An artificial leaf has been developed at the University of Cambridge which mimics photosynthesis, the process plants use to gather energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. At present, a gas known as syngas is produced from fossil fuels, but the carbon-neutral solution made by scientists could eventually be used to develop a sustainable liquid fuel alternative to petrol. Professor Erwin Reisner and his team have managed to ensure the device does not release any additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Scientists say they have managed to make the artificial leaf sustainable unlike others in the past because of the combination of materials and catalysts they used. "It's challenging to produce it in one step from sunlight using the carbon dioxide reduction reaction.

Source: Daily Mirror October 22, 2019 12:22 UTC