The global industrial sector accounts for more than half of the total energy used every year.
Now scientists are inventing a new artificial photosynthetic system that could one day reduce industry’s dependence on fossil fuel-derived energy by powering part of the sector with solar energy and bacteria. In the ACS journal Nano Letters, they describe a novel system that converts light and carbon dioxide into building blocks for plastics, pharmaceuticals and fuels — all without electricity.
Peidong Yang, Michelle C. Y. Chang, Christopher J. Chang and colleagues note that plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make their own fuel in the form of carbohydrates. Globally, this natural process harvests 130 Terawatts of solar energy. If scientists could figure out how to harness just a fraction of that amount to make fuels and power industrial processes, they could dramatically cut our reliance on fossil fuels. So, Yang, Michelle Chang and Christopher Chang’s teams wanted to contribute to these efforts.
The groups developed a stand-alone, nanowire array that captures light and with the help of bacteria, converts carbon dioxide into acetate. The bacteria directly interact with light-absorbing materials, which the researchers say is the first example of “microbial photoelectrosynthesis.” Another kind of bacteria then transforms the acetate into chemical precursors that can be used to make a wide range of everyday products from antibiotics to paints.
The Latest on: Artificial photosynthesis
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Artificial photosynthesis” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Artificial photosynthesis
- JinkoSolar gets grant for improved solar cell structure for enhanced photoelectric conversionon May 6, 2024 at 3:19 am
Revolutionize solar cell efficiency with JinkoSolar's patented design featuring pyramid structures and precise doping concentrations. Learn more about this innovative technology now!
- JinkoSolar gets grant for photovoltaic cell with metal and non-metal pattern regionson May 6, 2024 at 2:30 am
Discover the groundbreaking patent by JinkoSolar for a novel photovoltaic cell design with pyramid structures, tunneling layers, and doped conductive layers to enhance solar energy conversion ...
- Toward artificial leaves that float on water, bubbling fuelon May 2, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Researchers have now made such an artificial leaf device using an organic photovoltaic (OPV) material. Depending on the catalyst used, the device either splits water to make hydrogen fuel or splits ...
- Hard Tech for Early-Stage Founders: HAX Invests in Startups Solving the Hardest Problems in Climate, Industrial Independence, and Healthcareon May 2, 2024 at 10:06 am
TechCrunch was proud to host HAX at Early Stage in Boston on April 25, 2024. Here’s an overview of their breakout session. There’s no tougher, early stage startup category than hard tech, and no one ...
- The 8 Best Grow Lights for Countertop Herbs, Small Gardens, and Helping Indoor Plants Thriveon April 30, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Narrow spectrum lights are noted for serious gardeners and plant nerds who need to support different stages of development. Blue-light spectrum (450-490 nm) grow lights are used for early-stage growth ...
- The Advantages of Going Solaron April 29, 2024 at 9:33 am
This article explores the numerous advantages of adopting solar energy, both from an environmental standpoint and its capacity to influence economic and personal development.
- Artificial Photosynthesis: A Game Changer for Clean Energyon March 20, 2024 at 7:13 pm
that brings us a step closer to the day carbon dioxide could be used as a resource.
- Is Artificial Photosynthesis the Next Source of Renewable Energy?on February 19, 2024 at 9:09 pm
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy, inspiring sustainable energy solutions. Artificial photosynthesis aims to imitate the process of photosynthesis to ...
- Artificial photosynthesis machines invented to create oxygen in space for astronautson June 13, 2023 at 11:15 am
In a game-changing technological breakthrough, scientists are creating artificial photosynthesis devices that astronauts will use on future space missions. On our lush and abundant planet Earth ...
- Artificial Photosynthesis—Making Fuels Directly from Sunlighton May 13, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Nathan Lewis will present about the discovery and development of materials and a system architecture for the direct production of fuels from sunlight. The membrane-embedded microwire array approach is ...
via Bing News