Outcomes

With our device, which can be easily incorporated into the existing global energy infrastructure, a sustainable, inexpensive, green energy reality could be attained in just a few decades.

Possible Effects on the Environment and Society

"Artificial photosynthesis has many positive aspects, not just limited to its ability to replace the need for fossil fuels and eclipse the fracking industry, but also its effective use of the sun’s natural energy and possible carbon-neutrality. The technology synthesizes readily available fuel. . . in the presence of just three abundant ingredients: sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. Unlike fossil fuels, these solar fuels are sustainable and will yield stability for the environment. Furthermore, the sun provides enough energy to Earth each hour to satisfy global power demands for an entire year. This is to say, rather than exploiting the earth’s dwindling resources, humans have the opportunity to take advantage of the plentiful energy from the sun." ~ from the proposal

Expected Positives

Environment

Decreases reliance on fossil fuels by producing hydrocarbons from clean, abundantly available resources and capturing their carbon emissions; emphasizes nontoxicity and safety in catalytic reactions

Potential Negatives

Carbon-Based Fuels

Still necessitates continuing reliance on a fuel infrastructure that is based on burning carbon-based fuels; would not include carbon-capture or hydrocarbon refinement technology to ease the burden on consumers