There was a fascinating article in one of the recent issues (1 May 2004. vol 182 no 2445) of New Scientist on photosynthesis. Apparently, scientists are finally close to completely understanding photosynthesis, which means that we may be .closer to the ability to efficiently make energy from sunlight. Sure, we have solar cells, but solar cells are nowhere close to as efficient as plants are at converting light into energy.

More specifically, what scientists have discovered (at least they think they have discovered) is how plants use light to split water into oxygen, hydrogen, and electrons.

What I missed the first time I read the article, was that this process would gives us hydrogen (the fuel of the future acording to some) from water.

If we develop the ability to convert light to energy as efficently as plants, this makes me much more optimistic about the future of the world–reliance upon polluting fossil fuels could become a thing of the past, except perhaps in the most remote areas. (Problems in places like Antartica during the winter when there is little or no light, and more problems in the desert because of the need for water. Although, of course, hydrogen could be shipped to those places.)

But just imagine! We could the ability to use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy. The possibility for desalination plants to supply water to coastal areas that lack clean water. The possibility of efficient solar power. All from artifical chlorophyll! Everything will be green!

It almost makes me wish that I’d stuck with plant biology.

The other thing this brings to mind is a discussion that I once had with my friend Lenny, that we dropped without exploring it further, which is the climate change consequences of solar power. I live in a small town, that has on its edges, rural wooded areas. What I have noticed for years is that there is a significant temperature difference between the paved city, and outside the paved city. If you have your hand out the window in the summer you can actually feel the temperature drop. All that cement keeping the heat (this shouldn’t be any big surprise to anyone so far).

What made me curious was the idea of a town putting solar panels on the roofs of most of the buildings in the area. What if we developed the ability to make road surfaces out of solar cells? Would this not cool down the temperature of the town? Wouldn’t this change the temperature of a city to something closer to that of a wooded area?

It’s possible I’m missing something, and if so, please point it out. But it’s an interesting idea.