Some really smart researchers at Penn State have created a device that mimics the photosynthesis process that plants use to strip energy from sunlight and water. Their solar cell is super inefficient right now (the researchers have to help the reaction along a bit) but they say that with time and effort they may get to a level of efficiency (10-15%, which means nothing to me) that could provide a “clean source of hydrogen fuel from water and sunlight.”

Sounds good to me. I can’t stand my current solar-powered water splitter, it only works at like 7% efficiency on a good day. Come on, I need to get my zeppelin in the air!

Solar Cell directly splits water for hydrogen [Physorg]