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Term 3
Science Ace
Current photosynthetic
technology
Updated 2011
Copyright Ng Wei Kai (1i1 16)
Abstract
Have you ever wondered what is being
done to save this earth from global
warming. Through this project, I will be
introducing you to two forms of
photosynthetic technology which are
currently being researched on and their
potential uses.
Photosynthetic
technology #1
Hydrogen from algae
Hydrogen as a fuel
 Hydrogen
is the simplest and most
abundant element in the universe. In fact,
a hydrogen atom consists of only one
proton and one electron.
 Hydrogen
is high in energy but burning it
produces almost zero pollution, making it
a viable alternative source of fuel
How hydrogen fuel works?
A
fuel cell combines hydrogen and
oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and
water for the vehicle or machine.
 The
fuel cell converts the energy
produced into usable electric power. It
will produce electricity as long as fuel
hydrogen is supplied, never losing its
charge. Pure water is released as a clean
by-product.
Hydrogen fuel
Singapore’s first hybrid
fuel bus
Hydrogen fuel
At work
Disadvantages of hydrogen
 hydrogen
does not occur naturally as a
gas on the Earth. It is always combined
with other elements to form new
compounds.
 For
example, water is a combination of
hydrogen and oxygen (H2O).
Separating into hydrogen
 Here
are some ways to obtain hydrogen
by separating compounds into
constituent elements:
 Hydrogen
can be separated from
hydrocarbons via reforming.
 Water
can be separated into hydrogen
and oxygen via electrolysis.
How this relates to my project?
 So,
how does the use of hydrogen as a
fuel relate to my project of photosynthetic
technology.
 Firstly,
the methods of obtaining hydrogen
stated in the previous page are not
environmentally friendly.
 Therefore,
scientists have come up with a
new way to obtain the element…
Hydrogen from algae
 Researchers
at the University of California
found out that depriving algae of sulphur
hinders oxygen flow and in turn increases
its natural H2 production.
 Using
a bioreactor comprised of a
network of sealed tubes for cultivating
algae and extracting pure H2, the gas
could be produced without much
environmental pollution.
Pictures of algae
Feasibility of the idea
 Using
this method, hydrogen could be
$0.31 per kilowatt-hour.
 However,
obtaining hydrogen via
reforming costs only $0.05 per kilowatthour.
 Therefore,
researchers will have to modify
their idea to improve efficiency and
reduce costs.
Advantages of idea

This discovery will enable the clean and costeffective production of hydrogen gas for use
as an alternative fuel source.
Let’s proceed to the next
photosynthetic technology…
Photosynthetic
technology #2
Animals which photosynthesize
Photosynthesis in plants
I
am sure that most of us here know that
plants have the amazing ability to
photosynthesize to make food.
 It
is also known that animals cannot
photosynthesize.
 However,
researchers have made a
discovery which will stun everyone…
Cyanobacteria
 The
researchers focused on
cyanobacteria, a microbe responsible for
almost 50% of the earth's photosynthetic
ability.
 They
aimed to harness the organisms'
photosynthetic powers by engineering
them to generate fuel.
What they did
 In
an experiment, researchers injected
fluorescently labelled cyanobacteria into
zebra fish embryos…
Why was the Zebrafish used?
*Additional
 The zebrafish, unlike other ordinary fishes,
has a transparent body so it is easy to
observe during development, resulting in
it becoming an important vertebrate
model organism in scientific research.
In the end…
 Later
on, the fishes survived and grew, as
did the cyanobacteria living inside their
cells. The fish tolerated the cyanobacteria
very well!
 you
can see the cyanobacteria living
inside the embryos in the video here:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/
bcpid42529855001?bctid=82893472001
Pictures of zebrafish
Before
After
Later on…
 Unfortunately,
the cyanobacteria could
not generate enough energy to sustain
the embryos.

Researchers have to work on methods to
increase the cyanobacteria production
to make the idea feasible.
Significance of discovery
 The
very fact that fish and bacteria
survived as one does not mean that
animals will be able to photosynthesize
anytime soon.
 Even
so this discovery was a giant leap for
mankind in terms of genetic engineering.
Advantages of idea
 Having
animals which have the ability to
photosynthesize will release significant
amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere,
slowing down the rate of global warming.
 Animals
can make their own food so they
will not have to be fed.
Conclusion
Apart from the two forms of photosynthetic
technology I have mentioned, mankind are
also exploring new possibilities to help keep
the earth green. I will be looking forward to
newer and more exciting ideas in the
future.
Bibliography
 http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/
editors/25139/
 http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2
010-05/injection-cyanobacteria-makeszebrafish-embryos-photosynthetic-sort
 http://techtransfer.universityofcalifornia.e
du/NCD/18657.html