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In the next couple years we'll be modifying and creating biological structures that perform these functions.

Building it by mechanically manipulating inert materials feels so 1950s.

Biology is stunningly efficient, but it's hard to optimize further. To get really high yields you usually need industrial processes.

Solar panels are ten times more efficient than photosynthesis.

Today it's 10x more efficient, but it could theoretical get 100x more efficient, worth working on it.

Can it? I thought panels were well over 10% efficiency these days. Plus I'm pretty sure there's a hard limit somewhere below 100%.

It's called the Shockley–Queisser limit.

isn't the self replicating property of life a huge benefit though?