Photosynthesis, the chemical reaction that enables almost all life on Earth, is extremely inefficient at capturing energy—only around 1% of light energy that a plant absorbs is converted into chemical energy within the plant.
Coupling a two-step electrochemical system that converts CO2 to acetate with photovoltaics increases solar-to-food energy conversion efficiency, providing an alternative route to produce food from carbon dioxide and electricity, independent of biological photosynthesis.
Artificial methods of growing lettuce produce twice the amount of the crop as traditional field-based methods, according to a new study from the University of Surrey. The meta-analysis also found that it was quicker to grow lettuce using artificial methods, with production rates 50% faster in summer... Read more
Chemists at the University of Illinois have successfully produced fuels using water, carbon dioxide and visible light through artificial photosynthesis.
If CO2 emissions do not fall fast enough, then CO2 will have to be removed from the atmosphere to limit global warming. Not only could planting new forests and biomass contribute to this, but new technologies for artificial photosynthesis as well. Physicists have estimated how much surface area such... Read more
The technology can also be used to produce clean energy.
https://news.uchicago.edu/story/chemists-create-artificial-photosynthesis-system-10-times-more-efficient-existing-systems
Imagine growing crops even in the darkness! This can be a game changer in global food security.
It’s been done! Artificial photosynthesis systems are already being used to grow crops.
In the near future, artificial photosynthesis may be the secret to sustaining life in space colonies.
This technology can also help to improve global food security!
These researchers have also discovered a way to use artificial photosynthesis to create biodegradable plastics.
https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/artificial-photosynthesis-uses-co2-to-create-biodegradable-plastics
Scientists are already using artificial photosynthesis to produce sustainable fuels.
https://chemistry.illinois.edu/news/2019-05-23/prashant-jain-sungju-yu-have-successfully-used-artificial-photosynthesis-transform
Artificial photosynthesis can extract huge amounts of carbon from the air, limiting (or even reversing) global warming.