The leaf consists of chloroplasts suspended in a matrix made out of silk protein
World's first Synthetic Biological leaf. (photo: Agencies)
London: An inventor in the UK has developed the world's first synthetic biological leaf that absorbs water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen just like a plant, and it could enable long-distance space travel.
The leaf, created by Royal College of Art student Julian Melchiorri, consists of chloroplasts suspended in a matrix made out of silk protein.
"The material is extracted directly from the fibres of silk,” Melchiorri said.
He extracted chloroplasts from plant cells and placed them inside this silk protein. “As an outcome I have the first photosynthetic material that is living and breathing as a leaf does,” he said.
( Source : PTI )
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