Scientists create world's first artificial leaf

Advertisement
By Press Trust of India | Updated: 5 June 2012 02:16 IST
Highlights
  • Scientists have created the world's first practical artificial leaf that can turn sunlight and water into energy, which they claim could pave the way for a cheaper source of power in developing countries like India.
Scientists create world's first artificial leaf
 
Scientists have created the world's first practical artificial leaf that can turn sunlight and water into energy, which they claim could pave the way for a cheaper source of power in developing countries like India.
 
A team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology says that the artificial leaf from silicon, electronics and various catalysts which spur chemical reactions within the device, can use sunlight to break water into hydrogen and oxygen which can then be used to create electricity in a separate fuel cell.
 
"A practical artificial leaf has been one of the Holy Grails of science for decades. We believe we have done it. And placed it in a gallon of water and left it under the sun. These artificial leaves could provide a home in the developing world with basic electricity for a day," Daniel Nocera, who led the team, said.
 
He added: "Our goal is to make each home its own power station. One can envision villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this technology."
 
For their research, the scientists identified a set of inexpensive, common catalysts including nickel and cobalt that gets the job done with far less expense. In the laboratory their playing-card-sized leaves have worked continuously for 45 straight hours without a drop in output.
 
Though in the laboratory, an artificial leaf prototype could operate continuously for at least 45 hours without a drop in activity, the scientists say that they will next try to boost both efficiency and lifespan of their photosynthetic material.
 
The findings were presented at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement
Popular Mobile Brands
  1. 5 Must-Have Samsung Products Every Student Needs in 2025
  1. Webb Telescope Uncovers Hidden Active Galactic Nuclei
  2. SpaceX Starship Flight 9 Reuses Booster, Gathers Key Data Despite Loss
  3. 7,100-Year-Old Skeleton Reveals Unknown Human Lineage in China
  4. SpaceX Aims to Break Launch Record With 170 Orbital Liftoffs Planned for 2025
  5. Scientists Capture Plasma Streams, Coronal Raindrops in Sharpest-Ever View of Sun’s Corona
  6. The Traitor OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch Uorfi Javed, Karan Kundra Starrer Reality Show Online?
  7. Nizarkudai Now Available for Streaming on Aha Tamil: What You Need to Know
  8. Big Ben OTT Release: When and Where to Watch Malayalam Movie Online?
  9. Akkada Ammayi ikkada Abbayi Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
  10. Vaanil Thedinen Now Streaming on Aha Tamil: Everything You Need to Know
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.