Science and Technology: EPFL creates an artificial tree that produces heat and oxygen

Breakthrough into the world of science and technology on the Lausanne student campus. EPFL researchers have developed a solar reactor capable of converting water into heat, oxygen and large amounts of hydrogen.

If the structure blends with other satellite antennas on the student site, it stands out in its class for its productivity: “With just over 9 liters of water, our ‘artificial tree’ is capable of producing 8kg of oxygen and 1kg of hydrogen.” , explains Saurabh Temporni, founder of SoHHytec, the startup that markets the product.

Alternate room heating

This invention will immediately benefit the industries that use the raw materials produced by the machine. However, it cannot be ruled out that ordinary people can also do a good job, especially for ambient heating of homes: “The reactor is able to preserve the heat produced and re-inject it into the building network thanks to a heat exchanger,” says Saurabh Temporni. Our smallest model produces about 140 kilowatts. Watts per hour of energy per day in good weather.” By comparison, the average Swiss household consumes just over 13 kWh of energy per day according to a study by the Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) dated 2021.

Since 2015, EPFL and SoHHytec have invested 1.5 million francs to develop the project, but the startup has allocated additional funds of up to 5 million to disseminate the product.

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