundswell that began with the solar fuels community, but has since exponentially grown. Beginning in February 2012, global universities, government labs, academic institutions, private corporations and non-profit organizations have come together to realize the vision that SOFI presents.
Early R&D consortia such as the Human Genome Project emerged from the recognition that shared challenges were best addressed with shared resources. The increased availability of new collaborative tools has enabled enormous improvements in roadmapping technology and data-sharing platforms, thereby facilitating the establishment of new consortia representing a vast array of technologies. Although funding, especially in the case of early-stage R&D consortia, has generally been sourced through government agencies, financial support also comes through a combination of membership fees, industry sponsorship and philanthropy. SOFI’s business model has been crafted in response to the strengths and weaknesses R&D consortia commonly face. The principal challenges facing a solar consortium are:
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Collaboration: People
SOFI’s work hinges on the conviction, supported both by a growing body of research and of scientific results, that the sharing of knowledge can lead to better outcomes. SOFI will reach beyond the research lab to globally engage experts from a wide array of disciplines around the globe in order to achieve our common purpose.
Leaders, innovators and organizers within SOFI will be identified through social network analysis. Face-to-face meetings, both formal and informal, will comprise an essential part of consortium operations that will strengthen collaborative ties and enable the effective advancement of solar fuel research and development. |
Collaboration: Tools
SOFI will establish new data exchange standards that will facilitate effective communication and build trust. SOFI will build its proprietary Knowledge Map using Elsevier SciVal, PBworks, ELN networks, and other virtual platforms. SOFI’s members will employ dynamic project management in semiannual roadmapping meetings. The SOFI website will provide a robust intranet that will enable team members to upload, innovate and collaborate remotely.
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