The idea of a power source with negative carbon emissions - yes, that's "negative", not "zero" - sounds like pure science fiction, right? But it can be done, just not at useful, commercial levels yet.
The technology described in a new research paper looks at effectively hijacking the photosynthesis process as algae converts carbon dioxide into food. With an anode and cathode chamber separated by a honeycomb-shaped proton exchange membrane, the process starts by taking in carbon dioxide from the air, and its only by-product is water, making the whole process carbon-negative. At a simplistic level, it works by capturing the electrons that the algae creates during photosynthesis, and harnessing them to produce electricity.
Thus far, researchers have only succeeded in creating a terminal voltage of just one volt from a single micro photosynthetic power cell, and scaling it up may well prove challenging. But, hey, scientists love a challenge don't they?
No comments:
Post a Comment