MIT developed a cheap artificial leaf

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a newly developed artificial leaf technology that reportedly allows for direct solar energy conversion through water splitting, potentially impacting energy production and ammonia manufacturing in developing regions. Participants explore its implications for solar energy, fuel cells, and the socio-economic aspects of energy access.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the potential of the artificial leaf for direct solar energy conversion via water splitting, producing hydrogen and oxygen bubbles.
  • Others propose that this technology represents a new generation of fuel cells, emphasizing the advantages of hydrogen production over traditional solar panels.
  • One participant discusses the implications for ammonia production, suggesting that this method could simplify the process and enable more distributed manufacturing, particularly in regions with abundant sunlight.
  • There is a clarification sought regarding the term "nonlegacy" users, with some suggesting it refers to individuals or communities that have not participated in the fossil fuel economy.
  • Another participant elaborates on the concept of "nonlegacy" users, linking it to socio-economic status and energy access in developing countries.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the implications of the artificial leaf technology, with some supporting its potential for energy production and others debating the terminology and socio-economic classifications related to energy access. No consensus is reached on these points.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the feasibility of large-scale implementation and the socio-economic impacts of transitioning to non-fossil fuel energy sources, which remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in renewable energy technologies, socio-economic implications of energy access, and advancements in solar energy conversion may find this discussion relevant.

dlgoff
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I just read the Photonics Spectra article "Artificial leaf could charge up developing world". The research was published in the American Chemical Society journal which I don't have access to, but from the Abstract, this would be interesting to observe:

..immersing a triple-junction Si wafer coated with NiMoZn and Co-OEC in water and holding it up to sunlight can effect direct solar energy conversion via water splitting.

H2 and O2 bubbles :cool:
 
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This would be the new generation of fuel cells. Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity but this process produces hydrogen gas. Much better IMO since hydrogen gas can be used as a reagent to make other useful things like ammonia from the nitrogen in the air. Imagine using this to produce ammonia for fertilizer without the expensive step of converting natural gas to hydrogen first.

Compare the usual ammonia manufacturing process based on the catalytic reforming of methane to produce hydrogen followed by the Haber-Bosch process to make ammonia to this simple photo-hydrogen process.

Pretty exciting but large arrays will need to be employed for truly industrial scale manufacture. This does suggest that since the hard part (hydrogen production from steam reforming of methane) becomes easy, we could have a more distributed manufacturing process for ammonia. Perhaps a plant on every farm in every third world country where sunlight is plentiful and soil fertility is low.
 
Thanks for the clarification chemisttree.

What does "nonlegacy" users mean?
 
ChiralWaltz said:
Thanks for the clarification chemisttree.

What does "nonlegacy" users mean?

I believe that it means folks that haven't been a part of the fossil fuel economy. If you buy electricity from a local coal-fired or natural gas-fired plant, you are a legacy user. You operate from a framework built by energy providers based on fossil fuels. Some would call this the 'developed' world.

If you have never bought electricity because you can't afford it or there is no local provider you have no 'legacy' stretching back to fossil fuel-based energy... you are a new, 'nonlegacy' user of energy derived from a new, non-fossil fuel source. This could also be called the 'undeveloped' or 'non-developed' world. I think this is the new politically correct nomenclature for these countries.
 

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