Hydrogen horizons: Learning from nature to develop fuels of the future

If produced renewably, hydrogen is considered to be the fuel of the future, burning cleanly without releasing any carbon dioxide. Inspired by how plants use sunlight to make sugars through photosynthesis, scientists are developing artificial materials that can use sunlight to convert water into hydrogen fuel. In this talk, we will discover the latest and most exciting achievements in this field, and how we are getting closer to economically viable devices that could transform the energy sector for good.

Nature is inherently cool. Birds sporting head-turning plumage, gorgeously iridescent seashells, geckos climbing on anything as if the rules of physics don’t apply to them. They’ve had a several million-year head start on us. Can we learn from them? Which secrets do they hide in their tiny nanoscale structures? In this fun, colourful talk, we will explore what materials scientists have synthesised by looking at nature and stealing all of its secrets. Come along to this lively chat armed with the curiosity of a cat, graciousness of a humpback whale and the thirst of an elephant.