Bio-solar leaves as ecological tools to mitigate high levels of carbon dioxide
The biggest challenge of today's society, and specifically the one that has the most advanced nations in industrial matters, is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, hence, many companies globally are considering incorporating new technological schemes to generate their products, in search of mitigating the emission of these types of gases harmful to the health of the planet.
That is why, and with the intention of continuing my thematic line of ecological cut that persecutes to socialize information related to this topic of technologies associated to the environment, in this new delivery, I will share with the friends of Project.HOPE content related to the development of bio-solar leaves able to absorb carbon dioxide.
Fig. 2 Bio-solar leaves absorb as much carbon dioxide and release as much oxygen as a hundred trees would. Author: InduAmbiente, 2020
It is no secret that the high and uncontrolled emission of carbon dioxide has been causing serious environmental problems, mainly since the establishment of the industrial revolution, for example; climatic alterations derived from a greater heat retention within the atmosphere, so it is expected that this type of scientific news will be successful and become an alternative to be used by large industries, which is why a group of researchers from the Imperial School of London, in conjunction with Arborea, developed a "Bio-solar leaves" which consists of a series of panels covered with miniature plants that produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
According to the scientific arguments of the researchers involved, these novel bio-solar leaves will fulfill the same function as the leaf sheets of the plant species, basically purifying the air by means of the photosynthetic process. To fulfill such an undertaking, it is planned to incorporate microalgae and phytoplankton on these artificial panels, in order to induce their growth and vegetative development, which will guarantee the retention of considerable volumes of carbon dioxide.
Fig. 3 The bio-solar leaves represent a great opportunity to artificially produce breathable oxygen. Image of public domain, Author: Step, 2019
This innovative BioSolares leaf system can eliminate carbon dioxide and produce breathable oxygen at a rate equivalent to 100 trees on the surface of a single tree, an aspect of very high potential from the ecological point of view.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CONSULTED:
[1] Purchase R., and Groot H. Biosolar cells: Global artificial photosynthesis needs responsive matrices with quantum coherent kinetic control for high yield. Interface focus: a theme supplement of Journal of the Royal Society interface. 2015; 5: 3. Article: Online access
[2] InduAmbiente. Hojas, Paredes y Tejados. 2020. Article: Online access