Akio Toriyama

Photohydrogen Production Using Photosynthetic Bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides RV

Production of hydrogen by photosynthetic bacteria under sunlight was studied. In August 1996, we conducted experiments on hydrogen production by natural sunlight. The hydrogen levels produced by the photosynthetic bacteria depended on the irradiation intensity of the sunlight; the maximum production rate was 4.0 L/m2/h and the conversion efficiency was relatively high, exceeding 2%. A laboratory hydrogen production experiment was also conducted using artificial light and the results were compared with those of the outdoor experiment.

Rite Biological Hydrogen Program

The Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) is developing hydrogen production technology based on biological processes. The objective of the project is to develop technologies for the efficient production of hydrogen, utilizing solar energy and photosynthetic microorganisms. This project, named “Development of Environmentally Friendly Technology for the Production of Hydrogen,” began in 1991 and will continue until March 1999 (total of eight years).

Effect of Light-Dark Cycle on Photo-Hydrogen Production by Photosynthetic Bacterium Rhodobacter Sphaeroides RV

We are studying to clarify the relationship between light irradiation and photo-hydrogen production by photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain RV(1–5). In particular, we will perform various investigations of conditions for utilizing sunlight.