Artificial photosynthesis is on the way
Scientists are now one step closer to creating artificial photosynthesis, reports the New Scientist. By using carbon nanotubes, a team of Chinese researchers have found that they can mimic a step in photosynthesis that chemists were previously unable to copy.
All science and chemistry wonders aside, why is this interesting? Well, photosynthesis by living organism converts light energy to chemical energy:
Photosynthetic organisms use the energy from light to break down water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen then reacts with carbon dioxide to help synthesise carbohydrates, the molecules organisms use to store energy.
By creating artificial photosynthesis, scientists believe that we will be able to efficently produce hydrogen that could be used as a clean fuel for vehicles. And even mop up some carbon dioxide from the air we breath.
So it looks like we’re one small step closer to clean fuel. Read the full report here - and here’s a New Scientist special report on Energy and Fuels.
Photo above of the carbon nanotube is from this wonderful wikipedia page.
Comments
Run a car on water Jul 22, 2008 at 2:42 am
Science never ceases to amaze me.