DISCOVERY OF A SOLAR LIFETIME

Solar energy has been around for a while as an alternative energy source but it has never been viable since the process of storing the energy has been too expensive and inefficient. However, Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy at MIT, along with Matthew Kanan, a postdoctoral fellow in Nocera’s lab, have discovered an easy way that will store the sun’s energy through a water splitting reaction that occurs during photosynthesis. The best part is that their process works at room temperature and in neutral pH water. Potentially, within a decade, homeowners could have solar-powered houses and cars. For the explanation of how it all works, go here.