photosynthesis

Researchers have developed a prototype system that replicates photosynthesis to generate methane from sunlight, water, and CO2. This innovation marks a significant step towards sustainable fuel production and lessening dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels. Solar panels, harnessing the sun’s energy to produce electricity, are becoming more widespread. While humans are still mastering the conversion of solar energy into fuel, plants have long perfected this through photosynthesis. Recently, researchers reporting in ACS…

‘The extinction of dinosaurs’ is one of the greatest mysteries in Earth's history which is again in focus with claims that a massive cloud of dust may have been a key factor in the extinction of…

Scientists found that natural photosynthesis exhibits similar characteristics to exciton condensates—a frictionless energy state, typically requiring extremely low temperatures. This insight may improve technology design, potentially doubling energy efficiency.UChicago researchers hope “islands” of exciton condensation could pave the way for new discoveries.Inside a lab, scientists marvel at a strange state that forms when they cool down atoms to nearly <span class="glossaryLink"…

Highlighting a study on a mechanism of photoelectrochemical water splitting on Si photoanode passivated with TiOx layer with various defect density from the laboratories of Dr. Ansoon Kim at Korea Research Institute of Standards & Science (KRISS). Credit: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS)KRISS showcased the carrier transport mechanism of a photoanode with a protective film to enhance the production of green hydrogen. This advancement can aid in achieving carbon-free green hydrogen production…

The process that powers much of life on Earth, photosynthesis, is so finely tuned that just one photon is enough to kick it off. Scientists have long suspected that photosynthesis must be sensitive to individual photons, or particles of light, because despite the way it dominates our days, the sun’s light is surprisingly sparse at the level of individual plant cells. But only now, with the help of quantum physics, have researchers been able to watch a single packet of light begin the process in an experiment described on…

Scientists have developed an illustrative method called coherence maps to elucidate quantum phenomena. They used these maps to gain insights into the quantum mechanics underlying photosynthesis — the process plants and some bacteria utilize to convert sunlight into food. The technique, which portrays a system’s quantum behavior, enabled the team to study the molecular structure responsible for harvesting sunlight and the transfer of this energy to the site of a chemical reaction.Researchers have developed coherence maps,…

Life on Earth owes its existence to photosynthesis – a process which is 2.3 billion years old. This immensely fascinating (and still not fully understood) reaction enables plants and other organisms to harvest sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide while converting them into oxygen and energy in the form of sugar.Photosynthesis is such an integral part of Earth's functioning that we pretty much take it for granted. But as we look beyond our own planet for places to explore and settle on, it is obvious how rare and valuable…

A University of Chicago study found links at the atomic level between photosynthesis and exciton condensates—a strange state of physics that allows energy to flow frictionlessly through a material. The finding is scientifically intriguing and may suggest new ways to think about designing electronics, the authors said.<span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>University of Chicago</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Founded in…

Researchers at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (along with collaborators in Sweden, Germany and the UK) have shed new light on the final step of photosynthesis. They observed in atomic detail how Photosystem II, a protein complex found in plants, undergoes a transformation that leads to the loss of an extra oxygen atom. Scientists believe the discoveries will help provide a roadmap for optimizing clean energy sources. “It’s really going to change the way we think about…

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have developed a sustainable method to create the essential amino acid L-alanine from CO2. This process uses artificial photosynthesis, converting CO2 to methanol and then to L-alanine. This new method requires less space than traditional agriculture, highlighting the potential of combining bioeconomy and hydrogen economy for a more sustainable future.Researchers produce important amino acid from greenhouse gas CO2Growing demand for food in the worldBiotechnological…