Introduction to Artificial Photosynthesis - The energy of the future

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Now a days, scientists of all countries are researching on the problem of alternative energy sources, which is now can be extracted from fossil resources, it is understandable the matter is not infinite nor it can be always. This fact forces the greatest minds of humankind to remain in anxiety and think about how to solve the problem of energy generation. Uncontrolled extraction of minerals not only pollutes the environment but also requires significant financial costs, which as a result makes electricity very expensive. But the main difficulty lies in the fact that the deposits of resources are steadily shrinking and, in the end, they run out. That is why many of leading scientists of the planet are searching for alternative sources of energy.

From the results of recent studies, it is clear that the solution to the problem does not stand far away and today a method has already been found for obtaining energy from the air. Specialists have come closer to the concept of the possibility of using artificial photosynthesis, which involves the conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol under the influence of solar radiations.

Leading researchers from the famous Lawrence Laboratory in Berklia, and the University of California, have developed the latest technology capable of converting carbon dioxide to acetates, which can well be utilized as fuel.

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It is interesting to learn how artificial photosynthesis will overcome the energy crisis, the results of the conducted studies, which indicate that photosynthesis is the basis of the new method of extracting energy. With application of this concept, scientists will be able to receive not only fuel, but polymers, and other chemical elements.

One of the founders of the proposed technology, discovered interesting features of the process, namely, the fact that in natural photosynthesis, leaves of plants receive energy from the sun and convert it into carbon dioxide, which in combination with water provides the necessary molecules, of which biomass is composed. It consists of a nanowire system, in which with the help of daylight energy, electrons are transferred to bacteria, resulting in carbon dioxide changes and also interacts with water, after which different chemical elements are formed at the output level.

The system itself is a field of nanostructures elongated shape, which consist of titanium dioxide and silicon. According to the principle of work, it is very similar to chlorophyll, when different frequency sun rays are absorbed, a pair of negatively and positively charged particles appears. The resulting particles are directed to Sporomusa ovata bacteria, with the release of carbon dioxide. Positively charged particles break down H₂O molecules, and release O₂. Further into the matter enter the E. coli bacteria, they then create the necessary element from the acetates.

As a result of the conducted tests, scientists have already managed to release isoprene hydrocarbon, n-butanol and polymer PHB. When researchers will manage to finish the conceived project to the end, it will become possible to extract plastics, and therefore fuel.

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