New solar cell creates hydrogen directly from water

Penn State scientists have created a new type of solar cell that mimics photosynthesis to produce hydrogen gas directly from water.

Unfortunately, the prototype is inefficient, able to use only about 1% of the light energy falling on it for splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen gases. The scientists believe that with some optimization they could get that efficiency up to 10%.

Although still in its infancy, this new technology could eventually make it into cars. That would mean that you would be able to simply pour some water into your H₂-powered vehicle to keep it going.

These solar cells would eliminate the need to build new hydrogen gas stations because they could completely be contained inside a car. This could ease the transition to alternative-fuel vehicles and help us get rid of our dependence on oil.