...When it comes to photosynthesis and semiconductor-base solar cells they have many similarities as well as differences. In this paper I will explain to you exactly what they are. I will also point out how the laws of thermodynamics apply to both processes. One major similarity between photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cells is that they both require solar energy or sunlight for the process to begin. Photosynthesis’ main function is to transform solar energy into the chemical energy of a carbohydrate (McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2009 p. 86). Energy from the sun is absorbed by chlorophyll, which is a pigment in the chloroplasts (membrane bound organelle in algae and plants with chlorophyll, where photosynthesis takes place) of plants. Once in the chloroplasts the energy is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen then combines with carbon dioxide to make sugars and energy-storing compounds. A solar cell is a device that converts solar energy into light at the atomic level. When light energy strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor material (NASA Science). Another thing that they have in common is that man kind also relies on both processes for survival. During photosynthesis food and oxygen are produced, and carbon dioxide is removed from the air and without solar energy we wouldn’t have electricity. Another similarity is that during the process they both lose electrons. When the electrons are...
Words: 268 - Pages: 2
...Running head: PHOTOSYNTHESIS VS. SEMICONDUCTOR BASED SOLAR CELL Photosynthesis Vs. Semiconductor Based Solar Cell Biology – SCI 115 23 January 2012 Abstract This paper discusses photosynthesis and how it is used by plants to harness solar energy. It also discusses semiconductor-based solar cells and how they are able to harness solar energy and convert it to electricity. This paper also compares the two types of solar energy systems and provides an overview of how the two systems are alike and how they are different. In closing, this paper will briefly explain how the laws of thermodynamics apply to each of the two energy systems. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a process that transfers solar energy, or energy from the sun, into a chemical energy that provides nutrients to plants and animals all over the world. Without these important nutrients, plants, animals and humans would not be able to survive on earth. “Animals and plants get energy by metabolizing nutrient molecules made by photosynthesizers.” (Mader, 2010) Semiconductor-Based Solar Cell Before discussing what a semiconductor-based solar cell is, I would first like to define a semiconductor and then explain how it is used in a solar cell type environment. A semiconductor is, “a class of materials, such as silicon and germanium, whose electrical properties lie between those of conductors (such as copper and aluminum) and insulators (such as glass and rubber)...
Words: 1177 - Pages: 5
...2012 There are many similarities and also many differences when comparing photosynthesis and semiconductor based solar cells this paper will outline those these as well as give a description of the two cycles. I will also be defining the law of thermodynamics and explaining how it applies to photosynthesis and also semiconductor based solar cells harnessing solar energy. Photosynthesis is the process of converting solar energy into chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. For photosynthesis to occur a few factors must be present such as water, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll, and light energy. Photosynthesis consists of two sets of reactions the first being the photo portion or light reaction which is the reaction that captures solar energy the second being the synthesis reaction or Calvin cycle reactions which converts that solar energy into carbohydrates (Mader, 2010). For light reactions to occur first light energy enters the cells and is absorbed by the chlorophyll. That Light energy raises the energy level chlorophyll enabling electrons to be freed form the chlorophyll molecules. This makes the chlorophyll molecules positively charged the electrons from hydrogen atoms are attracted to the positively chlorophyll causing water molecules to break apart into oxygen atoms. The elections freed from the chlorophyll and the protons freed from water take part in the chemical reactions in the cell. The reactions result in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide...
Words: 932 - Pages: 4
...10/26/12 Photosynthesis is an amazing process that transpires inherently and is one that is required for all living organisms to sustain existence on this planet. The efficiency of this process has sparked inventions, such as the semiconductor-based solar cell, that would allow humans to produce energy in a way that is very similar to that of a plant’s photosynthetic process. In this paper, I will compare and contrast the photosynthetic process with that of semiconductor-based solar cells in their capacities to generate energy while also explaining the application of thermodynamics to each process. In order to discuss the photosynthesis and the semiconductor-based solar cell, it is crucial to understand what is involved in each process and how they could be different or the same. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some bacteria use the energy from sunlight to produce sugar, which cellular respiration converts into ATP, the fuel used by all living things. The solar cell connects solar energy to convert it into electricity, which is required by all humans. This process can be understood as solar electricity, which is created by using Photovoltaic technology, which is converting solar energy into solar electricity from sunlight. This system is providing sunlight to everyday use constituents such as computers, lighting and electrical equipment. The foremost contrast between photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cells is that they require solar energy...
