€5m for bright minds that turn sunlight into fuel

Researchers and innovators are being offered €5 million (£4.4m) for the best prototype that produces sustainable fuel by combining sunlight, water and carbon from the air. The European Commission’s competition […]

Researchers and innovators are being offered €5 million (£4.4m) for the best prototype that produces sustainable fuel by combining sunlight, water and carbon from the air.

The European Commission’s competition was launched at the One Planet Summit in Paris yesterday.

The applicants will have to build a fully functional, experimental prototype device of a fuel production system, integrating the entire artificial photosynthesis process from light capture to fuel production.

The Commission believes artificial photosynthesis is one of the most promising breakthrough technologies for producing clean energy.

One fully developed, the technology could provide sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels for a range of applications in industry, housing and transport.

Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation said: “Europe is the world leader in innovative clean energy solutions that help tackle climate change. This new prize and other EIC [European Innovation Council] Horizon Prizes will move these efforts up a gear by challenging bright minds to think outside the box and come up with novel technologies that improve our daily lives and help protect the planet.”

The deadline for applications is 3rd February 2021.

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