There are artificial leaves that can be photosynthesized like true leaves

A recently graduated American student has created an artificial tree that is capable of turning water and lighting into oxygen, a significant advance in science for space travel.

Space explorers are always hindered by hypoxia. On Earth, forests and plants support us so much by photosynthesis produces fresh oxygen. But we can not put these bio-oxygen machines into space because other planets do not have the same conditions of land, climate, water and sunlight.

Julian Melchiorri, a graduate student at the Royal College of Art, has created the first artificial leaf that has biological features like normal foliage, which are capable of converting CO ₂ , water and light into oxygen. This artificial leaf contains chloroplast, part of the plant cell where photosynthesis occurs, suspended in leaf stalks made of silk proteins.

In addition to potential applications for space travel, Melchiorri also thinks that this technology can provide literally fresh air for indoor and outdoor space on Earth. The façade of the whole house and household items such as the lampshade can create fresh air by coating a thin layer of artificial leaf material.

But perhaps more importantly, this artificial leaf can help people settle in the cylinder. We will not have to try to plant other planets, but just put artificial leaves on the ceiling.