Eco Factor: Researchers plan to develop artificial leaf using nature’s building blocks to harness solar energy in the most efficient of ways.
We all know that nature is the best architect and designer of all and researchers have always tried to replicate the most simplest of natural phenomenon for endless renewable energy. Researchers at the Leiden University have tried to imitate the process of photosynthesis to harvest sunlight even in the worst places.
The researchers state that the best light-capturers in nature are chlorosomes of bacteria that can harvest light particles even when they’re at the ocean bed. These scientists are trying to build semi-synthetic model of this technique and have developed a model that resembled a bacterial light antenna. Using the most innovative technologies of NMR and x-ray diffraction, they were able to determine the molecular structure of the antenna.
The device can now be used to harness sunlight and now all the researchers have to do is to convert that sunlight into usable energy, once developed the system will be able to harness energy even in shadowed areas. Researchers are also envisioning nano-scale forests that can produce clean energy from light.
Via: Gizmag
