Nanowires key to hydrogen at scale: new R&D

In California, a UC San Diego team of electrical engineers has found that nanowires made from silicon and zinc oxide offer a cheap way to deliver hydrogen fuel on a mass scale.  Using a vertical structure and branches, the vertical structures are better able to grab and absorb light compared to flat surfaces.

This leads to harvesting more sun light, and maximizes hydrogen gas production.  The team is working towards artificial photosynthesis in order to capture CO2 and convert it into hydrocarbon fuel.  The team is also working on finding a zinc oxide replacement because of stability issues that affect the lifetime usage of the nanotree structure.