Create new electricity from the leaves

Artificial leaves will absorb solar energy to create a high-performing, low-cost energy source that has been successfully built by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) scientists.

This is an important milestone on the road to creating sustainable energy sources in the future.

These artificial leaves will help people in poor countries to use electricity.
(Source: .imperial.ac.uk)

In fact, artificial leaves are not a new idea. It has been developed for more than 10 years by Dr. John Turner at the US National Renewable Energy Research Institute. Although his product still has photosynthesis, it is difficult to put into practice because the raw materials for making it are rare, expensive metals and they are not stable. .

These leaves are about the size of a card but are thinner, covered with a layer of silicon, electronics and catalysts. If a leaf is placed on a gas station in a sunny condition, it will generate enough electricity for a family to use for a day.

This shows that the promise of a cheap energy source for poor families in developing countries. Accordingly, scientists want to turn every household into a mini power plant.

This artificial leaf will split water into two components, one is hydrogen and one is oxygen. These two substances will be stored and used in a device that operates on the principle of fuel cells. It will continuously generate electricity when hydrogen and oxygen are introduced.

What is special is that they come from cheap materials, which operate in simple conditions and with high stability. They can be operated continuously for at least 45 hours with high intensity.