Words: 1171 - Pages: 5
...Photosynthesis and Semiconductor-based solar cell Robyn Beavon Strayer Univestity SCI 115 Professor Meri Stanec July 23, 2012 Photosynthesis and Semiconductor-based solar cell Photosynthesis, by definition, “is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert the light energy captured from the sun into chemical energy that can be used to fuel the organism's activities”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis) A solar cell “is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell) Photosynthesis and a semiconductor-based solar cell have several similarities and differences. Photosynthesis and solar cells both require solar energy or sunlight for the process to begin. We rely on both processes for survival, photosynthesis produces us oxygen, food and materials for living on Earth (fiber for clothes, wood for our homes, ect) and solar cells provide us with electricity. Another similarity is that they both lose electron during the process. When the electrons are lost in solar cells they are replenished once the electrical circuit is complete. In photosynthesis the electrons lost by the pigments are replaced by splitting water. Splitting water occurs in both plant cells and solar cells, a chemical reaction in which water is separated into oxygen and hydrogen. Water splitting occurs naturally in the process of photosynthesis, however...
Words: 527 - Pages: 3
...The plant photosynthesis process and semiconductor-based solar cells processes are very similar in their functions and creating an end product as well as there are a variety of differences between them. First we need to look at photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants, algaes and cyanobacteria absorb sun light and convert it to sugar. In the photosynthesis processes, the plant absorbs the sun light then in complex processes converts the intake of carbon dioxide to the end results to sugar (carbohydrates) and releases water and oxygen. The oxygen is what humans and all living animals use to survive and breathe in. Humans and animals release the carbon dioxide which is what the plants absorb in with as well as the light rays from the sun. According to Mader, “if the amount of carbohydrate were instantly converted to coal, and the coal loaded into standard railroad cars (each car holding about 50 tons), the photosynthesizers of the biosphere would fill more than 100 cars per second with coal” (2010, p.86). During my research on semiconductor-based solar cell energy, I found that the solar cell energy is capture in about the same means that the plants absorb light rays and carbon dioxide. The solar cells are made up of usually silicone. In 2010, Heindl stated, “the second most abundant element in earth`s crust, silicon has the advantage, of being available in sufficient quantities, and additionally processing the material does not burden the environment” (e.g., Heindl...
Words: 446 - Pages: 2
...Title: Photosynthesis versus Photovoltaics Name: Antoinette Bromfield Professor’s Name: James F. Cox Course Title: Introduction to Biology (SCI 115) Date: August 6, 2012 Photosynthesis is “the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by living organisms”. The raw materials used in this process are carbon dioxide and water; the energy source used is sunlight and the end products are oxygen and carbohydrates. This process can be thought of as the most biochemical pathway, since nearly all life on Earth is dependent either directly or indirectly on it. A solar cell is “any device that directly converts the energy in light into electrical energy through the process of photovoltaics”. Photosynthesis and solar cells are similar in a variety of ways. Both systems trap energy from the sun. Plants use photosynthesis to trap energy from the sun and then convert it to food and solar cells trap their energy from the sun and then convert it to electricity. Another similarity with both systems is that they both transform energy into useful forms. The energy that is absorbed by the sun can be used to make solar electricity while the most widely useful product of photosynthesis is oxygen, which is used by all animals here on Earth. In order for animals to survive, they must deliver oxygen to all cells of the body. Finally, both systems require the use of sunlight to begin their processes. Photosynthesis uses chlorophyll...
Words: 645 - Pages: 3
...OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND SOLAR CELLS 1 The Comparison of Photosynthesis and Solar Cells THE COMPARISON OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND SOLAR CELLS 2 Abstract This paper will compare and contrast photosynthesis and the semiconductor based solar cell. This will be accomplished by detailing three similarities, and three differences between the two. The first of the similarities being the absorption of solar energy, the second being the transformation of solar energy into a different more useable form of energy, and finally the third being that they both use organic colorants to attract the sun’s rays. The three differences being that one produces chemical energy and the other electrical energy. The second difference is that one occurs naturally and the other is manmade, and the third difference is that one is cost effective and the other are expensive to produce. This paper will also describe how the laws of thermodynamics apply to each of the systems, giving the reader even further insight on the topic at hand. THE COMPARISON OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND SOLAR CELLS 3 The Comparison of Photosynthesis and Solar Cells Photosynthesis is the process in green plants and other organisms by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source. Semi-conductor based solar cells...
