Solar energy-harvesting “nanotrees” could produce hydrogen fuel on a mass scale
« Back to Article
Electronic microscopic image of a "nanoforest," with green tint added for contrast (Imge: Wang Research Group, UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering)
The light trapping effect in nanowire arrays sees photons bounced between single nanowires and eventually absorbed by them (R), allowing hydrogen fuel to be produced more efficiently compared to planar counterparts where they are reflected off the surface (L) (Image: Wang Research Group, UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering)
Article Summary
While hydrogen is considered a “clean” fuel because the only waste product it generates is water, the conventional way to produce it relies on electricity, which is usually produced through the burning of fossil fuels. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), have now developed a “3D branched nanowire array” that they claim could cheaply and cleanly deliver hydrogen fuel on a mass scale.
« Back to Solar energy-harvesting “nanotrees” could produce hydrogen fuel on a mass scale
Other Images from this Gallery
Related Articles
-
Hydrogen-powered zero-emission Scooter
-
Home Energy Station to expand fuel cell applications
7th October, 2003
-
HyperSolar harnesses sunlight to produce cleaner-than-clean hydrogen fuel
26th January, 2012
-
Breakthrough in using sunlight to split water
16th April, 2010
-
Roving mobile processing plants to produce biofuels
8th July, 2010
-
ORNL demonstrates photosynthetic hydrogen production
3rd February, 2011
