Scientists create artificial plant that could spell the end of fossil fuels


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A new device which mimics the ability of plants to photosynthesise could hasten the transition away from fossil fuels, say the Cambridge scientists who created it.

The test unit converts light, carbon dioxide and water into a clean and stable fuel that can either be used directly or converted into hydrogen.

It operates wirelessly and without an external power source, and despite being only three inches in size, it can be scaled up for use on an industrial level akin to solar farms, according to the researchers.

The device converts light, carbon dioxide and water into a clean and stable fuel that can either be used directly or converted into hydrogen. University of Cambridge
The device converts light, carbon dioxide and water into a clean and stable fuel that can either be used directly or converted into hydrogen. University of Cambridge

The quest to replicate photosynthesis has long been a challenge for science. The problem has been "converting as much of the sunlight as possible into the fuel you want, rather than be left with a lot of waste", said Dr Qian Wang of Cambridge's Department of Chemistry and lead scientist on the project.

Producing a scalable renewable fuel that can be easily stored and transported has also proved an intractable problem.

In 2019, Reisner Lab developed a solar reactor based on an artificial leaf design. It works similarly to the 2020 device from Cambridge by converting sunlight into clean fuel. However, a reliance on solar cell components means it is less scalable. The new test unit uses photosheet technology: sheets made up of semiconductor powders which can be prepared in large quantities, easily and cost-effectively.

“We were surprised how well it worked in terms of its selectivity – it produced almost no by-products,” said Dr Wang. “Sometimes things don’t work as well as you expected but this was a rare case where it actually worked better.”

Efficiencies still need to be improved before any commercial deployment can be considered. The researchers are now working to optimise further the system and improve efficiency. Additionally, they are exploring other catalysts for using on the device to get different solar fuels.

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Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

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6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m

7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m

7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m

8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m

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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

RESULTS
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Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

How it works

Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.

Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.

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Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.

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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5