CURIOUS . Stories » Creating an Artificial Leaf

Creating an Artificial Leaf

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Spurred by the looming energy crisis, Nathan Lewis and Sossina Haile are working to invent a new kind of fuel that uses the sun to power the planet. They are attempting to produce a prototype for a truly alternative fuel source — an artificial leaf that emulates natural photosynthesis, converting solar energy into a usable, clean chemical fuel. They hope their pioneering solar cell and fuel cell technologies will eventually end our dependence on petroleum and provide an energy source that won’t pollute our planet.

Special Thanks

Footage of real leaves seen in CURIOUS was shot at New York Botanical Garden.

Founded in 1891 and located just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the New York Botanical Garden is home to one of the world’s great collections of real, living plants — the inspiration for Caltech scientists working on innovative energy solutions.

Visitors will find an “ecotour” of the world in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, an indoor/outdoor science museum for kids, and more — all on this 250-acre National Historic Landmark site in New York City’s Bronx borough.

17 responses

lucy -- October 25th, 2007 at 1:38 pm

This is the most up-to-date informative show! Ican now be confident my student scientists are getting cutting edge science information!

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Susan Fairley -- December 2nd, 2007 at 10:41 am

This is excellent, practical research – please keep providing Updates!

tramadol hydrochloride -- December 27th, 2007 at 9:36 am

Wow…. I am shocked with it. Its a … really great.

Daniel -- January 13th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

I was wondering where the oxygen goes when you split H2O witht the catalists. The Hydrogen is used in fuel cells, but the oxygen then goes into the fuel cells as well to create water? is that it, or does this product put oxygen into the enviroment much like a tree.

Keith -- January 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm

Where does the hydrogen come from? What are the proton conducting materials, their price range, and suppliers for them? What does NASA use?

Brad -- January 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 am

Is there any way I can order these episodes on DVD?? I teach Chemistry and Biology and would love to show this WHOLE episode in class. Great work!!

Jerome -- January 24th, 2008 at 11:23 pm

Daniel: the oxygen atom meets up with another oxygen right away to make O2, and into the atmosphere. When you then want the energy back from the hydrogen, pump it into a fuel cell, out comes the electricity, then the hydrogen meets up with that oxygen in the atmosphere (they’ve been wanting to combine again) and when they do, you have water again…to go back to be split by the sun’s energy into hydrogen and oxygen….

Jerome -- January 24th, 2008 at 11:31 pm

I thought that by running electricity from a solar panel to a fuel cell and supplying water to the FC, it would split the H2O, you store the H until you need electricity again, run it back to the FC and you then have electricity. What are these scientists trying to do differently?

Doodee -- February 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Thanks for sharing

Jesspahagolla -- February 10th, 2008 at 6:47 am

I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:

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Jesspahagolla -- March 24th, 2008 at 11:07 am

I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.

Tommy -- June 25th, 2008 at 12:58 am

I’m not sure who Nathan Lewis and Sossina Haile are or where they work or what they are doing. It’s all very vague ‘we’re trying to make an artificial leaf…’ Well, duh, isn’t everyone? What have they accomplished, where is the evidence? This is poor reporting.

Tom -- November 6th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

That was pretty interesting.
but isnt everyone trying to create the “Artificial Leaf”

Plus its to expensive to Create!

David Milunic -- October 20th, 2009 at 8:54 pm

25 years ago, when I was in college, I attended a talk by two Nobel Laureates on the future of energy. One of them (I don’t remember their names) said that “Photolysis” was going to be the future of energy. Needless to say, the other speaker practically laughed. Who’s laughing now?