Video clip – Generation of clean fuels

This video clip from the BBC TV series Botany: A Blooming History looks at scientists at the University of Glasgow, whose research focuses on trying to replicate the process of photosynthesis in the laboratory.

Scientists at the University of Glasgow are trying to replicate the process of photosynthesis in the laboratory. Hydrogen and oxygen could be used as clean fuels of the future. It is also hoped that in the future it will be possible to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic fuels.

This can be used to introduce the idea of using natural processes as the basis for scientific innovation (biomimetics). It is also a good way to look at the need for ways to reduce the impact of global warming, and to produce clean fuels. It can be used as a link between Biology and chemistry, to look at molecular structure of water and how the water molecule can be broken down. At a higher level, it can be used to look at the light dependent reactions and photolysis in particular.