found out a guy at harvard invented a bionic leaf. he’s got a big lab full of machines and lasers and he made an artificial leaf. hey professor are you stupid or something
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"Bionic leaf" is just marketing speak and shouldn't be taken literally. The goal of the work is to use solar energy to generate hydrogen, which can be used as fuel without generating greenhouse gases.
Full disclosure--I worked in Dan's lab for a few years as a postdoc.
The inventor of tissue culture, one of the most important scientific tools available today, was trying to solve the riddle of whether nerves grew from the hands to the spine or from the spine to hands. He was mercilessly ridiculed for asking a stupid question. Pure science often looks ridiculous.
Usually, the research team does not benefit monetarily from their research. It's usually the intellectual property of the university or company. My father developed crucible steel alloys that extended the track life of Allied tanks in WWII. He never saw one red cent beyond his civil service salary.
Here is a link to the good doctor and his research. If he is able to leverage his artificial leaf technology to produce cost effective Hydrogen fuel, he will literally save the planet. I hope he becomes the richest man in the world. He would deserve it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_G._Nocera
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Full disclosure--I worked in Dan's lab for a few years as a postdoc.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_G._Nocera