Dr. Daniel Nocera: A new method of storing solar energy

In a major breakthrough, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered an inexpensive way to store solar energy, mimicking photosynthesis. The paper, published in the July 2008 edition of the journal Science, describes a revolutionary technique to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar power. Dr. Daniel Nocera of MIT, the lead author of the paper, believes his team's discovery will open the door for the large scale use of domestic solar power.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar
• energy
• hydrogen
• MIT
• Nocera
• photovoltaic
• environment

[adastra123]

Probably one of the most honest and optimistic videos I have seen.

MIT have some of the most brilliant minds in the world. I would have faith in this technology even with all the problems of conversion.

Thanks for giving me some realistic hope of the future.

[NoSleeves4Ever]

Two questions I can't find the answers to; what efficiencies can be expected, and is this useful for water desalinization? It seems a extremely useful technology, but the storage amount (volume of water to watt hour ratio) and operating voltage are important factors to consider that have not been discussed.

[Bjowolf2]

@josefinoperez

Maybe nickel - in a special configuration - , which doesn't cost very much to produce - unlike platin or paladium ;-) At least researchers over here (Denmark) have recently had great results with that material.

Finally a light at then end of the tunnel :-)

[uldulublujumtuzusnus]

Rossi_y_Focardi

rare earth

[uldulublujumtuzusnus]

come on man! f## arabia saudi.

[nescius2]

@johnnylance actually you don’t need clear water, there is a longer video explaining the process more thoroughly

[medicialberto]

Wow!

[catatonicable]

People who invent these things seem to suddenly go missing.uuumm.?

[rickharbour1]

you diddnt figure it out that was patented in early 1900 ..people say then why have it been used intill now umm gas is a 1trillion dollar a year bussiness electrcity is a 1 trillion doallar a year business thats why

[johnnylance]

You need pure water and that's a problem...

[ZacharyStowe]

it only takes 5 liters of water and no deep cycle batteries are a very bad idea.

i was just at a 2 hour lecture that this man put through and it was amazing.

he went through all of the problems u guys are talking about and explained them very efficiently