How Artificial Leaves Could Generate Clean Hydrogen

An anonymous reader writes "At Imperial College London, researchers have embarked on a £1m project to study, and eventually mimic, photosynthesis. Part of the 'artificial leaf' project involves working out exactly how leaves use sunlight to make useful molecules. The team then plans to build artificial systems that can do the same to generate clean fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. These would then be used in fuel cells to make electricity or to directly power super-clean vehicles."

FARK

[gurps_npc]

This is not an announcement of an advance, it is an announcement of intention to BEGIN research.

Not news. Fark.

I hereby announce that I am studying how bees fly. I plan on creating a bee suit to let 300 pound people fly.

Yeah right

[nmrtian]

Photosynthesis has traditionally been one of the "hard" problems to solve. These guys are going to figure it out for 1 million pounds and then use it to produce fuel? I'll put my money on cold fusion first.

Re:Finally!

[flaming error]

> I thought we were talking about a feature missing in an FOSS package.
But aren't we?

AFAIK there's no reason any joe off the street can't go do photosynthesis research and post his findings. Funding and specialized advanced degrees are real nice to have, but they're technically not part of the scientific method.

Re:FARK

[confused one]

Best way to store hydrogen is using a carbon atom.

Re:Finally!

[VisceralLogic]

Great point! Historically, a lot of ground-breaking research has been done by folks without degrees or funding... just an insatiable curiosity.

Re:FARK

[bythescruff]

...working out exactly how leaves use sunlight to make useful molecules.

Finally, we know what stage 2 is!

Stage 1: (whatever)

Stage 2: Solve the mystery of photosynthesis, which has been baffling scientists for decades.

Stage 3: Profit!