"The key to this breakthrough is Nocera’s recent discovery of several powerful new, inexpensive catalysts, made of nickel and cobalt, that are capable of efficiently splitting water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen, under simple conditions. Right now, Nocera’s leaf is about 10 times more efficient at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural leaf."
The 'leaf' is a silcon wafer around the size of a playing card, and floats in a pool of water. A catalyst is placed on either side, and as the silicon absorbs sunlight the energy is transferred to the catalysts which split the water into separate molecules of hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen can then be used as a fuel cell to create electricity. This breakthrough allows for a source of cheap clean energy.
