Solar Energy by Photosynthesis

Abstract

Photosynthesis, both natural and as a model process, is examined as a possible annually renewable resource for both material and energy. The conversion of carbohydrate from cane, beets and other sources through fermentation alcohol to hydrocarbon may soon again become economic in the light of increasing costs of recovery of hydrocarbon from fossil sources and improved fermentation technology. Even the direct photosynthetic production of hydrocarbon from known sources (Hevea, etc.) or newly bred ones seems possible.Finally, more distantly, synthetic systems constructed on the basis of growing knowledge of the photosynthetic processes, may produce both fuel and power.