【英语时差8,16】太阳能也能用于制造液体燃料？ -上

I know that solar energy can be used to make electricity and to heat water and air. But can solar power also be used to make liquid fuels? Until recently, the practical answer was "no." Photovoltaic panels absorb sunlight and use it to create an electric current, while thermal¹ solar devices use sunlight to heat water and buildings. Liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel², and ethanol are made mostly by refining fossil fuels such as oil or renewable fuels such as corn and carbohydrate³ rich plants. But because making fuels involves chemical reactions at high temperatures, researchers are now experimenting with ways to bring solar energy into the mix.

 

1 thermal   

adj.热的，由热造成的；保暖的

参考例句：

• They will build another thermal power station.他们要另外建一座热能发电站。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

2 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

3 carbohydrate   

n.碳水化合物；糖类；(plural)淀粉质或糖类

参考例句：

• You should not have too much carbohydrate in your diet.你日常饮食中不该有过多碳水化合物。
• Cashew nuts are rich in carbohydrate.腰果含丰富碳水化合物。