After years of work, an MIT scientist has perfected a cheap way to convert and store clean energy using sunlight and water -- much as a plant does during photosynthesis. According to Fast Company, professor Daniel Nocera used solar power captured during the day to split a water molecule into its basic elements -- oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen gas is stored in a fuel cell, which is used to provide energy at night. Although splitting a water molecule isn't revolutionary, this system's ability to split any type of water -- even waste water or drinking water -- is what makes Nocera's system noteworthy. He recently said, "We have the capability to power a household with just two bottles of water from any source."Nocera's company, Sun Catalytix, has received a multi-million dollar investment from India's Tata group, and in just a little more than a year, the energy system could, according to Business Standard, become available to consumers for as cheap as $20.
Home Power Plant Uses Sun and Waste Water, Could Cost $20 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://www.switched.com/2010/11/30/daniel-nocera-solar-power-waste-water-sun-catalytix/
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