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Panasonic's Artificial Photosynthesis Turns Water, Sunlight, and CO2 into Useful Chemicals

Popular Science -- Artificial photosynthesis--the idea that we might be able to create energy and other useful thing from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, as plants do--is something of a holy grail for energy and green chemistry researchers. And while some efforts have shown modest potential--MIT’s Nocera Lab, for instance, claims to have created an artificial leaf from stable materials--efficiency is still a problem. That hasn’t stopped consumer electronics giant Panasonic; the company yesterday revealed that it is investing in artificial photosynthesis technology that turns carbon dioxide and sunlight into industrial chemicals. Just add water.

Panasonic’s two-step approach involves a nitride semiconductor that converts sunlight into a flow of electrons that splits water into its constituent hydrogen

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Submitted Aug 05, 2012 By: NHLiveFree

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 8, 2012 4:54:09 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse thinking outside the box is something badly needed.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,070 Points:1,619,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2012 12:17:20 AM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Several large firms and many universities are working hard to be first on the breakthroung that will make this an affordable mass production item. It is coming! [Edited by: NHLiveFree at 8/7/2012 1:18:18 AM EST]
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,059 Points:1,445,400 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:14:51 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse What a great idea, artificial photosynthesis (i.e., solar powered chemistry)! This could be quite a great technological step. AlienBug: Remember: If they start making money, Gasbuddies will curse them. Nah. Only if the new technology threatens the preeminence of oil and gas will you then find the cursing of it. Otherwise, you will just get the usual pooh-poohing of the technology.
AlienBug All-Star Author Connecticut Posts:732 Points:218,035 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 3:27:18 PM Ignore AlienBug Report Abuse Remember: If they start making money, Gasbuddies will curse them.
Moumoom Veteran Author Toronto Posts:320 Points:398,000 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 12:10:54 PM Ignore Moumoom Report Abuse Interesting. Someone's trying to make a big difference!
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:9,560 Points:1,463,330 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 10:30:52 AM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse Interesting article.
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:7,564 Points:1,452,610 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 9:20:31 AM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse Research is important to learn what can be done and to advance knowledge. Sometimes, learning what cannot be done efficiently is as important as learning what can be done.
fatboy97 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,469 Points:1,704,650 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 9:14:39 AM Ignore fatboy97 Report Abuse ok
EMoe57 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:4,602 Points:1,013,115 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:56:58 AM Ignore EMoe57 Report Abuse interesting research
bart_reed Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,959 Points:782,705 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:54:33 AM Ignore bart_reed Report Abuse Now, if this technique could only boost the intelligence of a few people posting here.
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:6,395 Points:1,293,495 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:52:12 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse In medieval times, they called this alchemy.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,137 Points:1,629,410 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:47:48 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse Pretty soon they'll be turning lead into gold....
91Hilux Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,152 Points:678,770 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:47:06 AM Ignore 91Hilux Report Abuse Nice innovation. Keep it up.
MrLuigi Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,758 Points:963,760 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:46:38 AM Ignore MrLuigi Report Abuse sounds like it'll be long time before this is even anything to think about if its only two-tenths of one percent efficient......but keep working on it
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:9,657 Points:2,616,705 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:44:05 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse OK, lets see a working model if it works and is renewable.. And how mutch is it going to cost consumers...
OldMan322 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,140 Points:1,591,815 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:42:57 AM Ignore OldMan322 Report Abuse Basic science
I10Express Champion Author San Antonio Posts:8,654 Points:1,637,045 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:42:31 AM Ignore I10Express Report Abuse ok
rev342 Veteran Author Florida Posts:484 Points:252,405 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:41:30 AM Ignore rev342 Report Abuse ok
humancry Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,618 Points:1,002,455 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:38:06 AM Ignore humancry Report Abuse lets hope but in all things they will hit us with high prices.
dondee118 Champion Author Kansas City Posts:8,920 Points:1,707,775 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:37:49 AM Ignore dondee118 Report Abuse Agree with sparkie951. Great idea, just get private investors to do it. Of course, if taxes were lower, people would be more inclined to invest.
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:8,446 Points:1,554,425 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:35:28 AM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse sounds great...
