Solar Energy News
SOLAR DAILY
Hydrogels utilize sunlight for sustainable hydrogen production
illustration only
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
Hydrogels utilize sunlight for sustainable hydrogen production
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 07, 2024

Scientists have long sought to replicate how plants transform sunlight into energy, aiming to develop renewable energy alternatives through artificial photosynthesis. This process involves using sunlight to power chemical reactions that yield clean energy. Yet, engineering synthetic systems that emulate natural photosynthesis has remained an elusive goal.

Now, researchers from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) and the University of Tokyo have introduced a bioinspired hydrogel capable of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. This innovation marks significant progress in clean energy research, with hydrogen recognized as a promising fuel source for the future. Unlike existing methods such as solar photovoltaics and electrolysis that require external energy, this hydrogel system harnesses sunlight directly for water splitting, potentially boosting efficiency and reducing costs. The findings were recently published in 'Chemical Communications'.

The team, led by Associate Professor Kosuke Okeyoshi, doctoral student Reina Hagiwara at JAIST, and Professor Ryo Yoshida at the University of Tokyo, designed hydrogels with specialized polymer networks that facilitate electron transfer, a critical component in splitting water. The hydrogels incorporate functional molecules, such as ruthenium complexes and platinum nanoparticles, which work collectively to mimic photosynthesis.

"The biggest challenge was figuring out how to arrange these molecules so they could transfer electrons smoothly," said Prof. Okeyoshi. "By using a polymer network, we were able to prevent them from clumping together, which is a common issue in synthetic photosynthesis systems."

First-author and Ph.D. student Reina Hagiwara highlighted, "What's unique here is how the molecules are organized within the hydrogel. By creating a structured environment, we've made the energy conversion process much more efficient."

A significant achievement of this research is the hydrogels' ability to prevent the aggregation of functional molecules, a longstanding problem in artificial photosynthesis systems. This improvement led to enhanced hydrogen production, surpassing the performance of previous methods.

This development holds potential for transforming clean energy production. Producing hydrogen using only water and sunlight could pave the way for a sustainable energy future, replacing fossil fuels. "Hydrogen is a fantastic energy source because it is clean and renewable. Our hydrogels offer a way to produce hydrogen using sunlight, which could help sustainably reshape energy technologies," said Prof. Okeyoshi.

While these findings are promising, the researchers acknowledge further work is needed. Scaling up hydrogel production and ensuring long-term stability are the next steps. "We have shown the potential, but now we need to refine the technology for industrial use," Prof. Okeyoshi added. "The possibilities are exciting, and we're eager to continue pushing forward."

Future efforts will also focus on enhancing the hydrogels' design to optimize energy conversion efficiency further. The team's dedication to advancing renewable energy solutions remains steadfast.

Research Report:Bioinspired hydrogels: polymeric designs towards artificial photosynthesis

Related Links
Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SOLAR DAILY
High renewable energy penetration reduces blackout impact
London, UK (SPX) Nov 07, 2024
New research has revealed that power grids with significant use of weather-dependent renewable energy sources (WD-RESs), such as wind and solar, tend to experience lower intensity blackouts. This comes as positive news as nations worldwide strive to meet ambitious climate targets. Published in 'Nature Energy', this study analyzed data from U.S. blackouts between 2001 and 2020, offering insights relevant to countries transitioning their power grids toward high WD-RES reliance. In Ireland, for insta ... read more

SOLAR DAILY
Waste heat from London sewers eyed to warm UK parliament

Bio-based fibers may have greater environmental impact than traditional plastics

Cobalt copper tandem catalysts transform CO2 into renewable ethanol

Sacred cow: coal-hungry India eyes bioenergy to cut carbon

SOLAR DAILY
First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million

Saab deploys advanced autonomous swarm tech in major AUKUS defense trial

Robot learns flexible cleaning skills by observing humans

3D-printed rovers challenge students in Mars exploration training

SOLAR DAILY
Sweden blocks 13 offshore wind farms over defence concerns

Sweden's defence concerned by planned offshore wind power

On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument

Renewables revolt in Sardinia, Italy's coal-fired island

SOLAR DAILY
Bentley pushes back target of all-electric luxury cars to 2035

BMW's profits plunge as China sales slump

Paris banishes through-traffic from city centre

Norway speeds ahead of EU in race for fossil-free roads

SOLAR DAILY
NASA opens Power Systems essay contest for K12 students

Silk Thread Innovation Powers Smart Textile Technology

Direct Observation of Space Charge Layers Inside Fuel Cell Electrolytes

In search of high-performance materials for fusion reactors

SOLAR DAILY
Rwanda counting on Russia to train nuclear power specialists

Building the materials for the next generation of nuclear reactor

Framatome opens new Italian offices to bolster European nuclear energy growth

Small modular nuclear reactors may drive US energy and emissions progress

SOLAR DAILY
The refrigerator as an indicator of societal progress

China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'

Brazil raises target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions

France, Barbados, Kenya urge global levies to tackle climate change

SOLAR DAILY
How urban planners can use trees to cool entire cities

Indonesia tribe's homeland at risk after losing final appeal: NGOs

Indigenous burning key to protecting Australia's forests for Millennia until now

Veea Amazon and AECOM partner to build the Internet of Forests in Colombia

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.