In the United States, engineers produced artificial leaves. These leaves have an outstanding performance in capturing carbon dioxide and producing green energy.
In recent years, many experts believe that reducing CO2 emissions is not enough to reverse current climate change.
One popular solution is to capture carbon dioxide in different ways. These include the installation of factories equipped with turbines (see image below) or the use of olivine, a green mineral.
Artificial Leaf will use Photosynthesis to Capture CO2
Engineers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (USA) published a study on January 5, 2022 in the journal Energy & Environmental Science, in which they presented the concept of an artificial leaf that can capture CO2 very efficiently. The process uses the process of photosynthesis. This gives plants the power to convert sunlight, CO2 and water into energy in the form of glucose.
According to the researchers responsible for the project, these artificial leaves will make it possible to achieve significant fuel savings while absorbing CO2.
An artificial Leaf can capture more than one kilogram of CO2 per day
Instead of glucose, artificial leaves capture solar energy to store it chemically, specifically in the form of hydrogen.
However, American researchers say that 3.3 millimoles per hour will be captured for every four square centimeters of artificial leaves. Additionally, the reactor will be small enough to fit in a backpack.
For example, a simple module the size of a humidifier installed in a home can capture more than one kilogram of CO2 per day. The process is not only inexpensive, but can also be adapted to larger scale structures, especially at the industrial level. We will closely follow the fate of this project in the future, just like you.
Image Credit: University of Illinois
