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WUSTL researchers demonstrate solar-panel-powered microbial electrosynthesis to produce n-butanol from light, CO2 and power

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A team of biologists and engineers modified Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 (TIE-1) so that it can produce a biofuel using only three renewable and naturally abundant source ingredients: carbon dioxide, solar panel-generated electricity and light. We hope that it can be a steppingstone for future sustainable solar fuel production.

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UCLA team proposes non-photosynthetic biological conversion of CO2

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Furthermore, the maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion by photosynthesis is 5%, while typical solar panel efficiency reaches 20%. an and Park (2020) “Light-Independent Biological Conversion of CO 2 ,” Joule doi: 10.1016/ j.joule.2020.08.007. Acetogenic microbes (e.g., ljungdahlii, and M. an and Park. 2020.08.007.

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Berkeley Lab solar-to-fuel system for CO2 to ethanol and ethylene; light-powered production of fuel via artificial photosynthesis

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Solar to chemical energy conversion could provide an alternative to mankind's unsustainable use of fossil fuels. Schematic of a solar-powered electrolysis cell which converts carbon dioxide into hydrocarbon and oxygenate products with an efficiency far higher than natural photosynthesis. —Gurudayal et al. to 1-sun illumination.

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New photocatalytic system converts carbon dioxide to valuable fuel more efficiently than natural photosynthesis

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The new system mimics a natural chloroplast to convert carbon dioxide in water into methane, very efficiently using light. It mimics the structure of a purple bacteria’s light-harvesting chromatophores (i.e. Formation of a hydrogen-bond enhanced nanomicelle and its hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction under solar energy.

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Researchers develop new stable artificial photosynthesis device to produce ethylene and hydrogen from sunlight and CO2

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For the current study, Toma and her team designed a model solar fuels device known as a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell made of copper(I) oxide or cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O), a promising artificial photosynthesis material. The Advanced Light Source, Molecular Foundry, and NERSC are user facilities at Berkeley Lab. —Francesca Toma.

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Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formic acid using an alumina-supported, iron-based compound; 80-90% selectivity

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The rising CO2 levels in our atmosphere and their contribution to global warming is now common news. As researchers experiment with different ways to battle this problem, one efficient solution has emerged—converting excess atmospheric CO2 into energy-rich chemicals. Such a system consists of a light-absorbing substrate (i.e.,

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Liquid Light unveils cost-advantaged catalytic process to make chemicals from CO2

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Liquid Light unveiled its new process for the production of major chemicals from carbon dioxide, showcasing its demonstration-scale “reaction cell” and confirming the potential for cost-advantaged process economics. Further, Liquid Light’s process can sequester carbon when using energy sources such as solar, hydro, wind or nuclear power.

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