Researchers from the US Department of Energy and the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, with the University of California Berkeley, have developed a new system that keeps CO2 from traveling into the atmosphere. Once the process becomes less costly, artificial photosynthesis is anticipated to have far-reaching benefits for the entire world, as it could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Artificial Photosynthesis Converts CO2 and Keeps It Out of The Atmosphere
Across the world, natural habitats are lost; in fact, the sites visitors travel so far to witness are increasingly being threatened due to the reliance on fossil fuels. The discovery of this artificial photosynthetic system, however, is a victory in the fight against global warming. It can be used to convert CO2, or carbon dioxide, into useful items like biodegradable plastic products, medications, or fuel sources; as such, this would essentially eliminate the need of having to travel to various locations to dig up fossil fuels, like oil or coal.
The process works through a mixture of steps using nanowires and bacteria that work together to mimic the photosynthesis process that plants use to turn carbon dioxide into food and the byproduct, oxygen. The newly discovered system, however, turns CO2 and water into a form of acetate, which is a building block of biosynthesis, and can be fine-tuned to create a number of products.
Artificial Photosynthesis Helps Conserve Natural Resources
Global warming is a dangerous process caused by the emission of excess carbon dioxide through emissions from vehicles, machinery, etc. Data obtained from research shows that there is more carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere than has ever been present in more than three-million years, and scientists are increasingly becoming more concerned about the rise in the average temperature of the Earth. Artificial photosynthesis, however, will decrease humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels, thereby helping to conserve Earth’s natural resources. By doing so, the Earth will hopefully become a greener place to live.
Around the world, there are a ton of beautiful sights and views to witness, as seen in the video below. Unfortunately, global warming threatens all that Mother Nature has to offer.
