First "Artifical Leaf" Invented

Here you go, Current Events section, news that is not politics


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201...191042.htm

Basically sounds like a solar cell that can mimic photosynthesis to a degree. Should be a big help to developing countries because they are cheap to produce.

Awesome! I can't wait until most if not all homes are powered by solar energy/photosynthesis. One step closer to absolutely sustainable energy.

B> Artificial trees.

Interesting. I wounder just how practical the uses are for this.

Simply amazing.

Is ten times the amount which a leaf can produce significant? Still delightful indeed.

Is ten times the amount which a leaf can produce significant? Still delightful indeed.

Judging from this I say it would be:

Placed in a single gallon of water in a bright sunlight, the device could produce enough electricity to supply a house in a developing country with electricity for a day,

Sounds neat, especially if the hydrogen is burned for energy creating water as a byproduct. Hooray for idealistic directish conversion of sunlight > electricity? Though that probably is how they power the fuel cell, like a steam generator maybe?

Omg a tree powering my house from out on a lawn would be crazy. If it's cheap to make then that will essentially solve the energy crisis won't it?

B> Artificial trees.

http://www.qualitysilkplants.com/

http://www.qualitysilkplants.com/

Holy s'hit. An artificial cactus would be so badass. It's giving me energy for my home and i can use it as a bat fend off those who want to steal it!

Holy s'hit. An artificial cactus would be so badass. It's giving me energy for my home and i can use it as a bat fend off those who want to steal it!

You...do know that those are only "artificial trees", not "artificially photosynthesizing trees", right?

You...do know that those are only "artificial trees", not "artificially photosynthesizing trees", right?

Yes but i'm saying if they existed in the future. I don't have a house, would kind of be the indication.

Yes but i'm saying if they existed in the future. I don't have a house, would kind of be the indication.

Okay just checking, haha. And yeah, a power cactus would be SO BADASS.

Judging from this I say it would be:

That's terribly vague. What activities can the power source provide for? Electronic use? Heavy electronic use? Air conditioning? Or simply just basic lighting?

EDIT: F'uck yeah @ power cactus

That's terribly vague. What activities can the power source provide for? Electronic use? Heavy electronic use? Air conditioning? Or simply just basic lighting?

Probably basic lighting, fridge and things like that aren't consuming electricity all the time (microwaves, TVs, radios, etc).

Probably basic lighting, fridge and things like that aren't consuming electricity all the time (microwaves, TVs, radios, etc).

Being where I have been, the greatest portion of electricity bill often goes straight to air conditioning. Back in Vietnam, coolers were heaven-sent; here in Washington, home is where a heater is at.
I'm not sure about Africa, maybe they'd be pleased with a lightbulb or two and a fan to boot. But that's why I want to know how much these things can dish out anyway. If they could provide enough electricity to run a typical US-home day, I'd be pretty damned impressed.

Another version with slightly different details;
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/20...tml?ref=hp

Well, well. This gives a whole new meaning to the term "green technology".

Puns aside, I think this might help wean us off fossil fuels and nuclear power. Although not totally, it will definitely reduce our carbon footprint by a significant amount, as well as ensure that the current Japanese nuclear scare will never happen again (or at the very least, on a much smaller scale).

Suddenly, Fica's have more use than office decoration.