Artificial Photosynthesis

louis · 2021-08-06 15:10:11

Overview of where we are on Artificial Photosynthesis, which seems focused on splitting water with sunlight and a chemical catalyst, to create green hydrogen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ4sa50H5V8

AP is a promising technology, and one that might be more relevant to Mars than iron-air batteries.

One gets the feeling AP is due a breakthrough. There doesn't seem to be any major roadblock in terms of physics.

tahanson43206 · 2024-03-04 08:00:46

Amazingly enough, Louis created this topic some years ago, and it has been sitting unanswered ...

While Louis was looking at an idea that has nothing to do with food production, I'm hoping that kbd512 and Calliban can/will develop their conversation about artificial photosynthesis for product of food in this topicl.

(th)

Mars_B4_Moon · 2024-03-04 08:27:22

missed this thread, Louis explored many interesting ideas

and also Artificially made Sunlight can come in many forms

Pictures: Mirror Beams Light to Norwegian Town in Winter for First Time
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/scie … s-sunlight
Thanks to new big mirrors called heliostats, the town of Rjukan, Norway, west of Oslo, is getting sunlight beamed down to the square from surrounding mountains.

to try exactly mimic a chemical process that copies the natural process of photosynthesis to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen seems to be energy expensive for now, organisms are able to collect about 50% of incident solar radiation the synth man made stuff with catalyst(s) and machine and metal plastic construct in labs is 4 - 6% efficient at best I think but not sure, a lot of electro chemical waste in splitting and using energy in what nature itself does easily and naturally.

I'm not sure on the latest developments, maybe science has improved in recent months and years.

Last edited by Mars_B4_Moon (2024-03-04 08:34:45)

Calliban · 2024-03-04 08:30:04

Here is the Science Daily article on the use of Acetate for food production.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 … 122624.htm

They are talking about using solar power to produce electricity, which is then used to chemically manufacture acetic acid. The acetic acid then feeds simple plants, fungi and yeast. They claim that this is up to 18x more efficient than photosynthesis. Considering that a PV panel is only 20 - 30% efficient, that is impressive indeed. It suggests an electricity-calorie efficiency that is well into double figures. But any electricity source could be used. The average human requires 10MJ (~3kWh) of food energy per day. If indeed we can convert electricity into food with high efficiency, then a 1000MWe nuclear reactor could feed at least 1 million people, probably closer to 3 million if these efficiency figures are right.

If this works out, we coukd produce all of the food we need in very compact facilities on Mars. No need for acres of greenhouses. It also reduces considerably the insane amounts of power we were expecting to need to live on Mars. Most of this power was on the assumption that food plants were going to be grown under LED lights or in nuclear heated greenhouses. If we side step that issue, power requirements, though still large by Earth standards, begin to look more achievable.

Last edited by Calliban (2024-03-04 08:34:29)

Void · 2024-03-04 11:45:01

It is not required that this could be done in an ice covered reservoir, but obviously methods like that could have advantages.

This would look very uninviting to many people, but consider an upgrade of it:

You could put a nested container in the water and heat that up to be very comfortable.
I do agree that nuclear has its advantages over solar. We will want to develop something that can be somewhat universal, in the solar system and beyond.

For Mars, also we may be able to have tunnels and vaults in the rock that connect to this sort of thing.

I hope that they can find a way to promote chemosynthesis in vascular plants, not just Algae, Yeast, and Mushrooms.
I think that for vascular plants it would be good if say 95% of the energy to grow were chemical and 5% as light from LEDs or the equivalent.

But it may be possible to use things like Algae, Yeast, and Mushrooms, to foster other life forms such as aquatic life.
Certain creatures make shells and those could be valuable materials.

Such a largely aquatic biome might be the first one that could be created on many worlds, and of course that includes Mars. As a biome it would be dependent on the actions of humans and machines, but it would be a proper step in ther right direction, I believe.

Done

Last edited by Void (2024-03-04 11:59:47)

tahanson43206 · 2024-03-04 12:35:15

The article cited by Calliban in #4 is based upon original work cited here:

MLA
APA
Chicago
University of California - Riverside. "Artificial photosynthesis can produce food without sunshine."
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 June 2022.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220623122624.htm

I'm hoping our members will follow this work and report on future developments.

here is a forward looking excerpt:

The research, published in Nature Food, uses a two-step electrocatalytic process to convert carbon dioxide, electricity, and water into acetate, the form of the main component of vinegar. Food-producing organisms then consume acetate in the dark to grow. Combined with solar panels to generate the electricity to power the electrocatalysis, this hybrid organic-inorganic system could increase the conversion efficiency of sunlight into food, up to 18 times more efficient for some foods.

