In this compelling episode, we sit down with Dr. Singh to discuss the future of sustainable energy via an artificial photosynthetic (AP) system. Dr. Singh guides us through the fascinating concept of artificial photosynthesis, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of capturing CO2 directly from dilute sources such as flue gas and air to produce fuels and chemicals.

Delving into the core of his research, Dr. Singh introduces us to the design and evaluation of an integrated AP system that harnesses sunlight to convert captured CO2 into fuels. His work explores the solar-to-fuel (STF) efficiency of such a system, revealing promising thermodynamic limits ranging from 34% to 40% for a variety of products.

The conversation deepens as Dr. Singh describes two different integration schemes—integrated cascade systems and fully integrated systems. We learn how fully integrated systems can be significantly more efficient, as they bypass the need for additional energy for compression, separation, and recycling of CO2. These insights shed light on the synthesis of higher-electron products, their role in maintaining the robust operation of an integrated AP system, and their compatibility with different carbon capture processes.

Lastly, Dr. Singh proposes a design for a fully integrated AP system that uses a moisture gradient across an anion-exchange membrane to capture CO2 from the air, convert it directly to fuels using water and sunlight, and simultaneously reduce the CO2 level of the surrounding air.

This episode with Dr. Singh is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable energy solutions. His research offers an intriguing glimpse into the future where artificial photosynthesis systems could potentially outperform natural leaves by 14 times in efficiency, representing a quantum leap forward in our quest for sustainability.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b04969 Assessment of Artificial Photosynthetic Systems for Integrated Carbon Capture and Conversion