Re:Indefinite storage of solar power via MIT
by sliverstorm on Monday November 08, 2010 @08:54PM
(#1884947)
So... they've basically invented plants?
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Re:Indefinite storage of solar power via MIT
by rogerclark on Monday November 08, 2010 @09:23PM
(#1885028)
No. Plants are living organisms that require (relatively) complex cell machinery to carry out photosynthesis. This is a single molecule that can be "charged" but does not change its chemical composition.
The mechanisms that plants (and animals) use for chemically storing energy are useful for living things, but aren't all that great for long-term, large-scale energy storage. In some sense, we already use plants like that (biodiesel) and, in general, it sucks.
Re:Indefinite storage of solar power via MIT
by sliverstorm on Monday November 08, 2010 @09:40PM
(#1885070)
> This is a single molecule that can be "charged" but does not change its chemical composition.
Oh, I missed that part. Very important difference, thanks!