Photosynthesis, the process which energizes plants by breakdown of water using sunlight got artificial. Nocera and his colleagues conducted an experiment in which solar panels were used to power an electrolyzer with cobalt and phosphate catalysts to break down water into its elemental constituents, hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen thus produced was fed into a fuel cell to produce electricity.

While the sun generates electricity during the day, nights and cloudy days would be lighted up by these hydrogen fuel cells. When Nocera declared this idea to the world, it triggered criticism. Nocera’s mentor, Thomas Meyer feels that it is too quick to call it an answer for artificial photosynthesis, because, though the catalysts are technologically important, they may not be put to practical use until they have been improved further. Another researcher from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO says that when compared to the catalysts available in the market which run at about 1,000 milliamps per square centimeter, Nocera’s electrolyzer has jus 1-10 milliamp per square centimeter of energy density which is about 800-2000 times less.

Apart from these, critics also highlight the loss of energy that would occur during the conversion process and the cost factor which is very important for putting any innovation into public use. Now, we have to wait and watch if the new technique would rise or just lay in peace.

Source: TechnologyReview