Scientists of Penn State have developed a solar cell concept which could split water and provide a cleaner source of hydrogen. Although in theory it sounds perfect, for now the efficiency is very low but according to Thomas E. Mallouk, the DuPont Professor of Materials Chemistry and Physics, catalytic systems with 10 to 15 percent solar conversion could be achieved.
Mallouk and W. Justin Youngblood, another chemistry genius, are the developers of a catalyst system which mimics the electron transfer and water oxidation that happens during photosynthesis. This is a very difficult process because oxygen and hydrogen recombine themselves quickly, so the researchers intend to make this process to be continuous.
This process is made every day by plant, trees and algae, so if scientists can reproduce it will be a step forward to make our planet greener.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
[...] Here’s the link which gave birth to this thought. This technology uses solar power to split the water atom, but the results are not very exciting because not a lot of hydrogen can be produced this way. [...]
March 1st, 2008 at 10:54 pm
[...] Here’s the link which gave birth to this thought. This technology uses solar power to split the water atom, but the results are not very exciting because not a lot of hydrogen can be produced this way. [...]