A new device is capable of absorbing sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to create a new carbon-neutral fuel without a single source of electricity, its developers claim.
Experts from the University of Cambridge behind the device say it uses a form of ‘artificial photosynthesis’ – the process used by plants to convert sunlight into energy.
The device is based on advanced ‘photosheet’ technology and converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and stomach acid – a storable fuel.
This type of fuel can be used directly in specially developed generators or by converting it into hydrogen, according to the Cambridge team.
The wireless device could be scaled up and used on ‘farms’ of energy, similar to solar farms, and produce clean fuel with nothing but sunlight and water as input.
A new device is capable of absorbing sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to create a new carbon-neutral fuel without a single energy source, its developers claim
The harvesting of solar energy to convert carbon dioxide into fuel is a promising way to reduce carbon emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, experts say.
However, it is challenging to produce these clean fuels without removing unwanted by-products that are costly and complicated.
“It has been difficult to achieve artificial photosynthesis with high selectivity, so you can convert as much sunlight as possible into the fuel you want, instead of being left with a lot of waste,” said first author Dr. Qian Wang.
Senior author, Professor Erwin Reisner, said that storage of gaseous fuels and the separation of by-products can be a complicated process.
“We want to get to the point where we can produce a clean liquid fuel that can also be easily stored and transported,” added Professor Reisner.
In 2019, researchers from Reisner’s group developed a solar reactor based on an ‘artificial blade’ design, which also uses solar, carbon dioxide and water to produce a fuel known as syngas.
The new technology looks and behaves quite similar to the artificial leaf, but works in a different way and produces formic acid.
While the artificial leaf used solar cell components, the new device does not require these components and only requires photocatalysts embedded in a sheet to produce a so-called photocatalyst sheet.
The leaks consist of semiconductor powder, which can be prepared in large quantities easily and cost-effectively.
In addition, this new technology is more robust and produces clean fuel that is easier to store and shows potential for producing fuel products on a scale.
Dr. Qian Wang (pictured) and his colleagues have developed a standalone device that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into a carbon-neutral fuel, without the need for additional components or electricity
The test unit is about three square inches in size, but researchers say it should be relatively easy to scale it to several square feet.
In addition, the formic acid can be collected in solution, and can be chemically converted into various types of fuel.
“We were amazed at how well it worked in terms of selectivity – it produced almost no by-products,” Wang said. ‘Sometimes things don’t work out as well as you would expect, but this was a rare case where it actually worked better.’
The device is easy to make and relatively stable, according to the study’s authors.
The test unit is about three square inches in size, but researchers said it should be relatively easy to scale to several square feet.
Although this technology will be easier to scale than the artificial blade, its efficiency still needs to be improved before any commercial deployment can be considered.
The researchers are experimenting with a range of different catalysts to improve both stability and efficiency.
The current results were obtained in collaboration with the team of Professor Kazunari Domen of the University of Tokyo, a co-author of the study.
The researchers are now working to further optimize the system and improve efficiency and see if they can produce different solar rays.
“We hope this technology will pave the way for sustainable and practical solar fuel production,” Reisner said.
The findings are published in the journal Nature Energy.
FRYSKERS USE ‘ARTIFICIAL’ TREES THEN THE AIR IN CITIES
By keeping mice in a container, such as the one built by CityTrees, the conditions can be carefully controlled to ensure that the plant is always flowering and therefore performs at optimal air filtration
City trees – also called artificial trees – use living plants and various species of mice to collect toxins and remove pollutants from the surrounding environment to produce clean air.
Moss, despite a primitive way of life than most trees and flowers, performs photosynthesis.
This allows them to absorb carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas – from the atmosphere and produce oxygen.
They can also harbor friendly bacteria that further helps to catch pollutants.
By keeping mice in a container, such as those built by CityTrees, the conditions can be carefully controlled to ensure that the plant is always flowering and therefore performs at optimal air filtration.
Each independent CityTree includes a water tank, irrigation systems and sensors to monitor plant growth and ensure they are healthy. The technology is powered by a combination of on-board solar panels and internal batteries.
Each CityTree that has the benefits of pollution reduction from 275 normal trees.
Similar structures have previously been deployed in other cities – including Berlin and Hong Kong – along with temporary trials across London.
Plants also help directly generate air pollution. Studies have found that the least harmful air pollutant for human health is PM2.5 as fine particulate matter in the air.
These particles are dangerous because they can get deep into your lungs, or even pass into your bloodstream.
Individuals are found in higher concentrations in urban areas, especially along highways.
One study by Beijing Forestry University researchers in 2017 found ‘leaves act as a biofilter of air pollution and improve air quality due to’ rough texture and large contact area ‘of the leaves.
But the problem with relying on regular trees and plants to filter the air and remove carbon dioxide and pollution is that they themselves are highly dependent on the environment.
If they do not bloom due to disease, drought or vandalism, they will not clean the air effectively.
Moss, despite a primitive way of life than most trees and flowers, performs photosynthesis. This allows them to absorb carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas – from the atmosphere and produce oxygen. Plants also directly cause contamination
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