Chemist aims to reveal new energy source Carl Wamser and his co-researchers look to photosynthesis for an alternative to depletable, fossil-based fuels by Cliff Johnson The problem-Io discover how to imitate the process of photosynthesis in the laboratory on a grand, yet cost-efficient scale, thus revealing a way to generate a clean, abundant source of fuel. "So what?" you say. It's a fair question. But all of us have a considerable slake in the outcome of this new research venture. As an energy-hungry world depletes the earth's remaining fossil-based energy supplies such as ad, natural gas and coal, the prospect of final,y harnessing a new source of clean, useful energy becomes both exciting and essential. " If we could only generate such a fuel from the simple ingredients of water and sunlight, using the artificial membranes we are developing as catalysts. this would have a tremendous impact on the world's dwindling energy resources," muses Carl C. Wamser, associate professor of chemistry at PSU. Wamser is 'headmg the University's new research effort which is funded with one of the largest research grants yet received by PSU, a three-year, $840,857 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's DIvision of Advanced Energy ProJects. In fact, the critical work required to start realizmg Wamser's dream of a new fuel source is well underway in two Oregon cities, thanks to the new, cooperative venture involving research conducted both in the public realm, at PSU, and m the private sedor, through Bend Research, Inc. Deep in thought in his campus laboratory, Wamser's quiet, precise manner masks an inner ambition and problem-solving drive. He is regarded as an international expert on the subject of artificial photosynthesIS which, combined with his considerable analytICal skills, form the qualifications a research detective _ 6 I PSU Perspective, Spring 1986 surely must possess to solve this tricky laboratory mystery. To review, the natural process of photosynthesis is used by chlorophyll-containing cells in green plants to convert light to chemical energy that the plants can use. Oxygen that the plants release during this energy-prooltcing process is, of course, what animals and humans breathe to sustain life, Wamser and his co-researchers are determining how best to imitate natural photosynthesis in a lab setting. This, they hope, will show them how to employ plentiful solar energy to generate the desired fuel-in this case, hydrogen. Once that is accomplished, the researchers must discover a way to make this process happen cheaply, and on a true mass scale, But why are the researchers pursuing their energy goal by exploiting photosynthesis? "We chose to mimic ntltural photosynthesis because this is a process which has been perfected by nature over millions of years, and we're quite willing 10 learn from it" Wamser says with a smile. The heart of the researchers' current problem is found in simple H20, or water. To break water down into its components requires energy, and scientists have long known that electrical energy can be used to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen. Bllt In electrolYSiS, the electrical energy needed to obtain the desired reaction is greater than the energy value of the hydrogen obtained by the process. But what if the needed energy input could come from sunlight instead, Wamser wonders, After all, sunlight arrives daily on the earth in quantities sufficient to meet all of humanity'S current energy needs. Wamser's challenge, then, is to find a way to Carl WamSf'r, associate professor of chemistry, and dssistant SUz;Jnf}{' CIi"k ('78 MS) check the vacuum system used to prepare samples for photochemical studies. harness that energy to generate the chemical reactions needed to split water and create hydrogen cheaply. Wamser has long been convinced that hydrogen represents enormous potential for serving as a true world energy source. "Right now, solar energy is mainly used to generate heat and, to a lesser extent, electricity. But we want to use this solar energy to generate the associates-Raymond Bard and Valerie Anderson; two graduate students in PSU's Environmental Sciences and Resources/Chemistry Ph.D. Program-Suzanne Clark ('78 MS) and Robert Ransdell; and four undergraduate research assistants. In Bend, the SRI researchers have been bUSily preparing the thin-film composite membranes and making the preliminary measurements and "If we could only generate such a fuel from the simple ingredients of water and sunlight. .. this would have a tremendous impact on the world's dwindling energy resources. " hydrogen," he says. "Hydrogen is particularly clean-burning and could be used in most of the ways that nalural gas is currently being used." But before the scientists can hope to perfect this new mass energy source, they must pass through the critical research and development stages. Fortunately for Wamser's research team, highly-qualified collaborators are located in Bend, Ore. Scientists at Bend Research, Inc., including company president, Harold K. lonsdale, are now cooperating with Wamser and his PSU team to perfect experimental, "ght-absorbing membranes which will help coliect solar power and convert it to the desired chemical energy. During the initial lab work performed at PSU, the precursors needed to make these special membranes have been synthesized, and some model compounds designed to verify predictions about the membranes' behavior have been synthesized as well. Invol\fed in this exacting work are two postdoctoral characterizations concerning the membranes. Back at PSU, the first membranes and model compounds are currently being analyzed, with University researchers noting, in particular, their ability to initiate photochemical (light-induced) reduction and oxidation reactions, which might ultimately be coupled to the reduction and oxidation of water. Since these initial test membranes from SRI have only recently arrived at PSU, Wamser is hesitant to announce results, except to note that preliminary mformation looks "very encouraging." Clearly, it is still early going in the research. But the stakes in the truly worldwide competition to successfully harness this potential energy source are growing higher every day. Will the PSU and 8RI researchers be the first to unlock this energy secret which could dramatIcally improve the quality of our lives? look for Oregon's talent to continue meeting this remarkable challenge head·on.
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