'Artificial leaves' produce electricity

A research team at the University of North Carolina developed a colloidal solar device - called ' artificial leaves ' - capable of acting as a solar cell that generates electricity. These devices are considered to be more cost effective and more environmentally friendly.

'Artificial leaves' produce electricity. (Image for illustrative purposes)

These bendable devices are made up of water glue containing light-sensitive molecules combined with carbon-coated electrodes, such as carbon nanotubes or graphite. Light-sensitive molecules become ' agitated ' when sunlight hits and produces electricity; This mechanism is similar to the mechanism of stimulating sugar synthesis for plant growth.

The team hopes to find ways to make materials that nature uses to create solar energy. Compared to the method of synthesizing light-sensitive molecules, products of natural origin - like chlorophyll - are easily integrated into the above devices thanks to the water-gel matrix structure. of them.

Currently, the group is working to refine photovoltaic devices with water, making them more like real leaves. This next step is to simulate the mechanism of plant regeneration. However, the difficulty here is to change the water glue and sensitive molecules to improve the efficiency of solar cells. If they can do this, the roofs will be covered by ' artificial-leaf ' solar cells that mimic the power generation mechanism of plants, the team said.

Currently, the application of this new technology has not been announced due to low battery performance. However, the team believes that future biological concepts of ' soft ' electrical devices will be a source of alternative types of technology - form - hard today.