Polycarpos Falaras

Polycarpos Falaras studied Physics at the University of Thessaloniki (1978-1982). He received his DEA in Electrochemistry (1982-1983) and Ph.D. in Chemistry (1983-1986) from the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-France). In 1989 he joined the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the National Center for Scientific Research ‘Demokritos’ in Athens, where he is still a member. In 2003 he was promoted to the post of research director (grade A). His main research activities are in the area of Photochemistry-Electrochemistry and are centered on light induced processes and their applications in solar energy conversion to electricity, environmental cleaning and health protection. Special interest exists on functional nanostructured materials, the synthesis of new sensitizers- transition metal complexes bearing functional groups and presenting broad and intense MLCT absorption bands in the visible as well as the development of redox polymer electrolytes as well as the optimization of dye-sensitized solar cells. In parallel, photocatalytic processes based are investigated focusing on the development of self-cleaning and self- sterilizing surfaces.