Photosynthesis is an important biochemical process for plant organisms, as it converts light energy into chemical energy. Although many mechanisms of this process have been revealed, it seems that there are still quite a few secrets that have not yet been uncovered.
According to a new study published in the journal Nature, photosynthesis can be produced in new ways that could lead to innovative methods of energy production. A team of researchers from various scientific fields, led by the University of Cambridge, has studied the early stages of photosynthesis and discovered new ways to extract energy from this process. This finding may pave the way for the creation of new, clean fuels and renewable energy sources.
The researchers used rapid spectroscopic techniques to study the movement of energy and discovered that chemicals that extract electrons from the molecular structures of photosynthesis do so in early stages and not later, as previously thought. This could make the process of photosynthesis more effective for producing clean fuel from the sun. Moreover, this ability to regulate photosynthesis could make crops more able to withstand intense sunlight. These developments could lead to new ways of producing clean energy and renewable energy sources.
Laura Wei, one of the lead authors of the study from the University’s Department of Biochemistry, now working at the University of Turku in Finland, says that the electrons produced by photosynthesis can be scattered throughout the system, meaning they are accessible. Discovering this pathway is important as it can help to extract more energy from renewable sources.