Words: 1014 - Pages: 5
...through a process known as photosynthesis. Photosynthesis uses energy from the sunlight, solar energy, to produce sugar where sugar is then converted into chemical energy. In order for a plant to use sugar to convert into chemical energy, the the plant must have water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. These substances are then transported to the leaves where photosynthesis takes place. Photosynthesis occurs in two stages, light reactions and dark reactions. Light reactions take place in the day where sunlight is required and taken to create ATP; where dark reactions do not require sunlight, but usually take place during the day as well and carbon dioxide is converted to sugar. Semiconductor-based solar cell is used to generate electric energy. Semiconductors are the devices that are located in a solar cell that absorb the sunlight in order for electric energy to be created. These devices have proven to be efficient due to the fact that they easily absorb sunlight and require less solar energy in order to be converted. Photosynthesis is used to create energy that living organisms need in order to survive and semiconductor-based solar cells are used to create energy that we do not have to have, but have found to be very helpful and have come to depend on. The differences between these solar energy absorbers is photosynthesis absorbs less sunlight and more energy is required for energy to be produced and the cost of absorbing energy for photosynthesis is significantly less. ...
Words: 538 - Pages: 3
...Photosynthesis The sun is our most powerful source of energy, the ultimate source of energy for nearly all life on Earth. Sunlight can be used for heating, lighting and cooling homes and other buildings, generating electricity, water heating, and several other processes. Plants and certain other organisms are able to capture solar energy and carry on photosynthesis, a process that transforms solar energy into the chemical energy of nutrient molecules. Animals and plants get energy by metabolizing nutrient molecules made by photosynthesis (Mader, 2012). Most of this solar radiation is in the form of invisible ultraviolet and infrared frequencies, as well as the spectrum of visible light. But the most important use of solar radiation by living organisms is photosynthesis, the direct conversion of visible light into usable energy for plant and animal life, and oxygen to breathe. Only a vanishingly small part of the total amount of radiation given off by the sun actually reaches earth, and only a portion of that is utilized by photosynthesizing organisms (Shields and Teng, 2012). Photosynthesis is the process of producing and releasing oxygen in the air. It needs sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. During the process of photosynthesis, the plants decompose the molecules of hydrogen and carbon-dioxide into hydrogen; carbon and oxygen produce glucose which forms the source of their energy, growth and food. For plants their main source of energy is photosynthesis, which is used...
Words: 564 - Pages: 3
...Plant Cell versus Solar Cell Katrina Minchew July 18, 2011 Strayer University | | Photosynthesis is defined as the process in which green plants and other organisms by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source. It takes place mainly inside the leaves. This process utilizes light energy and it is transformed into chemical energy used to create organic compounds. Photosynthesis consists of two processes that use both light and dark energy. The first process, light reaction transforms light into energy. The second process utilizes dark reactions, use the energy and carbon dioxide to produce sugar. The process needs sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. These materials are transported through the leaves. Water is absorbed by the plant through the roots and is then delivered to the leaves through the plant tissue. The carbon dioxide is absorbed through small holes in plant leaves known as stomata. It also releases oxygen. The process known as chlorophyll is when the green pigment of plants and photosynthetic algae and bacteria trap the energy of sunlight. In plants, photosynthesis takes place inside the chloroplasts, which is the organelle that carries out photosynthesis and starch grain formation. A chlorophyll-containing organelle in plants is the site of photosynthesis. A solar cell also known as the photovoltaic cell is a solid state electrical mechanism that converts the energy of light directly into electricity...
