Hydrogen From Sunlight Through Photoelectrochemical Cell Developed With Record 14% Efficiency

Solar energy is abundantly available globally, but unfortunately not constantly and not everywhere. One especially interesting solution for storing this energy is artificial photosynthesis. This is what every leaf can do, namely converting sunlight to chemical energy. That can take place with artificial systems based on semiconductors as well. These use the electrical power that sunlight creates in individual semiconductor components to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. Hydrogen possesses very high energy density, can be employed in many ways and could replace fossil fuels. In addition, no carbon dioxide harmful to the climate is released from hydrogen during combustion, instead only water. Until now, manufacturing of solar hydrogen at the industrial level has failed due to the costs, however. This is because the efficiency of artificial photosynthesis, i.e. the energy content of the hydrogen compared to that of sunlight, has simply been too low to produce hydrogen from the sun economically.

Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of generating electricity by converting solar radiation (sunlight) into direct current electricity by using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. These semiconductors are also called solar panels and are composed of a group of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. Materials presently used for photovoltaics include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide/sulfide. Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacturing of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced considerably in recent years.

Combining the two processes a photoelectrochemical cell can be produced that will harness sunlight to generate chemical fuel, specifically by splitting water to generate hydrogen.

Research Suggest Link Between Daytime Sleepiness and Low Vitamin D Levels

A new study suggests that there is a link between excessive daytime sleepiness and low levels of vitamin D in the body.

Vitamin D is a vitamin that is primarily sourced from exposure to sunlight. Few food contains vitamin D except for fish, cereal, and dairy products such as cheese, butter, and milk.

The body naturally produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the Sun's ultraviolet rays whihc triggers the synthesis of vitamin D. This process is endrogenous which means that the source is produced from within the body.

Vitamin D is primarily associated with bone development. It used by the body for calcium absorption and maintenance to enable a normal mineralization of the bone and to avoid hypocalcemic tetany. This is a disease caused by low calcium levels in the blood and causes convulsions, muscle spasms and irregular heart rhythms.

Vitamin D is also needed for healthy bone growth and maintenance. Without this vitamin, the bones may go brittle, thin, or misshapen. Most bone conditions caused by a deficiency of vitamin D can be corrected through vitamin D supplements.

Study Show No Connection Between Vitamin D Levels and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Such As The Common Cold

Vitamin D is a vitamin that can be synthesized (created) by the body through exposure to sunlight. It helps regulate the calcium and phosphate levels in the body. It also helps keeps bones and teeth healthy.

Despite it being available through sunlight, studies has shown that people still suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Lack of vitamin D can lead to diseases such as rickets, osteomalacia, and bone deformities.

Vitamin D deficiency is said to occur because of the promoted use of sunscreen which blocks the levels of sunlight needed by the body to create the vitamin. Changing lifestyles where people tend to stay indoors more is also a factor.

Some countries such as Australia have already encouraged people to get the right amount of sunshine. According to Dr. Michael Holick, who is a well known specialist on vitamin D, suggests a daily 5 to 15 minute exposure to sunlight between 9am to 3pm is optimal. Care must be taken since overexposure to sunlight is also dangerous to the body.

According to Dr. Holick, treatments for diseases such as psoriasis, Parkinson's and cancer can benefit from having vitamin D at optimum levels. Also, because of the amount of sunlight that is reduced during winter which results in lowered production of vitamin D in the body, it was believed that vitamin D may be a factor in upper respiratory tract infections like the common cold.

Aside from sunlight, Vitamin D is also present in some foods such as oily fish (salmon), eggs, breakfast cereals, and milk.

The featured video below is highly recommended to understand more about vitamin D and its importance to the body.

Vitamin D supplementation does not reduce rate or severity of colds

Although some data have suggested a possible inverse association between serum vitamin D levels and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (colds), participants in a randomized controlled trial who received a monthly dose of 100,000 IUs of vitamin D3 did not have a significantly reduced incidence or severity of colds, according to a study in the October 3 issue of JAMA.

The association of vitamin D insufficiency and susceptibility to viral respiratory tract infections has been unclear, according to background information in the article.