Clean Energy Innovation from the Confluence of Technologies

The Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) is an experiment, not only in developing an artificial solar-fuel technology, but also in managing a major, project-oriented research endeavor involving scientists and engineers from multiple disciplines and across institutions with distinct cultures.  Drawing on successful government and corporate research projects of the past, JCAP is structured as a unique matrix organization with line-level management across both academic and government institutions.  To encourage collaboration, both within and between individual project groups, JCAP has established key management policies that encourage frequent interactions amongst researchers and adopted numerous technologies such as wiki-based collaboration software, videoconferencing and desktop sharing networks, and electronic laboratory notebooks that promote cooperation across the center.  Despite confronting challenges to the structure of the program, JCAP has already made significant progress towards its research mission due largely to its unique organizational approach.