Artificial photosynthesis could drive production of hydrogen

It is thought that this method of harnessing the sun’s energy will be far more efficient than existing solar converters.

The £800,000 research project, funded by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), will be undertaken by the University of East Anglia with colleagues from the universities of Leeds and Cambridge.

In a statement, lead researcher Prof Julea Butt, from UEA’s school of chemistry and school of biological sciences, said: ‘Reserves of fossil fuels are dwindling, and fuel prices are rising, so it’s really vital that we look to renewable energy supplies.

‘Many renewable energy supplies, such as sunlight, wind and the waves, remain largely untapped resources. This is mainly due to the challenges that exist in converting these energy forms into fuels from which energy can be released on demand — for example, when we want to switch on a light, boil water, play computer games, or drive a car.

‘We have been inspired by natural plant processes. During plant photosynthesis, fuels are made naturally from the energy in sunlight.