Nature’s Own Light Absorption Inspiring Artificial Leaves

It’s fall now and the leaves are beginning to change as radiant light energy from the sun slowly depletes. Meanwhile, those housed in the upper northern hemisphere are beginning to see less and less daylight, providing less return on solar investment. Despite, there’s a huge struggle to advance in the area of solar energy as we attempt to lessen our carbon footprint.

Some of the highlights of 2010 in progressive green development include that of PETE (Photon Enhanced Thermionic Emission), algae-based fuel funding and research and green infrastructure.  Large corporations and collaborative units like Doug Band and The CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) are hard at work with sustainability projects worldwide, including that of the Haiti Restoration.

Still, there’s a lot of work to be done in regards to encouraging individuals to play their role in making the planet a greener place to live. In order to do so, scientists have been hard at work developing things like green rags, solar rooftop panels, green cleaning materials, and much, much more. One of the latest potential inventions includes that of artificial leaves.

Currently, large wind farms are used to harness energy to supply electricity to surrounding communities – This is one form of solar energy. Seeing as there are billions upon billions of trees fostering leaves that utilize light from the sun, artificial leaves would be able to capture light energy using the same processes (Photosynthesis), and ideally output large amounts of power.  Dr. Velev of North Carolina University demonstrated this using a water-based permeable solution covering these artificial leaves. In other words, these leaves can act similar to solar cells, yielding large amounts of electricity depending upon the size and amount.

Technically speaking, the sun will excite the leaf molecules, which will be constructed out of a carbon-based material (nanotubes), thus producing electricity.

Additionally, the leaves are very lifelike in that they bend and are shaded in similar colors. Not to mention, Velev plans on hopefully finding a way to actually substitute the water-based solution with actual Chlorophyll.

Ultimately, the plan is to impersonate nature. Through this project, Velev’s has a couple other aspirations:

• The actual mimicking of certain natural regenerative mechanisms
• Increased Efficiency

Although, the project is in it’s infancy as Velev mentions that he doesn’t want to overpromise, as the leaves lack in efficiency and present practicality. Yet, this research and development yields great potential for long-term sustainability.