Imitating Photosynthesis
Most recent answer: 04/07/2013
Q:
Would it be possible to generate a clean source of renewable energy by imitating the process of photosynthesis in plants, with oxygen as the waste product?
- Arthur (age 15)
Wilmette, IL, USA
- Arthur (age 15)
Wilmette, IL, USA
A:
Something like that could be done. Right now, it's much cheaper to use plants themselves to chemically harvest solar energy. In part that's because plants manufacture new copies of themselves. unlike other photochemical machines. Maybe someday artificial systems will be practical for that.
Meanwhile, man-made photocells and thermal systems are practical ways to harvest the energy electrically.
Mike W.
Meanwhile, man-made photocells and thermal systems are practical ways to harvest the energy electrically.
Mike W.
(published on 04/07/2013)