The researchers said that the new system will greatly promote the development of solar technology. Photo credit: Cambridge University official website
According to a report by the University of Cambridge's official website on the 3rd, the school's researchers used semi-artificial photosynthesis to explore new ways to produce and store solar energy: using sunlight, enzymes and artificial technology to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. Water decomposition technology can be used to innovate renewable energy production systems.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. When water absorbed by plants breaks down, oxygen is produced as a by-product. Photosynthesis is one of the most important reactions on Earth because it is almost all oxygen in the world. The source, and the hydrogen produced is both environmentally friendly and unlimited.
The first author of the study papers, St. John's College doctoral Cartagena Sauk know Donna said: 'compared to natural photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight new method more natural photosynthesis efficiency is not high, because it is just to survive and evolve. only manufactured to meet the minimum energy required for its conversion and storage of potential play only 1% -2%. '
Artificial photosynthesis has been around for decades, but have not been successfully used in the manufacture of renewable energy, because it requires the use of a catalyst, a catalyst is generally expensive and toxic, and therefore could not be used for industrial production. The new research is emerging semi-artificial photosynthesis Part of the field, which aims to produce the desired response through enzymes, overcoming the limitations of total artificial photosynthesis.
In the new study, the Sok team not only increased the energy generated and stored by artificial photosynthesis, but also reactivated a biochemical reaction that had been crouching in algae for thousands of years.
Sok explained: 'Hydrogenases present in algae can reduce protons to hydrogen. Since it is not necessary for survival, this process has been discontinued during evolution, but we have successfully activated this process.'
One of the authors, Osna Lesna, director of the Lesna Laboratory, described the study as a 'milestone'. He said: 'Incorporate biological and organic components into inorganic materials, assemble semi-manual devices, and develop new ones for the future. The solar energy conversion system has opened up new avenues that have overcome many of the problems associated with it.'
