Artificial Photosynthesis, possible gamechanger?

[teqniq]

Artificial Photosynthesis Advance Hailed As Major Breakthrough

In what's being called a win-win for the environment and the production of renewable energy, researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley, have achieved a major breakthrough in artificial photosynthesis.

The scientists have created a system that can capture carbon dioxide emissions before they're released into the atmosphere and convert them into fuels, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and other valuable products....

 

[weltweit]

Very clever I am sure, but I am not totally clear how will this help?
I mean we already have photosynthesising things, they are called plants!

 

[dessiato]

If this is true it is a game changer

 

[Pickman's model]

but what do you think? weltweit

 

[weltweit]

but what do you think? weltweit

Plant more forests!

 

[teqniq]

Very clever I am sure, but I am not totally clear how will this help?
I mean we already have photosynthesising things, they are called plants!

From the article:

Biology-nanotechnology mash-up. The heart of the new system is an array of minute silicon and titanium oxide wires studded with Sporomusa ovata bacteria. The "nanowires" capture light energy and deliver it the bacteria, which convert carbon dioxide in the air into acetate (a key building block for the more complex organic molecules in fuels, biodegradable plastics, and pharmaceuticals).

So, we are currently reliant on oil for the manufacture of the items in that quote. If this can be scaled up we will have an alternative source whilst also reducing carbon dioxide.

 

[CNT36]

From the article:

So, we are currently reliant on oil for the manufacture of the items in that quote. If this can be scaled up we will have an alternative source whilst also reducing carbon dioxide.

Then in 50 years a big panic when the trees starting dying, gets a bit cold or some other unpredictable consequence.

 

[fractionMan]

Wow. I hope it actually works.

 

[DotCommunist]

perfect technology for all those space habitsts we should be building isnstead of wasting p's on rubbish like warplanes and politicians houses

 

[coley]

Very clever I am sure, but I am not totally clear how will this help?
I mean we already have photosynthesising things, they are called plants!

Aye, but unfortunately we also have this thing called deforestation

 

[weltweit]

Aye, but unfortunately we also have this thing called deforestation

Yes, but it makes more sense to me to keep the trees than it does to replace them with manmade tech. Manmade tech could be additional, but we need to keep the forests.

 

[coley]

From the article:

So, we are currently reliant on oil for the manufacture of the items in that quote. If this can be scaled up we will have an alternative source whilst also reducing carbon dioxide.

Aye, but a much more environmentally use of oil than burning it, surely?

 

[coley]

Yes, but it makes more sense to me to keep the trees than it does to replace them with manmade tech. Manmade tech could be additional, but we need to keep the forests.

I'm not arguing, I would love to see the end of deforestation, overfishing, coal/oil burning generation etc, but humanity will only accept these moves in that direction so long as it doesn't affect its comfort zone, sad but true.

 

[teqniq]

i

Aye, but a much more environmentally use of oil than burning it, surely?

I think that's the point, moreover if it can be made to work on a large scale we can leave the oil in the ground.

 

[coley]

i

I think that's the point, moreover if it can be made to work on a large scale we can leave the oil in the ground.

Aye, to some extent, but it can be extracted for the use of non destructive applications, fertilisers etc, but even those can be curtailed/ ended given the application of current science,
IMO. Fossil fuels are history,they just haven't realised it yet.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

So another press story about a possible breakthrough that will change everything based upon some obscure research that has not been verified which will bring improvements of a possible 3% on current knowledge in circumstances that have not been evaluated. Hey Ho!

 

[camouflage]

perfect technology for all those space habitsts we should be building isnstead of wasting p's on rubbish like warplanes and politicians houses

Ducks houses... the politicians are merely their toolz. Behind the scenes it's the ducks pullin the strings.

 

[dilute micro]

We can terraform Mars. It's all win. The families of the people that want to move there will feel a little better.