创新英语-Scientists Create Energy-Making Artificial Leaf
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created what could be a breakthrough in providing clean, alternative energy. Researchers have invented an artificial leaf that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen and stores the energy in a fuel cell. The device is about the size and shape of a playing card, but is even thinner. It is made from silicon 1 and electronic components 2. The MIT team says it could power a home in a developing country for a whole day just by putting it into water under the Sun. The artificial leaf is also cheap to produce. Research team leader Daniel Nocera said a prototype of his leaf in his laboratory operated non-stop for over 45 hours with no drop in activity.
Technology that can efficiently 3 turn sunlight and water into energy has long been seen as the Holy Grail of science. The conversion 4 of solar energy into hydrogen is one of the answers to the question of how to provide an effective alternative to fossil fuels and thus end our dependence 5 on oil. Nocera’s invention could even help save the planet, by turning around global warming. Furthermore, in light of the events at Fukushima, Japan, it might also prove to be a safe replacement 6 for nuclear energy. However, this is all wishful thinking at the moment. The technology, although highly promising 7, is still in its early stages of development. In the near future, it could provide energy to people in remote areas of sunnier countries.
- This company pioneered the use of silicon chip.这家公司开创了使用硅片的方法。
- A chip is a piece of silicon about the size of a postage stamp.芯片就是一枚邮票大小的硅片。
- the components of a machine 机器部件
- Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。
- The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
- Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。
- He underwent quite a conversion.他彻底变了。
- Waste conversion is a part of the production process.废物处理是生产过程的一个组成部分。
- Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug.医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
- He was freed from financial dependence on his parents.他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。
- We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
- They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。