Molecule mimics plants, stores solar energy for fuel

Scientists have developed a molecule mimicking plants to capture and store solar energy, a significant step towards creating fuel directly from sunlight. This breakthrough allows for storing multiple energy charges from light in a stable state, essential for fuel-producing reactions like splitting water, using conditions closer to natural sunlight. The research addresses a key obstacle in artificial photosynthesis, a technology that could provide carbon-neutral fuels for sectors difficult to electrify, such as aviation and shipping.