Scientists hail major breakthrough in developing holy grail of renewable energy: artificial photosynthesis
Full details
| Authors & editors | |
| Publisher | The Independent |
| Year of publication | 2025 August 27 |
| Languages | English (main text) |
| Medium | Digital Note: Copyright restrictions mean the attachment below only contains part of the publication. The full document is available for inspection at the Mills Archive Research and Education Centre. |
| Edition | 1 |
| Topics | Climate, environment and development > Renewable energy systems |
| Tags | |
| Scope & content | New discovery addresses one of biggest obstacles to artificial photosynthesis – a technology long seen as a potential source of carbon-neutral fuels Turning sunlight directly into fuel has come closer to reality after scientists developed a molecule that can hold enough energy to mimic the way plants capture light. The discovery addresses one of the biggest obstacles to artificial photosynthesis – a technology long seen as a potential source of carbon-neutral fuels. Unlike conventional renewables, which generate electricity, artificial photosynthesis would make fuels that can be stored and used in ships, planes and heavy industry – sectors that are difficult to electrify. The breakthrough study, published by a team at the University of Basel, shows how a specially designed molecule can store four charges of energy from light – two positive and two negative – in a stable state. Storing multiple charges is essential because most fuel-making reactions, such as splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, require more than one electron at a time. |
| Web URL | https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/solar-power-artificial-photosynthesis-fuel-sunlight-b2814882.html |