Process and system for producing glucose

Abstract

An electrochemical process and system for producing glucose are described. The process and system allow for the production of glucose from carbon dioxide and water, requiring only melanin, or a precursor, derivative, analog, or variant of melanin, and electromagnetic energy, such as visible or invisible light energy.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A process for producing glucose, the process comprising reacting water and carbon dioxide gas dissolved therein in the presence of at least one melanin device and a source of electromagnetic energy, wherein the at least one melanin device consists of melanin and a substrate, wherein the substrate is an inert material selected from the group consisting of silica, plastic, and glass, the melanin being held within the substrate to prevent the melanin from being dispersed throughout the water, and the electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm, such that glucose is produced. 
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising continuously dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the water. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate of the at least one melanin device is silica, such that a mixture of melanin and silica is formed. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the process is carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 25° C. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein melanin is selected from natural melanin and synthetic melanin. 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein melanin is the only water-electrolyzing material used in the process. 
     
     
         7 . A system for producing glucose, the system comprising:
 (i) a reaction cell for receiving water and carbon dioxide gas dissolved therein, and at least one melanin device consisting of melanin and a substrate, wherein the substrate is an inert material selected from the group consisting of silica, plastic, and glass, the melanin being held within the substrate to prevent the melanin from being dispersed throughout the water; and   (ii) a source of electromagnetic energy, wherein the electromagnetic energy is visible or invisible light energy having a wavelength of 200 nm to 900 nm, such that the electromagnetic energy is transmitted into the reaction cell and is absorbed by melanin.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the reaction cell is connected to a device for continuously injecting CO 2  gas into the reaction cell. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the reaction cell is a closed reaction cell. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein melanin is selected from natural melanin and synthetic melanin. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein melanin is the only water-electrolyzing material present in the system. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the substrate of the at least one melanin device is silica, such that a mixture of melanin and silica is formed.