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Monday, March 28, 2011

ARTIFICIAL LEAF





Daniel Nocera (MIT/Mass.) and collaborators have created an artificial hand (leaf), able to generate cheap energy that just needs only 1 gallon of water and sunlight to power individual homes of people in developing countries. The model copies the natural process of plants to produce energy and grow using sunlight, water and CO2 (photosynthesis). The artificial hand like a natural leaf uses low energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and store energy. Placed in a gallon of water in a bright sunlight, the artificial hand produce enough electricity. The hydrogen and oxygen gases would be stored in a fuel cell, located either on top of the house or beside it. The artificial hand -the size of a poker card- made ​​of silica, has electrical systems and catalytic converters (nickel and cobalt). 10 years ago, John Turner created an artificial leaf that used platinum as catalyst, a model abandoned because was expensive and because its useful life last less than 24 hours. The Nocera new model is more stable, lasts 2 days and is 10 times more effective than a natural leaf for photosynthesis. From: American Chemical Society (2011, March 28). Debut of the first practical 'artificial leaf'. HOJAS ARTIFICIALES Daniel Nocera (MIT/Mass.) y colaboradores han creado una mano (hoja), artificial capáz de generar energía barata que solo necesita agua y luz solar para suministrar energía a casas individuales de personas de países en vías de desarrollo. El modelo copia el proceso natural de las plantas para producir energía y crecer empleando luz solar, agua y CO2 (fotosíntesis). La mano artificial simula una hoja natural empleando escasa energía para dividir el agua en hidrógeno y oxígeno y almacenar energia. La mano, del tamaño de una carta de póker, hecha de silice, sistemas eléctricos y convertidores cataliticos (niquel y cobalto, para acelerar la reacción quimica), esta inmersa en 1 galón de agua, expuesta al sol. Hace 10 años, John Turner creó una hoja artifical que utilizaba como catalizador platino, un modelo abnadonado porque a gran escala era caro, siendo su vida util menor a 24 hs. El nuevo modelo de Nocera es mas estable, dura 2 dias y es 10 veces mas efectivo que una hoja natural para realizar fotosíntesis.

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