Chemist Hopes 'Artificial Leaf' Can Power Civilization Using Photosynthesis

Imagine an artificial leaf that mimics photosynthesis, which lets plants harness energy from the sun. But this leaf would have the ability to power your homes and cars with clean energy using only sunlight and water.

 This is not some far-off idea of the future. It's reality, and the subject of a jury-prize-winning film in the GE Focus Forward Film Competition.

 Jared P. Scott and Kelly Nyks' short film, " The Artificial Leaf," showcases chemist Daniel Nocera, the inventor of the artificial leaf, a device that he says can power the world.

 "The truth is stranger than fiction," Kelly Nyks, a partner at PF Pictures, told ABC News. "What I think is so exciting is that Dan has taken this science and applied it in a way that makes bringing it to scale to solve the energy crisis for the planet real and possible."

 Nocera's leaf is simply a silicon wafer coated with catalysts that use sunlight to split water to into hydrogen and oxygen components.

 "Essentially, it mimics photosynthesis," Nocera told ABC News.
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What can scientists do to try to alleviate hunger?

Plant scientists are working to develop plants that are drought or stress tolerant, require less fertilizer or water, are more resistant to pathogens, and are more nutritious. Drought stress causes plants to produce less food, and the incidence of drought is increasing. It has been possible to breed drought-tolerant traits into many plants. Fertilizer application enhances yields, but also is very energy demanding and polluting. Learning how plants take up and use nutrients helps farmers use fertilizers more effectively and breeders enhance nutrient utilization. Plants are continually threatened by pathogens and pests. Scientists must meet the challenges of newly emerging pathogens by identifying resistant lines and improving management practices. It is also important that our crop plants resist pathogens after they are harvested so that they stay fresh and safe between the time of harvesting and the time they are used as food. Plants provide us with necessary vitamins and nutrients, but many people only have access to relatively nutrient-poor foods. Scientists are breeding plants that are better sources of vitamin A, iron and many other essential nutrients.
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