Discussion Series

Overview

 The vast majority of energy used by mankind is provided in the source of chemical, carbon-based fuels. All of this fuel originated from biological solar-to-fuels conversion: photosynthesis. Solar energy is the only source of sufficient scale to meet future energy demand. However, efficient solar-to-fuels conversion technologies are need to make solar energy compatible with the current liquid fuel infrastructure. Carbon-based chemical fuels are usable by virtue of their rapid and highly exergonic combustion reaction with molecular oxygen to generation stable oxidized byproducts, water and carbon dioxide. Therefore, all sustainable methods for solar-to-fuels conversion must involve the production of oxygen from the products of combustion. In particular, the photo-driven splitting of water into molecular oxygen and hydrogen is most attractive. Recent discoveries in our laboratory are enabling for the cheap, efficient production of oxygen from water providing the necessary reducing equivalents for the production of chemical fuels.

Solar-To-Fuels: The Importance of Making Oxygen

06:00-07:00PM Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Leader: Yogesh Surendranath
Location: NW35 Thirsty Ear Pub (in the New Ashdown 235 Albany St.)