Scientists develop technology to convert solar energy directly into fuel

In line with the development of technology utilizing solar energy to electricity using solar panels, the scientists also tried to look at more efficient ways to harness the sunlight into fuel for cars directly. The scientists first step is to create solar nano-cell than utilizes electric current generated to electrolyze water molecules into hydrogen or oxygen.


The Germany-based, Solar GmbH Fuel technology group, then process the hydrogen generated to produce methane through the reaction with CO2 emissions from power plants or cement kilns. Meanwhile Joule Bio-Technologies, Massachusetts based, also developing this technology to converts sunlight into biofuel using cyanobacteria, which is a genetically engineered micro-organisms. They also use CO2 to be digested by the cyanobacteria to produce biofuels.


This technological development will further add to the benefits of solar power, in addition to directly generate electricity through the installation of solar panels. Solar fuels will likely be closer to be realized for our car tanks.