Sun+Water+Microbes=Fuel

Scientists can use algae to create fuel from sunlight, but that process can be inefficient and expensive.

Derek Lovley of the University of Massachusetts explains a new system for converting sunlight directly into fuel using water.

The sunlight is harvested using solar panels, which create electricity. The electricity is sent to a tank of water and graphite electrodes, which extract the hydrogen molecules from the water. That hydrogen feeds microorganisms that convert it to fuel and discharge carbon dioxide. The overall reaction is just like photosynthesis, but it is at least 100 times more efficient. Engineers are now looking to build a commercial-scale reactor.

The key to the process is filaments on the microorganisms that look like hair. But they are really microbial nanowires, which can conduct electricity.