August 21st, 2006
Solar energy is used by plants to efficiently produce energy and food, so why cant men to the same? Michael Haumann from the Freie Universität Berlin who is studying the detailed cycles of Photosynthesis in plants, believes that understanding how solar energy is used in plants is fundamental to producing more efficient solar cells for man's needs.
A study on how plants absorb almost 100% of the sunlight reaching them and how these are transformed into other forms of energy are being investigated by Michaeal Haumann and Holger Dau. Using the X-Ray source of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) they have confirmed the fifth step in the catalysis process converting water into oxygen. Only four of the five steps have been scientifically confirmed and this development will improve the understanding of the Photosynthetic process.
The researchers further believe that with this new development, man can learn from the process and improve the present level of solar cell technology. I think they are right, do you agree? Read more here.