Artificial photosynthesis could turn plant power into power plants

Michael Wasielewski, a professor of chemistry at Northwestern University and his team of graduate students are advancing the study of artificial photosynthesis, so green power might someday come from the greenest influence in sight.

Wasielewski’s laboratory is searching for the best way to mimic the system plants use to get energy from sunlight. The puzzle is to simplify and re-engineer the complicated chemical processes that turn sunlight and water into life-sustaining energy.

Artificial photosynthesis could in theory produce either pure electricity or hydrogen.