Words: 629 - Pages: 3
...Running Head: Photosynthesis and Semi-Conductor based Solar Cells Photosynthesis and Semi-Conductor based Solar Cells Your Name goes Here Your Course Name Instructor Name October 22, 2011 Photosynthesis and Semi-Conductor based Solar Cells Plants opened opportunities to develop a source of energy from the photosynthesis process. Experts have tried to reproduce the process of photosynthesis with unproductive outcomes. For the purpose of this assignment, will explore energy generated processes through photosynthesis and a semi-conductor based solar cell. Also, will explain how both processes are related to the laws of thermodynamics. Both processes have similarities, and differences. Amid the similitude's are that both processes gather sunlight, separate water molecules, and generate energy outputs. For instance, plants receive sunlight when are on direct contact with the sun, while solar cells collect rays through photovoltaic (PV) panels. Sunlight energy is immersed when "large numbers of chlorophyll molecules acts as the antenna that actually harvest sunlight and start to convert it in to a useful form"(Why are plants green? - MSU Physics and Astronomy, 1996). Both photosynthesis and semi-conductor based solar cells are significant due to their possibilities of production. “Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, use the energy from sunlight to produce sugar...
Words: 1141 - Pages: 5
...ASSIGNMENT #1: PHOTOSYNTHESIS IS USED BY PLANTS TO HARNESS SOLAR ENERGY Introduction This document will educate us on the theory that energy is around us. It will be proven that energy comes from many forms and in fact is created multiple ways. Photosynthesis and the process that a semi-conductor solar can go through to make energy are just two ways in which energy is created for life forms here on earth. This study will allow us to see by comparing the two it’s evident that while they are alike how they use the sun to produce energy, they are very different in their processes. Similarities The similarities of semiconductors and photosynthesis are similar because they aim to trap energy from the sun. Example: the plants use photosynthesis to trap energy from the sun and will manufacture food and the semiconductors trap energy from the sun and convert it to electricity. Another, similarities between photosynthesis and semiconductor is that both have cells that traps energy from the sun, the semiconductor has solar cells that trap energy from the sun and convert it into useful product. (O'Connell) But semiconductor and photosynthesis can also be noted with more similarities because they can transform the solar energy into useful form. Remember the energy absorbed by the solar cells will and can covers into electricity and the energy absorbed in the plant is transformed can produce concrete products. Photosynthesis and semiconductors systems can work...
Words: 820 - Pages: 4
...Plant Cell (Photosynthesis) versus Solar Cell Regina D. Parker October 31, 2010 Three ways a plant cell and solar cell are similar and different to each other is that plant cells and solar cells both convert sunlight into energy. In the case of plants it is chemical energy for solar cell; it is electricity. Plants use organic processes but solar cells use inorganic semiconductors.[i] Plant cells are different from the cells of most other organisms. Plant cells are usually larger than animal cells and surrounded by a rigid cell wall made from cellulose. They have a large central vacuole that takes up most of the cell and if they carry out photosynthesis, the plant cells will have chloroplasts. Plants have three types of tissues that are made up of different types of cells. Surface which is tissue forms the protective outer layer covering the plant, fundamental are only composed of one type of cell and are grouped based on the level of thickness of the cell wall, and vascular tissues are complex tissues that consist of more than one type of cell. Solar cells usually operate better under concentrated light. This has led to the development of a range of approaches using mirrors or lenses to focus light on to specially designed cells and use heat sinks, or active cooling of the cells, to dissipate the large amount of heat that is generated. Unlike conventional flat plate PV arrays, concentrator systems require direct sunlight and will not...
Words: 792 - Pages: 4
...The BioSolar Cells project Sustainable energy from photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a complex process that occurs in many variations. The BioSolar Cells Project initiative aims to specifically use this diversity to improve this process and enhance its potential as a source of energy, biomass, feed and food. NADHP ATP PLANTS El ec tro n tra Glucose ns po rt ch ai n Photosystem I Photosystem II Energy Energy Energy The world faces a rapidly increasing demand for sustainable energy. Man-caused changes that threaten the climate, together with oilsupplies that eventually will run short, forces us to rely on alternative biomass sources for products that now originate from oil. First and second generation biofuels cannot fulfill this need in a sustainable and societal acceptable manner. In addition, the world faces the challenge to increase agricultural production to adequately feed an increasing world population. Since the possibilities to increase the agricultural acreage are limited, this largely must be accomplished by improving the landproductivity. The largest option available is the sun and it is our challenge to make the most of this incredible resource. While solar power currently revolves primarily around the application of photovoltaic cells, new options are available with photobiological cells or BioSolar Cells. These have various benefits: • Production of these cells is in principle inexpensive; • The biological materials used...
Words: 1657 - Pages: 7
