Cambridge team makes step toward artificial photosynthesis

[weltweit]

Cambridge team makes step toward artificial photosynthesis - The Engineer

Researchers say they have made a ‘significant step’ toward artificial photosynthesis with a standalone device that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into a carbon-neutral fuel.

www.theengineer.co.uk

The wireless device, which is reported in the journal Nature Energy, could be scaled up and used on energy ‘farms’ similar to solar farms, producing clean fuel using sunlight and water.

Interesting stuff, clever stuff even, despite that we already have plenty of organisms that can photosynthesise..

And there is an earlier thread from 2015: Artificial Photosynthesis, possible gamechanger?

Hmm ..

 

[NoXion]

Interesting stuff, clever stuff even, despite that we already have plenty of organisms that can photosynthesise..

Synthetic photosynthesis has greater engineering potential for improvements in industrial processes. Yes, we can already make fuel by growing plants, but that's not very efficient and it takes up arable land that should be prioritised for growing food, even if we were to develop genetically engineered plants that are better at growing fuel. An artificial photosynthesis facility can be sited on marginal land. Or even on platforms in the sea.

There may be a third option in the form of algal biofuels. These take advantage of natural photosynthetic processes, but like synthetics they can be produced on marginal land. They could also be genetically engineered for better efficiency and other improvements.

 

[weltweit]

Yes, NoXion I was being a little cynical above and in the 2015 thread, as far as artificial photosynthesis goes if it takes carbon dioxide and converts it into oxygen and energy, assuming we can use the energy it is more useful to us than plants.