Scientists from Harvard University have created a system, dubbed the ‘bionic leaf’, that splits water molecules into its base hydrogen and oxygen atoms, then uses bacteria to create a liquid fuel, called isopropanol, a versatile fuel that can be used as a propellant. The way it works it after a synthetic leaf splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen, the hydrogen is fed to a bacteria, which then combines the hydrogen with carbon dioxide to make isopropanol. Scientists still need to up the efficiency of their new bionic system, but the findings could lead to greater energy independence for those in developing nations.