Oil & Gas

Researchers have created a groundbreaking type of solar panel, dubbed an "artificial leaf," that uses only sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels and other high-value chemicals. This innovation marks a significant step toward replicating the efficiency of natural photosynthesis.

The team, led by experts at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in collaboration with international partners, believes the technology could be scaled for industrial use, potentially transforming how energy and raw materials are produced.

The system operates by capturing sunlight and converting carbon dioxide into carbon-carbon molecules through the catalytic power of copper combined with perovskite a metal compound commonly found in solar panels.

These carbon-based molecules, also known as diatomic carbon, are essential building blocks used in the manufacturing of fuels, plastics, and other key materials. Unlike earlier approaches that used biological materials to mimic photosynthesis, this system relies on inorganic components, offering greater durability and stability.

The research is part of a broader initiative known as the Liquid Sunlight Alliance, which aims to develop solar-driven systems that convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into usable fuels.

Drawing expertise from over 100 scientists across leading institutions including Stanford, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and various University of California campuses the project aligns with strategic goals outlined in the UK-backed Project Willow. This initiative envisions a future centered on low-carbon energy solutions.

Dr. Bedong Yang, a senior Berkeley Lab scientist, explained how each component of the artificial leaf mimics a different part of photosynthesis. The system uses perovskite instead of chlorophyll to capture sunlight, paired with specially engineered copper catalysts that resemble flower petals and facilitate chemical reactions.

During tests using a solar simulator, the device only about the size of a postage stamp efficiently produced carbon-carbon molecules. The team hopes to further enhance the technology's efficiency and scale it up for real-world applications in industries ranging from plastics to aviation fuel.