It appears there is a great deal of work yet to be done before this idea becomes practical. The report includes mention of breeding selected plants to use acetate in their normal growing process with sunlight or LED lighting. In other words, this might find application in the existing food industry as a way of cultivating marginal land by providing supplemental resources to existing plants.

(th)

Calliban · 2024-03-05 05:12:50

I am surprised that this topic has not recieved more interest. To clarify what this research actually means if it can be scaled up: We would no longer need 'land' to produce food.

Using acetate as an energy source for plant, algae, yeast and fungi growth, appears to allow the efficient conversion of electrical energy into calories. Instead of needing hundreds of thousands of acres of greenhouses to produce food for a city of 1 million people, say, we instead have a compact factory unit powered by a nuclear reactor. Food production was the single biggest challenge standing in the way of Mars colonisation, because the space requirements of plants producing calories via photosynthesis are so high. But using the artificial photosynthesis route obviates that problem entirely. It allows the entire Martian settlement to be located underground without need for country sized surface greenhouses. In addition to solving all future food problems for Earth and Mars, this development could allow colonisation of practically every other part of the solar system. It dramatically simplifies human life support requirements.

Original reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-022-00530-x

From the article, the authors estimate that using solar PV to generate electricity, sunlight can be converted into calories at 4% efficiency. Given the assumed efficiency of PV in this scenario, that equates to an 18% efficiency of conversion of electricity into calories. The average human needs 2000 Calories (2.324 kWh) of food per day. Assuming an 18% conversion of electricity into food energy, a 1000MWe nuclear reactor could feed 1,858,000 people. This suggests that a modest sized nuclear reactor could produce all of the food needed for a city of 1 million people on Mars.

Last edited by Calliban (2024-03-05 07:09:41)

tahanson43206 · 2024-03-05 07:22:12

For Calliban re #7

Thanks for keeping this topic going....

Would a new dedicated topic be a better bet for development of this subject?

Each of us should be able to set up a small test growing facility at our respective homes.

My guess is there is a lot we (humans) don't know about the practicality of this idea.

Please investigate what it would take to set up a small test facility. Is acetate commercially available?

Are there any risks associated with the material?

It is soon to be spring in the Northern hemisphere on Earth.

Is acetate worth considering as a plant food for plants in low light locations, such as the north side of homes where sunlight is indirect for much of the year?

(th)

tahanson43206 · 2025-02-04 10:16:09

This post is about research to achieve artificial photosynthesis to make complex hydrocarbon chains....

https://www.yahoo.com/news/copper-flowe … 50013.html

ethylene shows up here, by coincidence with the Tiangong research reported in another topic.

Interesting Engineering
Copper flowers with solar leaves mimic photosynthesis to turn sunlight into fuel
Kapil Kajal
Mon, February 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM EST3 min read
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of California, Berkeley, have developed an innovative system that uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into complex hydrocarbons.
This breakthrough could lead to cleaner energy production and more sustainable manufacturing processes.
Their approach combines a highly efficient solar cell made from a material known as perovskite with tiny copper catalysts dubbed “nano-flowers.”
Copper flowers with solar leaves
Traditional methods of converting CO₂ primarily yield single-carbon molecules.
However, this new technology can generate more complex hydrocarbons, such as ethane and ethylene, two crucial components for liquid fuels, plastics, and other chemicals.
The study, published in Nature Catalysis, highlights a significant step forward in seeking sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
Most hydrocarbons available today are derived from fossil sources, contributing to environmental challenges.
The Cambridge-Berkeley team, however, has developed a system that produces hydrocarbons using only CO₂, water, and glycerol—a common organic material—without releasing additional carbon emissions.
This marks a distinct advance in the search for clean chemical production methods.
The researchers took inspiration from the natural process of photosynthesis, where plants convert sunlight into energy.
"Our goal was to advance beyond just basic CO₂ reduction and create more complex hydrocarbons, which requires a significant amount of energy," explained Dr. Virgil Andrei from the Cambridge Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, the study's lead author.
The team integrated the perovskite light absorber with the copper nano-flowers to achieve their results, transforming CO₂ into more intricate hydrocarbons.
Jalopnik
They also incorporated silicon nanowire electrodes that effectively oxidize glycerol instead of splitting water, a less efficient method.
This combination resulted in a system that yields hydrocarbons around 200 times more efficiently than previous models.
Turning sunlight into fuel
In addition to improving CO₂ reduction, this reaction generates valuable byproducts such as glycerate, lactate, and formate—chemicals useful in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and various chemical syntheses.
“We have shown that glycerol, which is often seen as waste, can actually enhance reaction rates,” added Dr. Andrei. “This opens up opportunities for applying our technology to various chemical processes beyond merely converting waste.”
Despite achieving a selectivity rate of around 10% in converting CO₂ to hydrocarbons, the research team is optimistic about refining their catalysts to enhance this efficiency.
They envision expanding their platform to accommodate even more complex organic reactions, which could lead to groundbreaking developments in sustainable chemical production.
"This project illustrates the power of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge and practical applications," Dr. Andrei noted.
The collaboration between researchers at Cambridge and Berkeley has the potential to reshape how fuels and essential chemical compounds are produced in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.
Support for the research stemmed from several sources, including the Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability, St John’s College, the US Department of Energy, the European Research Council, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
As scientists continue to refine this innovative technology, it could play a crucial role in enabling a transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, marking a significant milestone in efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainability in industrial processes.

