Rocket REVOLUTION: Scientists create photosynthesis-inspired fuel from CO2 and WATER

Humanity is already building the next generation of rockets like the SpaceX Starhopper and NASA Space Launch System capable of carrying crew and cargo into space. And efforts to send humans to Mars in the coming decades would be helped if we could make fuel on the red planet. But that wish could soon become a reality after scientists create liquid fuel from carbon dioxide and water after taking inspiration from photosynthesis.

Those determined to make fuel on Mars, will want to find a source of water.

Water molecules contain hydrogen and oxygen, which you can separate to make fuel.

A way to mimic the natural process of photosynthesis will one day be used to reduce the level carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and power engines.

Photosynthesis is crucial to plants as it converts carbon dioxide and water into energy, with a little help from sunlight.

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And the natural process has now been replicated and adapted to produce liquid fuel for the first time.

The reaction produces propane which is high enough in energy to powering rockets through space.

And the energy has the added benefit of being clean.

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Production on Earth could hoover-up excess carbon dioxide and use sunlight to produce high-energy chemicals.

Liquid fuels are better than gas as they are easier to transport, safer and pack in more energy.

Photosynthesis is the natural process by which green plants use energy from the sun as well as water in the soil and carbon dioxide in the air to make food in the form of energy-dense glucose.

Chlorophyll is the catalyst behind the reaction, as well as being the pigment that makes plants green and also absorbs sunlight.

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Instead of chlorophyll, however, scientists are replicating the reaction in the lab using a metal to absorb light energy.

This energy drives the transfer of electrons and protons in the chemical reactions between CO2 and water.

Dr Prashant Jain, co-author of the study said: “Liquid fuels are ideal because they are easier, safer and more economical to transport than gas and, because they are made from long-chain molecules, contain more bonds, meaning they pack energy more densely.”

There are several ways in which the energy stored in hydrocarbons can be captured and turned into fuel.

However, the conventional method of combustion – burning carbon dioxide – ends up producing more carbon dioxide, Dr Jain said.

source: express.co.uk