July 14, 2008

UK pumps $38m into artificial photosynthesis

Seven research teams in the UK involved in three projects have landed £19,277,515 (about $38 million) to mimic what plants do every day -- convert sunlight to fuel. The UK government's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is providing the funding

In natural photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and the carbohydrates that fuel plant growth. The artificial photosynthesis projects aim to produce liquid fuels like methanol that can be used in fuel cells or chemicals that otherwise require large amounts of energy to produce. One project also aims to generate electricity at the same time.

The projects are Carbon Dioxide and Alkanes As Electron-sink and Source in a Solar Nanocell: towards Tandem Photosynthesis of Carbon Monoxide and Methanol, Artificial Photosynthesis: Solar Fuels, and Advanced Bio-Photovoltaic Devices for Solar Energy Conversion. The project start dates are June 1, 2008, September 1, 2008 and October 1, 2008 respectively.

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