Scientists in the Netherlands have developed an artificial leaf that can act as a small factory for drugs production. Such advancement could allow vital medicines to be manufactured anywhere as long as there is sunlight.

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The artificial leaf taps into plants ability to utilize sunlight to produce food for themselves through the process of photosynthesis. Industrial chemists have had a hard time trying to replicate this process because sunshine usually produces too little energy to fuel chemical processes.

However, scientists at the Eindhoven University of Technology have formulated a leaf-inspired method made possible by a unique class of substances known as Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs).

Like leaves in nature, the material concentrates sunlight. But instead of directing the sunlight to energy centers, the light sensitive molecules in the LSCs convert the sunlight into a specific color and then conduct it towards its edges.

Researchers at the university realized that the LSCs, which are already used to improve the performance of solar cells, could be used to trigger chemical reactions.

"Theoretically, you could use this device to make drug compounds with solar energy anywhere you want," lead researcher Timothy Noel said.

Noel is convinced that by removing the need for a power grid in the future, it might be possible to produce malaria drugs in the jungle, or even on Mars. The device is manufactured from silicone rubbner and can operate even when there is diffuse light, meaning that it can be operated under cloudy skies.

However, there is some way to go before it becomes commercially viable.

TagsScience, Science news