Artificial leaf technology is constantly expanding. Coming from a silk lab in Tufts University, Julian Melchiorri is a scientist and artist who has introduced an artificial leaf that can undergo photosynthesis. This design was produced with the plan that it could light up the house and produce oxygen simultaneously. He has made this invention by suspending chloroplasts (the organelles required for photosynthesis) in a body produced from silk protein. The leaf then is able to absorb carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen as the product, as long as there is enough water and light to feed it. Julian believes that his artificial leaf is not only light weight, but also extremely energy and light efficient. The Photosynthesis Equation: 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O + (SUNLIGHT ENERGY) --> C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 This seems like a great idea but there is something missing from Julian’s design: Sugar. Plants produce oxygen and glucose as the product of photosynthesis.