The first machine simulates plant life

For the first time, scientists have successfully built a machine capable of mimicking plant photosynthesis, turning solar energy into fuel.

Illustration. (Internet source)

This machine uses sunlight and metal oxide called ceria (the CeO ₂ chemical formula) to break down carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) or water into fuel that can be stored and transported.

Conventional photovoltaic panels use semiconductor tools to convert sunlight into electric current for immediate use and it does not work at night.

The prototype of the device, which is a study by US and Swiss researchers, uses a quartz window and a well-contained cavity to focus light on a cylindrical frame made of ceria.

Ceria is able to emit oxygen when heated and suck oxygen when it cools.

When pumping carbon dioxide and / or water into pipes, ceria will quickly deprive their oxygen atoms, creating hydrogen and / or carbon monoxide (CO).

Newly produced hydrogen can be used as fuel for hydrogen fuel vehicles, while hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixtures can be used to create synthetic gas.

The exploitation of a special feature of ceria in the field of solar reactors has made this breakthrough, according to Science quoted Professor Sossina Haile of the California Institute of Technology (USA).

The device could also be used to produce methane gas, according to Ms. Haile.

Although the first machine was not as effective as expected, it only converted 0.7 to 0.8% of the energy absorbed from the sun due to the loss of most of the energy, experts believe it will be fast. overcome this disadvantage.

According to them, just a little modification of the design to enhance heat resistance will help to increase production efficiency up to 19%, enough to introduce to the market.

Daniel Davies, head of the technology division of the company manufacturing Solar Century photovoltaic panels (UK), said the study showed very positive results.

Solar power technology is developing at a very fast pace, but still has not overcome the long-standing challenges such as efficiency, economy and photovoltaic storage capacity.

New generation ' electric tower ' plants have sprung up in Spain and the United States, whereby experts use layers of glass to focus light on receiving towers to run steam turbines, according to the BBC .

Meanwhile, Spain is implementing a new project, using molten sand to keep heat coming from sunlight up to 15 hours, allowing the plant to operate continuously at night.