Scientists look to leaves to solve energy crisis
Scientists look to leaves to solve energy crisis
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Monday, 10, Apr 2006 12:01
Scientists are looking at leaves to help solve the growing energy crisis.
By mimicking photosynthesis, researchers hope to find a way to convert sunlight into energy in a cheaper way than with present solar panels.
Leaves absorb energy from the sun and use it to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which if scientists could replicate would mean large supplies of the gases for fuel.
Ahead of a Royal Society conference on future fuels that starts this week, Professor James Barber said: "One hour of sunlight falling on our planet is equal to all the energy we use globally in a year.
"If we can find a way to take advantage of this vast energy resource in the way plants have been doing for billions of years, then we could have an unlimited amount of 'clean' fuel at our disposal."
Claims that human technology could mimic the example of plants follows recent understanding of the biological catalyst that allows plants and trees to 'split' water to obtain hydrogen and release oxygen.
Although Professor Barber stressed that the technology was not "around the corner", he did believe that it could be within humanity's grasp in 25 years if there is intense research.
If successful, the process is known to be clean not only because plants already do it, but also as the two gases released are non-polluting on their own.
Studying leaves to produce energy is just one of the possible new fuel technologies being discussed at the Energy...For The Future meeting at the Royal Society on April 10th and April 11th.