The ‘artificial leaf’ of 2011 has been improved, and is now able to self-heal as it produces energy from dirty water.
The leaf is made up of a simple silicon water coated in a catalyst that, when submerged in water and exposed to sunlight, causes the water to break down into hydrogen and oxygen which can then be collected and used to produce electricity in fuel cells. However, because bacteria can accumulate on the leaf’s surface and interfere with the process, the device could only be used with pure water.
The new leaf features a catalyst that has been altered so that part of it falls apart, which denies the bacteria the smooth surface they need to create a biofilm. Once the bacteria have been dispersed, the catalyst can re-assemble, healing itself. The artificial leaf also uses cheaper materials than similar devices and is made with a simple ‘buried junction’ wiring design that helps to reduce manufacturing costs.
The leaf is made up of a simple silicon water coated in a catalyst that, when submerged in water and exposed to sunlight, causes the water to break down into hydrogen and oxygen which can then be collected and used to produce electricity in fuel cells. However, because bacteria can accumulate on the leaf’s surface and interfere with the process, the device could only be used with pure water.
The new leaf features a catalyst that has been altered so that part of it falls apart, which denies the bacteria the smooth surface they need to create a biofilm. Once the bacteria have been dispersed, the catalyst can re-assemble, healing itself. The artificial leaf also uses cheaper materials than similar devices and is made with a simple ‘buried junction’ wiring design that helps to reduce manufacturing costs.
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