The challenge is to build synthetic leaves that mimic nature's ability to exploit the awesome power of the sun. It (AP) offers the possibility of producing fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide and sunlight.

The goal is to create an inexhaustible source of non-polluting energy and useful chemicals that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Without natural photosynthesis there would be no life on earth. If we can tap into this process (and we are working on it) we can use artificial synthetic "leaves" to convert carbon dioxide to useful chemicals.

Most of us are smarter than weeds and grass so it won't be long now. If house plants think they can keep & hide their secrets from us then they have another think coming!

-- swampthing (energy@CO2.ed), April 11, 2000

Answers

The Photosystem I protein molecule, sometimes called "the Earth's power station," was analyzed by a scientific team representing the Max Volmer Institute for Biophysical Chemistry and Biochemistry in Berlin, Germany. The team reported their results in their Final Report published from the Life and Microgravity Spacelab (LMS) mission. The team hopes these results will give scientists a more detailed knowledge of the Photosystem I molecule's shape, exact atomic positions, and biological functions. And by using the results of the experiments on the space shuttle, scientists can improve the crystallization conditions here on Earth.

The Space Shuttle investigation is trying to discover what features of photosynthetic proteins allow for solar energy conversion. While humans have only been developing solar power technology for a few decades, plants have been evolving for billions of years to perfect their photosynthetic technique. By studying how plants accomplish this remarkable feat, scientists hope to someday also develop systems that use light as a power source. Identifying and studying characteristics of the protein's metabolism may someday also be used for applications in pollution prevention and environmental clean-ups.

(Same thing, different article. Very interesting stuff -kirsten)

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), April 12, 2000.

swampthing:

"Most of us are smarter than weeds... "

Hmmm...

"If we can tap into this process (and we are working on it) we can use artificial synthetic "leaves" to convert carbon dioxide to useful chemicals."

Synthetic leaves, huh.

You know the funny thing is, harnessing the simple algaes is turning out to be extrememly helpful in reagards to breaking down certain pollutants.

Care to elaborate more?

-- flora (***@__._), April 12, 2000.

Artificial photosynthesis appears to be at the stage solar power was a generation ago. Photosynthesis is a hard concept to learn and it affects every living thing on the surface of the planet. We continue to unlock the secrets of nature and it will only be a matter of time until we understand the secret of plants.

Thanks Kritter, for your article.

-- tc (tc@webtv.net), April 12, 2000.

flora....rent the video...The little shop of horrors.:o)

-- fauna (abc@xyz.ed), April 12, 2000.

fauna:

Stay away from 'Day of the Triffids'.

{Scarred me for life!}

-- flora (***@__._), April 12, 2000.