Scientists have Developed an Artificial Leaf that Produces Hydrogen
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Posted by Mircea on Thursday, January 14, 2010 |
It seems that nature continues to be a model for researchers who daily try to imitate natural systems for the development of new technologies. One of the most controversial natural processes is photosynthesis because the ability to harness and utilize sun’s energy can help develop amazing technologies. An example is the artificial leaf from the image and as the researchers say, it is able to separate water in oxygen and hydrogen, and generate hydrogen.
Untin now we have discussed about other devices that try to generate hydrogen in a similar way, but this time researchers have copied the entire structure of the leaf hoping for a higher efficiency than other methods based on molecules modification. Researchers said that with this technology they could create even hydrogen production factories. They also made some experiments in which leaves were treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and magnesium atoms were replaced. Then, all that remained was burned at a temperature of 500 °C and ultimately the researchers were able to retain a crystallised titanium dioxide framework and many of the leaves’ natural structures. Then researchers have found that leaves posses lens like cells on the surface, capable of capturing light from any angle.
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Categories: Hydrogen
Tags: artificial leaf harness solar energy, artificial leaf photosynthesis, artificial leaf Produces Hydrogen, crystallised titanium dioxide, dilute hydrochloric acid, harness sun energy, hydrogen production factories, imitate natural systems, leaf natural structure, lens cells, nature, photosynthesis, separate water, utilize sun energy