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• Scientists have applied a new twist to the process of photosynthesis – the method plants use to harness the energy of sunlight.Prof Richard Cogdell, who is leading a team at Glasgow University, says “The sun gives its energy away for free but making use of it is tricky. We can use solar panels to make electricity but it’s intermittent and difficult to store. What we are trying to do is take the energy from the sun and trap it so that it can be used when it is needed most.”
• The researchers hope to use a chemical reaction similar to photosynthesis but in an artificial system. Plants take solar energy, concentrate it and use it to split apart water into hydrogen and oxygen, according to a Glasglow statement.The oxygen is released and the hydrogen is locked into a fuel. The latest research aims to use synthetic biology to replicate the process. Rather than producing organic material from carbon dioxide as plants do, the scientists plan to produce hydrocarbon “fuel” which could be used in petrol engines to power cars and even aeroplanes.
• The scientists hope to prove the technology in the next two years and to develop a small-scale demonstration system within five. This has been tried before, with little success.Prof Richard Cogdell, believes the greater efficiency this achieves could make the technology a major energy source in decades to come.If used on a mass scale, the technology could supply a large quantity of the world’s fuel needs and be used instead of oil when stock starts to run out, they said.
• Like photosynthesis, the process involves the absorption of carbon dioxide, so burning the fuel would not cause an increase in levels of the gas in the atmosphere.Ultimately, success in this research could allow the development of a sustainable carbon neutral economy arresting the increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere from fossil fuel burning.

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