Solar Nirvana

| Thu Jul. 31, 2008 9:03 PM EDT







For those who want to know how it works…

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A new catalyst produces oxygen gas from water. Another catalyst produces hydrogen gas. The new catalyst is a combination of cobalt metal, phosphate, and an electrode, placed in water. When electricity (from photovoltaic cell, wind turbine, or other source) runs through the electrode, the cobalt and phosphate form a thin film on the electrode and oxygen gas is produced.

Combined with another catalyst like platinum (which can produce hydrogen gas from water) the system duplicates the water-splitting reaction of photosynthesis.

Also good: the catalyst works at room temperature, in neutral pH water, and is easy to set up. "That's why I know this is going to work," says Nocera. "It's so easy to implement."

Well, by George, implement away!

BTW, this study has interesting hybrid parentage between government and philanthropy. May they couple more often.