(th)

tahanson43206 · 2025-03-15 13:06:41

Interesting Engineering came up with another report on research to provide artificial photosynthesis. This time the work involves stacking molecules in an attempt to mimic or recreate the process by which chlorophyl captures photons and pulls electrons from water.

https://interestingengineering.com/scie … nts-energy

Scientists recreate plants’ energy-capturing ability in artificial photosynthesis
The first step involves capturing sunlight using chlorophyll.
Updated: Mar 14, 2025 05:44 AM EST
Photo of the Author Tejasri Gururaj
Tejasri Gururaj
a day ago
0
Scientists recreate plants’ energy-capturing ability in artificial photosynthesis
Plants use photosynthesis to produce useful energy. (Representational image)
megakunstfoto/iStock
Photosynthesis refers to the process by which plants convert sunlight into usable energy. The process not only produces energy, but also cleans out the atmosphere by releasing oxygen.
Now, researchers from the Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg in Germany and Yonsei University in Korea have artificially mimicked a portion of the photosynthesis process.
Artificial photosynthesis can harness nature’s approach to energy conversion and improve it for human needs, such as addressing environmental challenges.

It offers a new path for tackling problems like carbon management and sustainable energy using abundant resources, like water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.
The researchers have managed to recreate the first step of the photosynthesis process—the capture and transfer of light energy.
How photosynthesis works
In simple terms, plants take carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using sunlight and chlorophyll, which is the green pigment in plant cells, these ingredients are transformed into sugar molecules, which is their food, and oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere.
With multiple layers of complexity, it is a process defined by a series of advanced steps.
The first step involves capturing sunlight using chlorophyll, which acts like solar panels inside plant cells. When sunlight hits these chlorophyll molecules, the electrons in the molecules gain energy or become energized.
With this extra energy, the electrons leave the chlorophyll molecule and begin moving through the plant’s machinery.
To replace these energized electrons, electrons from water molecules are pulled. This splits water molecules into oxygen, which is released into the air, and hydrogen components.
The electrons produced from sunlight are then used to convert the carbon dioxide from the air to sugar molecules—their primary food source.
Recreating the first step
The researchers mimicked the first step of the process—energizing electrons and their subsequent transport.
A stack of four artificial dye molecules was synthesized from perylene bisimide, a synthetic dye compound. These molecules, with their impressive stability under light exposure, high absorption capabilities, and strong electron affinity, make them an ideal choice for this purpose.
The four dye molecules are stacked to be structurally similar to the photosynthetic setup in plants. This means that light hitting the structure at one end triggers the process of electron energization and separation.

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These electrons move along the structure to reach the other end. This structure functions as a microscopic energy transfer system, enabling seamless and efficient energy transfer, similar to plants.

“We can specifically trigger the charge transport in this structure with light and have analyzed it in detail. It is efficient and fast. This is an important step towards the development of artificial photosynthesis,” said co-author student Leander Ernst from JMU in a press release.
Their next goal is to expand the system, adding more components to fabricate a supramolecular wire that captures and transfers light energy efficiently over greater distances. This next step is important for developing novel photofunctional materials for artificial photosynthesis.
The study is published in Nature Chemistry.

If a NewMars member has time to study the report, and comment, I'd appreciate third party evaluation. Plants developed photosynthesis for their own needs, or perhaps accidental combinations of molecules were favorably selected, but in any case, nature's process for making sugar from sunlight is under intense study, to see if more efficient processes might be possible.

(th)

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#1 2021-08-06 15:10:11

Artificial Photosynthesis

#2 2024-03-04 08:00:46

Re: Artificial Photosynthesis

#3 2024-03-04 08:27:22

Re: Artificial Photosynthesis

#4 2024-03-04 08:30:04

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#5 2024-03-04 11:45:01

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#6 2024-03-04 12:35:15

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#7 2024-03-05 05:12:50

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#8 2024-03-05 07:22:12

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#9 2025-02-04 10:16:09

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#10 2025-03-15 13:06:41

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