Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis: Solar Power as an Energy Source - Hardcover

Razeghifard, Reza

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1118160061 ISBN 13: 9781118160060

Publisher: Wiley, 2013

Synopsis

This technical book explores current and future applications of solar power as an unlimited source of energy that earth receives every day. Photosynthetic organisms have learned to utilize this abundant source of energy by converting it into high-energy biochemical compounds. Inspired by the efficient conversion of solar energy into an electron flow, attempts have been made to construct artificial photosynthetic systems capable of establishing a charge separation state for generating electricity or driving chemical reactions. Another important aspect of photosynthesis is the CO2 fixation and the production of high energy compounds. Photosynthesis can produce biomass using solar energy while reducing the CO2 level in air. Biomass can be converted into biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol. Under certain conditions, photosynthetic organisms can also produce hydrogen gas which is one of the cleanest sources of energy.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Lays the foundation for the development of sustainable, economically feasible energy production

The continued use of fossil fuels has led to a global environmental crisis of tremendous proportions, primarily by increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Moreover, as more and more fossil fuel sources become depleted, the world is facing a growing energy crisis. Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis explains why photosynthesis may be the solution to both the environmental crisis and the energy crisis, describing what we know about the complex process of photosynthesis and how it can be used to produce clean renewable energy.

This book clearly demonstrates that clean biofuels can be produced by both natural and artificial photosynthetic systems. Moreover, the authors explain how solar energy can be used to produce biofuels that are not only environmentally safe, but also economically feasible, opening the door to the mass production of cost-effective biofuels.

Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis begins with an overview of solar energy and then explores a variety of topics to help readers better understand photosynthesis and harness it to produce energy, including:

• Solar energy utilization by photosystem II, an optimized nanoscale machine for efficient light-induced water splitting
• Systems capable of converting solar energy into an electron flow
• Genetic and metabolic engineering of microalgae for biohydrogen production
• Design and operation of industrial cultivation systems for microalgae mass production
• Opportunities for the production of fuels and chemicals from biomass

By reviewing what we currently know and what we currently can do, Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis sets the stage for continued global research on the development of renewable energy sources based on photosynthesis.

About the Author:

REZA RAZEGHIFARD is an associate professor of biochemistry at Nova Southeastern University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1118160061
• ISBN 13: 9781118160060
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 488