Searches to produce electricity from the vegetables through the conversion of light energy into electrochemical
The cartoon Popeye taught us, in a playful way, what could be the nutritional value of spinach. But that these herbs could become a useful source for the production of clean electricity no one could ever imagine, except perhaps for a team of American researchers.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have started from a point: the spinach contain Photosystem1, a photo-synthetic protein capable of converting light into electrochemical energy. A series of experiments has allowed us to develop a technique capable of combining the protein in question with the silicon, the material present in solar cells.
The results? Surprising, as the authors have pointed out the discovery: it produces more electrical current compared to the solar cells bio-hybrid, in a proportion of almost 1000 times higher than the juxtaposition between the protein and various types of metals.
Also the potential for much higher voltage, until you point within three years of organizing effective solar energy conversion technologies. A goal that necessarily will pass for the construction of a solar panel PS1-silicon capable of producing at least 100 milliamps volt, share sufficient to activate various electric instruments.
The innovation bring with it a number of advantages, first of all economic and practical. These cells bio-hybrid in fact you can build with materials of low-priced and easy to find, unlike many microelectronic devices that require rare and expensive materials, just think, to cite a few examples, platinum or to the native.
In addition, the PS1 is a protein that can be found in many other plants, such as kudzu vine that the research group of Tennessee is undergoing a parallel research project.
The latest demonstration that nature presents itself as an inexhaustible container solutions for the production of energy with zero impact. He's the man in the right measure applied technologies, investment and knowledge available.
10/11/2012
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Source:
Italian version of ReteIngegneri.it