People could eventually switch energy sources in favour of artificial leaf - 13/08/2009
Homeowners looking to switch gas and electricity suppliers for a cleaner alternative might eventually have the chance to use artificial leaf technology.
A team at Imperial College London have begun a groundbreaking research project where they will try to replicate the photosynthetic process in leaves that produces sugar by combining sunlight with carbon dioxide and water, reports the Guardian.
Reproducing the efficient system in the lab could be used to produce methanol and hydrogen, which in turn could generate electricity.
John Loughhead, executive director of the UK Energy Research Centre, told the paper: "Ultimately, the only sustainable form of energy we've got is the sun. From a strategic viewpoint, you have to think this looks really interesting because we know we're starting from a base of feasibility."
Microgeneration methods such as solar panels and wind turbines are already used to tackle high prices from energy suppliers, but installation costs often discourage people from making the initial investment.
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