#  Artificial Leaf Named a 2017 Breakthrough Technology 

 





August 08, 2017

 

 

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 The artificial leaf, an innovation from Patterson Rockwood Professor of Energy **Daniel Nocera** and Elliot T. and Onie H. Adams Professor of Biochemistry and Systems Biology **Pamela Silver**, promises to transform the world of energy technology. In fact, [Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/liquid-fuels-from-sunshine/) and the World Economic Forum have named the artificial leaf one of the breakthrough technologies of 2017, a confirmation of the project's widespread potential impact.

 Nocera and Silver's artificial leaf replicates photosynthesis, the process through which a leaf converts carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into energy. But, their artificial leaf improves upon nature's model. For one, it converts excess carbon dioxide from our atmosphere into usable energy. A plant, at its peak efficiency, converts 1% of sunlight into food. When using pure carbon dioxide, Nocera and Silver managed to achieve an efficiency of 10%. In addition, the energy their leaf generates can be stored for later use. And finally, when Nocera replaced the bacterium used in the artificial leaf with another, it produced nitrogen-based fertilizer, a valuable by-product for users in nutrient-deficient climates.

 With its eco-friendly, transportable, and economical design, the artificial leaf easily earns its status as a 2017 breakthrough technology.

 **[Read the Article from Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/liquid-fuels-from-sunshine/)** "**Artificial Leaf Turns Carbon Dioxide Into Liquid Fuel**," by Javier Garcia Martinez, June 26, 2017 ###  Learn more about the Artificial Leaf

 "[Artificial leaves hold the promise of a clean energy future](https://www.ft.com/content/c281b572-617b-11e7-8814-0ac7eb84e5f1)," **The Financial Times**, July 5, 2017

 "[Genetically engineered microbes make their own fertilizer, could feed the world’s poorest](http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/04/genetically-engineered-microbes-make-their-own-fertilizer-could-feed-world-s-poorest)," **Science**, April 4, 2017

###    ![Nocera's artificial leaf named a breakthrough technology of 2017](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/chemistry/files/artificial_leaf_scientific_american_aug_2017.png?itok=6S1Qf4Yr) 

 



###  More about Professor Nocera

 [Lab Website](http://nocera.harvard.edu/Home)

 [Recent Publications](http://nocera.harvard.edu/Publications2017)



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Nocera ](/news-and-events-faculty/nocera)
- [ Faculty ](/news-event-type/faculty)
- [ Research ](/news-event-type/research)
 
 

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