ABSTRACT
Plants use organic compounds that need to be continuously renewed. §e D1 and D2 subunits of the RC of photosystem (PSII) of green plants (Figure 55.P2 in the color insert) exposed to strong UV-B irradiation su¨er severe (photo-) damage but, depending on the degree of damage, recover very fast. By de novo synthesis of the subunits within short period of time (2-4 h), the function of the oxygen evolution of PSII is reestablished [4]. §e e¨ective repair mechanisms in natural systems present de©nite advantage compared to any man-made biomimetic constructions. Presently, much less requirements of operation of arti©cial systems are set as goals. Inorganic compounds are looked for that catalyze the needed reactions and are both e¿cient and widely available. Several arti©cial photosynthetic elements are designed and assembled them into energy converting systems. Carotenoid pigments and polymer polyenes can be incorporated into tetrapyrrole-based arti©cial RCs. In certain systems, the pigment is near 100% e¿cient. In more complex systems, liposome-based arti©cial ion pumps have been assembled that are based on Mitchellian redox loops and vectorial redox potential developed by either natural [5] or arti©cial RCs [6,7]. §e direct conversion of light energy to chemical potential in similar biomimetic constructions will be surveyed in this work.
