Nanotechnologists say they have achieved another breakthrough using the precious metal platinum, this time to deliver a form of energy manufacture.

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratory say that further work on the possibilities made available by nanotechnology have focussed on the delivery of molecular systems that perform a type of photosynthesis.

Using the porphyrin molecule, a protein essential to photosynthesis, scientists have developed a method for depositing platinum on small organic structures called lipids.

From this type of molecular-scale electroplating technique, they have proceeded to create convoluted platinum structures that might be used to split hydrogen atoms from water molecules, effectively delivering a light-driven source of hydrogen.

It is thought the technique could hold a wide range of applications including sensors and other electronic devices.