Writer: Nicole Chow

When energy from the sun hits the earth for an hour, it exceeds the energy consumed on our planet in an entire year. Solar energy is a rich and clean energy source, but why is it not yet being widely used worldwide?

There are three aspects we need to consider, namely, reliability, efficiency and cost. As we all know, sunlight does not shine everywhere at all times. Besides, building solar panels could be expensive. These limitations restrict solar energy to fully replace fossil fuels. However, the breakthrough technology of converting solar energy into liquid gives solar energy a glimmer of hope.

A cross-disciplinary team at Harvard University has created a system that can use sunlight to split the components in water such as hydrogen and oxygen. These gases can then be converted into liquid forms and stored for future uses. In fact, t is almost the same process as photosynthesis. The team has created an artificial leaf, and its effect is almost as good as that of natural leaves.

The bionic leaf is the intermediary to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. This artificial leaf may solve the problem of solar energy storage in the near future. Compared to using traditional metals like Platinum, this new design has used a silicon wafer coated on two sides with catalysts, which is relatively cheaper and widely available. It can work as a barrier to separate two gases. One side of the wafer produces hydrogen while the other side produces oxygen.

This breakthrough overcomes the limitation of solar energy by using the natural photosynthesis process as a foundation. It can bring a clean and sustainable world powered by sunlight. Doesn't nature always give mankind more than what they get from us? At least, for the benefit of the world, we shall not take this for granted.

Reference:
https://www.boldbusiness.com/energy/liquid-sunlight-energy-source/

Image Source: 
https://www.boldbusiness.com/energy/liquid-sunlight-energy-source/ 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Natural_Photosynthesis_vs_the_Bionic_Leaf.jpg