The new method transforms sunlight into fuel

Scientists have devised a new way to convert sunlight into fuel by transforming photosynthesis in plants.

Researchers from Cambridge University have devised a technique that involves splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen gas in plants .

Hydrogen produced can become a green and infinite renewable energy source.(Illustration).

According to the researchers, hydrogen gas produced can become a green and infinite renewable energy source.

The team used natural sunlight to convert water into hydrogen gas and oxygen using a mixture of biological components and artificial technologies.

Katarzyna Sokó, the lead researcher, said: 'Natural photosynthesis is not effective because it only evolves to survive so it only produces the minimum amount of energy needed - about 1-2% of the weight it has. variable and reserve '.

While artificial photosynthesis has been around for a long time, the techniques previously depended on catalysts - often very expensive and toxic. Unlike these techniques, the new technique uses an enzyme called hydrogenase , which is non-toxic.

The team used natural sunlight to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen - (Photo from Katarzyna Sokó).

Ms. Sokó explained: 'Hydrogenase is an enzyme in algae, capable of converting protons into hydrogen gas. In the process of evolution, this process was disabled because it was not necessary for survival, but we successfully ignored the inactive state to achieve the expected reaction - splitting water into gas hydrogen and oxygen '.

Researchers are hoping that their technique can be used on a larger scale to turn sunlight into fuel.

Ms. Sokó added: 'It is great that we can selectively select the processes we want, and achieve the expected response that cannot be achieved in nature. This can be a great base for developing solar technologies. This method can be used to combine different reactions to see what can be done, learn from these reactions and then create more comprehensive, practical solar technologies. '.