Plants use the energy of sunlight to convert CO2 into energy-rich sugar molecules.
Plants use the energy of sunlight to convert CO2 into energy-rich sugar molecules. This process is called photosynthesis and is the foundation of virtually all life: animals and humans can “burn” the carbohydrates produced in this way again and use the energy stored within them. This once more produces carbon dioxide, closing the cycle.
This model could also be the key to environmentally friendly fuels, as researchers are working on imitating natural photosynthesis and using sunlight to produce high-energy compounds: solar fuels such as hydrogen, methanol and synthetic petrol. If burned, they would produce only as much carbon dioxide as was needed to produce the fuels. In other words, they would be carbon-neutral.
Read More at: University of Basel
As with natural photosynthesis, the new molecule temporarily stores two positive and two negative charges. (Photo Credit: Deyanira Geisnæs Schaad)
