Episode 5: Artificial Leaf + Hydrogen Boat

One of the reasons we need more trees is because of photosynthesis. This is the process through which plants make their own food, but it’s also how they help us get rid of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It&aposs a vital process, but one of the misconceptions about it is that it&aposs just about plants creating oxygen, which isn&apost the case. It&aposs about plants taking energy from the sun, and storing it chemically. 

Today on the Razor Podcast, Shini goes to see a new technology that takes sunlight and CO2 and creates fuel [01:30]. She speaks to Virgil Andrei from Cambridge University’s department of Chemistry, who explains why this new technology can be a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Shini also spoke to Professor Erwin Reisner who explains the challenges they’re facing when it comes to putting this technology into everyday commercial use [04:52]. 

The maritime industry is one of the major contributors to pollution worldwide, with over 90% of the world’s trade being by sea. In our second story, Emma tells us about her time spent on a hydrogen boat, and why it could be the solution to fixing one of the biggest contributors to global pollution. 

She speaks to the engineer of The Energy Observer -  a boat that is on a six year mission around the world - using only solar, wind, hydrogen and battery power [07:30]. Emma also explains why this boat remains safe even with highly flammable hydrogen on-board [12:00]. She also speaks to the captain of the boat, Victorien Erussard, about what it&aposs like to manoeuvre and maintain the The Energy Observer [13:45].