Latest breakthrough in green energy unveiled – fake leaves

By The Newsroom
Published 25th Mar 2010, 21:44 BST
Updated 25th Mar 2010, 22:03 BST
FAKE leaves that mimic nature could in future provide a cheap way of generating hydrogen from sunlight and water, it was claimed yesterday.

Scientists produced a design concept they hope will make it possible to manufacture fuel by photosynthesis.

If successful, it could help pave the way to a green and cost-efficient "hydrogen economy".

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Photosynthesis enables plants to use energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds.

The chemistry involved is complex and has never been reproduced artificially. A team of Chinese scientists yesterday revealed the blueprint of an "Artificial Inorganic Leaf" (AIL) based on nature's own design.

A working version could be used to capture solar energy and use it efficiently to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, its component elements.

"Our results may represent an important first step towards the design of novel artificial solar energy transduction systems based on natural paradigms," said lead researcher Dr Tongziang Fan, from Shanghai Jiaotong University in Shanghai.

Hydrogen is the ultimate clean fuel, producing nothing but water vapour when burned.