Scientists take inspiration from plants to power cars
Scientists at the University of Cambridge think they've found the key to environmentally-friendly cars and aeroplanes.They've created a device called a flow reactor.The flow reactor is designed to capture a harmful chemical called carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, then convert it to fuel.It's also solar powered, which means it uses sunlight to work.The clean energy device is inspired by photosynthesis - the process by which plants turn sunlight into food - and it uses no outside power, batteries or cables, other than the Sun.
How does it work?
The scientists on the project - Erwin Reiser and Sayan Kar - told BBC Newsround the device gets to work at night time.They told us the flow reactor is made up of a material which "acts like a sponge to trap carbon dioxide".Another material in the flow reactor then creates fuel "from the trapped carbon dioxide."The team continued: "Air first passes through the carbon dioxide sponge at night, which traps the carbon dioxide. "During the day, sunlight converts the trapped carbon dioxide into fuel using a catalyst."
Why is the invention important?
Most cars and aeroplanes use fossil fuels to run.These fossil fuels, when burned, release a harmful chemical called carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.Over the years, a build up of carbon dioxide and other gases has created a layer around the Earth, trapping heat in our atmosphere.This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect, and is one of the biggest contributors to global warming.Global warming leads to climate change and extreme weather events around the world.
But the team of scientists at Cambridge think their new invention could help put an end to all that.Erwin and Sayan explained that "carbon dioxide can also be useful if we convert it into a fuel instead."They say another benefit of the flow reactor is that it captures carbon dioxide in the air to make fuel, making it even more effective to help combat global warming.The team are now building a bigger version of the device which they hope to start testing in the spring.
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