Advanced Photonics Technology Development Group, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, Wako, Saitama, Japan.
Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, The University of Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Plant Signal Behav. 2020 Mar 3;15(3):1723946. doi: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1723946. Epub 2020 Feb 12.
Global warming caused by anthropogenic activity is one of the serious problems today. In order to suppress the global warming, the shift from fossil fuel-based energy source to the nature-oriented sustainable energy is encouraged. In this concept paper, possible biomimetic engineering approach inspired by the efficient and sustainable natural energy utilization in living plants is demonstrated. The focal features in plants include (1) the light-harvesting and energy condensing apparatus, (2) water splitting O evolving apparatus, (3) storage of energy-related chemicals, and (4) reversal conversion of storage into the "energy in use" by meeting the demands. Demonstration of solar-driven chemical energy conversion was performed using a system consisted of (i) photovoltaic power-generating device, (ii) an electrochemical unit converting electric power into chemical energy, (iii) storage of H, and (iv) polymer electrolyte cells converting H back to electricity by meeting the demands on site. The present concept paper presenting a technical perspective based on the plant-inspired knowledge (conceptual similarity between natural photosynthesis and solar-to-H conversion) is a fruit of interdisciplinary collaboration between the team of chemical energy conversion renown for the world highest record of solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency (24.4%, as of 2015) and a group of plant biologists.
人为活动引起的全球变暖是当今的严重问题之一。为了抑制全球变暖,鼓励从基于化石燃料的能源向面向自然的可持续能源转变。在本概念论文中,展示了受植物中高效和可持续的自然能量利用启发的可能的仿生工程方法。植物中的焦点特征包括:(1) 光捕获和能量浓缩装置;(2) 水分解 O 进化装置;(3) 与能量相关的化学物质的储存;以及 (4) 通过满足需求将储存转化为“正在使用的能量”。使用由(i)光伏发电器、(ii)将电能转化为化学能的电化学单元、(iii)H 的储存和(iv)聚合物电解质电池组成的系统,演示了太阳能驱动的化学能转换。通过满足现场对 H 的需求,将 H 转化回电能。本概念论文基于植物启发的知识(自然光合作用和太阳能到 H 转换之间的概念相似性)提出了技术观点,是化学能转换领域的一个团队(截至 2015 年,太阳能到氢的转换效率创下了 24.4%的世界最高纪录)和植物生物学家团队之间跨学科合作的成果。