Basel, Aug. 26 -- A research team created a plant-inspired molecule that can store four charges using sunlight, a key step toward artificial photosynthesis.

Unlike past attempts, it works with dimmer light, edging closer to real-world solar fuel production.

A research team from the University of Basel, Switzerland, has developed a new molecule modelled on plant photosynthesis: under the influence of light, it stores two positive and two negative charges at the same time.

The aim is to convert sunlight into carbon-neutral fuels.

Plants use the energy of sunlight to convert CO2 into energy-rich sugar molecules. This process is called photosynthesis and is the foundation of virtually all life: animals and humans can "burn" the carbohydra...