The process of turning sunlight directly into usable energy (photosynthesis) may become something we can mimic to harness the sun’s energy for clean, storable, efficient fuel. Currently the closest process to artificial photosynthesis is photovoltaic technology, capturing only about 20% of the sun’s energy, while photosynthesis can store 60% as chemical energy. Solar panels are limited by semiconductors’ ability to absorb light energy and by their ability to produce power. Scientists could surpass that limit with synthetic photosynthesis. They’re mimicking the process by building an artificial leaf analog that collects light and splits water molecules to generate hydrogen, usable as a fuel by itself via fuel cells or added to fuels like natural gas, or built into fuel cells to power vehicles, houses, small electronic devices, etc.
www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2021/Q2/soaking-up-the-sun-artificial-photosynthesis-promises-a-clean,-sustainable-source-of-energy.html