New analysis points the way to optimizing efficiency of an
integrated system for harvesting sunlight to make storable fuel.
Bringing the concept of an “artificial leaf” closer to
reality, a team of researchers at MIT has published a detailed analysis of all
the factors that could limit the efficiency of such a system. The new analysis
lays out a roadmap for a research program to improve the efficiency of these
systems, and could quickly lead to the production of a practical, inexpensive
and commercially viable prototype.
Such a system would use sunlight to produce a storable fuel,
such as hydrogen, instead of electricity for immediate use. This fuel could
then be used on demand to generate electricity through a fuel cell or other
device. This process would liberate solar energy for use when the sun isn’t
shining, and open up a host of potential new applications.