Cambridge team makes step toward artificial photosynthesis

It is further claimed that the device developed at Cambridge University operates without requiring any additional components or electricity.

The advance is said to be based on an advanced 'photosheet' technology and converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and formic acid, a storable fuel that can be used directly or be converted into hydrogen.

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The wireless device, which is reported in the journal Nature Energy, could be scaled up and used on energy 'farms' similar to solar farms, producing clean fuel using sunlight and water.

Harvesting solar energy to convert carbon dioxide into fuel is a promising way to reduce carbon emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, but it is challenging to produce these clean fuels without unwanted by-products.

"It's been difficult to achieve artificial photosynthesis with a high degree of selectivity, so that you're converting as much of the sunlight as possible into the fuel you want, rather than be left with a lot of waste," said first author Dr Qian Wang from Cambridge's Department of Chemistry.