Scientists Create Artificial Leaf

March 29, 2011 by Bonnie divider image

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One of the most exciting forms of future energy is Solar energy. At the moment, the world is only currently harvesting an estimate 12.2 billion kilowatt-hours of solar energy that is available to us. Solar Power may be critical to the future of man, especially when it comes to the colonisation of planets within our solar system.

Currently, studies are being done in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Colorado School of Mines that could one day be applied to make the harvesting of solar energy far more efficient. One of these studies is focusing on the creation of “Solar trees.” Taking inspiration from real trees in nature is an ambitious but exciting prospect as real trees in themselves have already solved most of the problems that alternative energy scientists could not. Trees harvest an immense amount of solar energy through their multipurpose evolutionary tool, the humble leaf.

Basing their technology on the chemical properties of the leaf, researchers at MIT have created a silicon cell that is capable of producing an abundant amount of energy simply by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. This reaction is highly similar to the chemical reaction caused by chloroplasts in the process of photosynthesis in plant cells.

The gases that are then emitted by the silicon cell can be harvested and used to power many forms of fuel cells. Project leader Daniel Nocera says, “A practical artificial leaf has been one of the Holy Grails of science for decades. We believe we have done it. The artificial leaf shows particular promise as an inexpensive source of electricity for homes of the poor in developing countries. Our goal is to make each home its own power station. One can envision villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing a basic power system based on this technology.”

This new technology promises a new era for fuel use, and gives us a hope that unlimited renewable energy is a viable prospect.

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