Welcome to the SHArK Project Wiki []
The Solar Hydrogen Activity Research Kit (SHArK) Project Solar energy is the only option for producing the vast quantities of renewable carbon-free power needed to power the planet. The Achilles Heel of solar energy is that the sun does not shine at night and so a method to store the energy for night and transportation uses is needed. Producing hydrogen from sunlight and water is an ideal solution to the storage problem. The Solar Hydrogen Activity research Kit (SHArK) Project at the University of Wyoming was established in 2008 as a spin off of our basic research effort on solar water splitting. This project provides a unique approach to learning chemistry that engages young people to participate in actual research to help solve the global energy problem. The goal of this project is to discover metal oxide semiconductors that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. Currently, no known stable material is capable of efficiently and inexpensively photoelectrolyzing water with visible light. There are millions of compounds that need to be produced and tested for their ability to photoelectrolyze water. We developed inexpensive kits to enable young scientists to participate in this endeavor. The hardware and software was developed that uses an inkjet printer, laser pointer and LEGOs® allowing for virtually endless arrays of potential metal oxide semiconductors to be easily produced and tested.
The SHArK project provides an avenue for researchers from all disciplines of science and engineering to collaborate to help solve the global energy crisis. In 2008, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation funded a seed proposal to create this project and currently 10 kits have been distributed to undergraduate institutions. Currently, we are part of an NSF-funded project entitled "Powering the Planet" that focuses on solar water splitting (www.ccisolar.caltech.edu).
Our Mission[]
To discover inexpensive and stable oxide semiconductors that can efficiently photoelectrolyze water using sunlight
Our Goals[]
- To discover stable oxide semiconductors that can efficiently photoelectrolyze water and that is economically viable
- To engage and encourage young people to take an active role in solving the global energy problem
- To provide students the opportunity to participate in real time, active scientific research
Learn More[]
Learn some of the basic scientific principles behind the SHArK: SHArK Theory
Explore the latest techniques and procedures: Practical SHArKing
Always be safe in the laboratory! Use common sense, follow good lab practices, and read our SHArK Safety page for specific tips.