Copper Catalyst SEM (IMAGE) DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Caption These are scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of oxide-derived copper shown at different magnifications. A discovery by researchers at Berkeley Lab and the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis has revealed that inside this porous material are product-specific 'active sites,' where electrons from the copper surface interact with carbon dioxide and water in a sequence of steps that transform them into valuable products such as ethanol fuel, ethylene, and propanol. Credit Joel Ager and Yanwei Lum/Berkeley Lab Usage Restrictions Joel Ager and Yanwei Lum/Berkeley Lab License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.