sparkie951 Champion Author Roanoke Posts:4,160 Points:848,060 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:34:12 AM Ignore sparkie951 Report Abuse Interesting idea... Hope they are not using MY TAX DOLLAR to do it.
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:4,496 Points:951,435 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:33:28 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse Good to see money spent on making technological progress.
shea33 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:2,353 Points:540,015 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:31:40 AM Ignore shea33 Report Abuse got it
treehood Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,029 Points:393,835 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:29:55 AM Ignore treehood Report Abuse Sounds like it could be promising, just keep the government out of it.
oas Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,215 Points:2,138,390 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:20:03 AM Ignore oas Report Abuse If it is energy efficient then this could be a good idea.
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,843 Points:4,243,660 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:16:13 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse OK
PTBpricer Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,465 Points:202,520 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:14:57 AM Ignore PTBpricer Report Abuse Maybe if they could break down carbon monoxide.
rnlunder Champion Author Waco Posts:2,321 Points:496,125 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:11:25 AM Ignore rnlunder Report Abuse How is this going to save me gas money??? Is there a global shortage of Formic Acid? Why not start with perfecting the first step that splits water into hydrogen and Oxygen with enough efficiency to be useful before going off on a pipe dream of creating Formic Acid. It's like converting straw into gold and then converting that gold into charcoal?
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,465 Points:1,294,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:10:17 AM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse but probably causes cancer right?
OldMoses All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:744 Points:55,760 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:09:22 AM Ignore OldMoses Report Abuse It's their money. They can use it to tinker with anything they want.
Insuremn Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,937 Points:1,028,085 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:07:41 AM Ignore Insuremn Report Abuse Ok.
ted4636 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,470 Points:1,634,735 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:07:16 AM Ignore ted4636 Report Abuse htyiouityjk
rvn4me Champion Author Texas Posts:5,576 Points:1,490,090 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:06:00 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse Why dont we perfect something we already have available before we start looking for other sources?
oldred11 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,575 Points:727,350 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:03:35 AM Ignore oldred11 Report Abuse Is this the eventual answer to cheap hydrogen? I hope so. Makes me glad I've supported Panasonic by purchasing many GE, Quasar and Panasonic TV's over the years.
dopster Champion Author Toledo Posts:7,257 Points:2,289,325 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:03:18 AM Ignore dopster Report Abuse Sounds promising!
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:8,932 Points:2,075,235 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:03:05 AM Ignore Marson Report Abuse could have potential.
carpenter4u Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,436 Points:614,145 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:00:30 AM Ignore carpenter4u Report Abuse only the future will tell
photobuddy Champion Author Washington Posts:1,620 Points:370,255 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:00:03 AM Ignore photobuddy Report Abuse sounds like a pipe dream
wt0826 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,711 Points:833,225 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:59:48 AM Ignore wt0826 Report Abuse ok
ARCO Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,333 Points:2,374,445 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:59:04 AM Ignore ARCO Report Abuse SOUNDS LIKE IT
RAKARWOWSKI Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,985 Points:818,100 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:58:09 AM Ignore RAKARWOWSKI Report Abuse But is it green?
SirLancelot1 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,298 Points:159,350 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:57:09 AM Ignore SirLancelot1 Report Abuse Here goes a billion bucks
cableman31 Champion Author New York Posts:8,818 Points:2,013,875 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:56:22 AM Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse More ways to waste money and call it green.
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:11,982 Points:2,464,695 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:56:11 AM Ignore throttle Report Abuse Breakthrough of the day.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,508 Points:1,624,975 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:56:10 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Ok
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:6,996 Points:2,060,195 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:55:51 AM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse Now if this can be applied to the real world and be practical, then do it.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,099 Points:2,368,445 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:55:49 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse can it turn out gasoline ??????
RamboOn66 Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,296 Points:1,881,880 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:54:31 AM Ignore RamboOn66 Report Abuse In a lab.
JENNYHK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,626 Points:710,620 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:54:22 AM Ignore JENNYHK Report Abuse Thought they made radios?