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Ok_Star_4136 t1_jcxkv78 wrote

Such discoveries often are sensationalised. I hope it leads to being not only efficient but also easily manufactured, but it seems that it would involve being able to grow the enzyme in mass and I don't think we have that kind of technology yet.

It's like any "new tech" article ever written. They show that jetpacks work with a tech demo, and then suggest it might be used everywhere in the future, despite the fact that they neglect to say you can fly only for 30 second intervals before having to refuel. Or perhaps they talk about a new atom-sized transistor that would make microchips incredibly small, but neglect to mention that it must be cooled to temperatures of -100°C and cost three times the cost of producing 50 traditional transistors. I appreciate the optimism, but it should be counterbalanced with a bit of realism as well.

That said, I hope something comes out of this, it should be explored more. I just wouldn't be expecting buildings to be covered with HUC paint that allows them to be entirely energy sufficient just yet. That day may one day come, but we're no closer to installing transparent solar panel glass in buildings than we are using HUC paint.

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kelvin_bot t1_jcxkvt0 wrote

-100°C is equivalent to -148°F, which is 173K.

^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)

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