Developed by scientists from the University of Cambridge, a new device can convert carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight into clean fuels. This wireless

A standalone device invented to convert sunlight, CO2, and water into fuel

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2020-08-26 05:06:22

Developed by scientists from the University of Cambridge, a new device can convert carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight into clean fuels. This wireless device-based on an advanced ‘photosheet’ technology- is a significant step toward achieving artificial photosynthesis.

Despite being a promising way to reduce carbon emissions, this new device could be scaled up and used on energy ‘farms’ similar to solar farms.

Achieving artificial photosynthesis with a high degree of selectivity is quite difficult. Thus, converting as much of the sunlight as possible into the fuel you want is better rather than be left with a lot of waste.

Professor Erwin Reisner, the paper’s senior author said, “In addition, storage of gaseous fuels and separation of by-products can be complicated – we want to get to the point where we can cleanly produce a liquid fuel that can also be easily stored and transported.”

The device do not require additional components or electricity. It solely relies on photocatalysts embedded on a sheet to produce a so-called photocatalyst sheet. The sheets are made up of semiconductor powders, which can be prepared in large quantities easily and cost-effectively.