Artificial Photosynthesis Technology

 

Photosynthesis is the process used by plants, algae and certain bacteria to harness energy from sunlight and turn it into chemical energy.

The basic mechanism of photosynthesis is considered as an oxidation-reduction reaction activated by light absorbed by chlorophyll or certain other substances (e.g., phycocyanin, fucoxanthol), resulting in the evolution of oxygen from water and in the formation of reduced carbon compounds (e.g., carbohydrate) from carbon dioxide.

Artificial photosynthesis is a process that mimics a very famous biochemical reaction: natural photosynthesis. The artificial photosynthesis system includes an enzyme bed reactor to fix CO2 in the air (or any other source needing CO2 to be removed).

How it works?

Types of photosynthetic processes:

A. Based in oxygen presence.

There are two types of photosynthetic processes: oxygenic photosynthesis and anoxygenic photosynthesis. The general principles of anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis are very similar, but oxygenic photosynthesis is the most common and is seen in plants, algae and cyanobacteria.

Chemical Reaction.

B. Based in the general production.

There are two methods used to render fuel from photosynthetic occurring, that’s known as Natural Photosynthesis; the two types are, Natural process, and Artificial process. 

Natural process intakes carbon dioxide from the air and processes it further with water and sunlight to produce carbohydrates, oxygen, and water e.g. photosynthesis in trees. Whereas, artificial process intakes directed air from industries, process it with water and sunlight, and converted into fuels and other customized products e.g. carbon capture technology.

The most obvious application of artificial photosynthesis is the conversion of sunlight to useful forms of energy, such as electricity by photovoltaic devices or fuel by photochemical reactors. Modern solar cells are already being built on principles gleaned from natural photosynthesis.

The list of anticipated artificial photosynthesis applications are the following: 

1. Electricity production

2. Fuel production 

3. Fluid hydrogen  

4. Oxygen 

As it is known, that artificial photosynthesis is new-born technology. A range of its applications is yet to cover several aspects. 

Top 5 Artificial photosynthesis technology companies:

1. Toshiba.
2. Panasonic.
3. Peidong Yang Group.
4. NEDO.
5. Xinchen Wang Group.