Thursday, December 30, 2010

U.S. Scientists Invent Solar Fuel

A group of researchers from the University of Minnesota (USA) began an experiment to transform solar energy into fuel.

To perform the experiment a model solar system was built, that will transform carbon dioxide and water into fuel. The model represents seven lamps with bulbs of 6,500 watts. Its light is concentrated by a reflector at a point 7.5 centimeters in diameter and as a result, the temperature in the reactor may exceed 2,000 degrees Celsius.

When sunlight heats the cerium oxide, which covers installing reflectors, water and carbon dioxide is broken down into hydrogen, which would later be transformed into liquid fuel.

According to investigators, the produced hydrogen may be used in vehicles powered by fuel cells powered by hydrogen.

The experimental setup has little performance for now and takes less than 1% of solar energy. However, scientists say they already know how to build a facility with a throughput of up to 19%.

U.S. Scientists Invent Solar Fuel

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