Sunlight Falling On Catalyst-Coated Silicon Wafer Splits Water Into Hydrogen and Oxygen

October 1st, 2011

This is nowhere near viable, but it’s definitely interesting.

Via: Massachusetts Institute of Technology / YouTube:

An “artificial leaf” made by Daniel Nocera and his team, using a silicon solar cell with novel catalyst materials bonded to its two sides, is shown in a container of water with light (simulating sunlight) shining on it. The light generates a flow of electricity that causes the water molecules, with the help of the catalysts, to split into oxygen and hydrogen, which bubble up from the two surfaces.

More: Nature News: Secrets of Artificial Leaf Revealed

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