Israel studies electricity production from plants

Israeli scientists have found a way to generate hydrogen from microscopic algae, showing the potential of producing electricity from plants in the future.

In research conducted at Tel Aviv University's lab, the scientists implanted an enzyme inside the algae and observed that the combination creates hydrogen, a source of chemical energy that can turn convert directly into electrical energy through fuel cell cells.

Microalgae can be used to produce hydrogen. (Photo: AFP).

The discovery has opened hopes that one day humans will be able to produce electricity from plants , helping to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel resources that are gradually depleting and polluting the environment.

"We do not know if it is feasible or not but believe it has potential , " said lead researcher Iftach Yacoby. " We have figured out how to use plants to generate hydrogen energy . To connect a device to electricity, you just need to connect to an" energy point, "but in the case of plants, we don't know where that connection is ".

The team acknowledges that there are many challenges ahead and it may take up to 20 years for the world to benefit from this new discovery. However , "there are many things that scientists can consider based on the results of the research. The future will tell us what to expect, " Yacoby added.

The project, jointly implemented by Tel Aviv University in Israel and the University of Arizona in the United States, was published in the journal Energy Science and Environment.