Breakthrough in Plant Research

Plants may hold the key to the world’s energy problems.

Scientists from Imperial College London have made a breakthrough in discovering how plants derive energy from sunlight by splitting water molecules. Although the process has long been understood, it was a mystery as to how plants performed the crucial reaction of splitting water molecules.

The team has worked out the precise spatial arrangement or structure of the site where the photosynthesis takes place. Now, the scientists just have to unravel the chemical events in splitting the water molecules. Once this has happened it may be possible to create artificial photosynthesis, which is held to be every renewable energy researcher’s dream – to harness sunlight to produce energy rich fuels, cleanly and cheaply.

Researchers estimate it may take up to 10 years to replicate the natural water-splitting chemistry artificially.

Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. May 6, 2004