A team of researchers from the Optical Bio Microsystem lab at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, have invented and developed micro-photosynthetic cell technology that can harness electrical power from the photosynthesis and respiration of blue-green algae. This novel, scalable technology enables economical ways of generating clean energy, and may be the superlative, carbon-free power source for the future of mankind.
The team headed by Dr. Muthukumaran Packirisamy, research Chair of the Optical Bio Microsystem lab at Concordia, has conceived and developed such a contraption. The report is featured in the September 2015 issue of the journal TECHNOLOGY.
Clean and green carbon-free energy is globally anticipated as the potential soltution for the mitigation and eventual erasure of global warming. The main source of clean energy comes from the sun, which emits more energy to the earth every hour than mankind depletes in one year. Hence, technologies that derive energy from the sun are instrumental to the worldwide conversion of power sources to eco-friendly auxiliaries. This constitutes a large part of the incentive for the team of researchers at Concordia University, who have come up with an effective method for harnessing photosynthetic power from algae.
Both photosynthesis and respiration, which take place in plants cells, involve electron transfer chains. The main concept herein involves trapping these electrons that are released by blue-green algae. The electron transfer chains of photosynthesis and respiration are constructive in harnessing the electrical energy from blue-green algae. This photosynthetic power cell consists of an anode, cathode and proton exchange membrane. The anode chamber consists of cyanobacteria and it releases electrons to the electrode surface from a redox agent that is present at the cathode. An external load is connected to extract the electrons. The fabricated cell could produce an open circuit voltage of 993mV and a power density of 36.23W/cm2. The more detailed report is available in the journal TECHNOLOGY. The performance of the power cell can be increased by reducing the electrode spacing between the two electrodes of proton exchange membrane and efficient design of the cell.
These micro photosynthetic power cells may entail significant military and wireless applications.
Read more:Â Micro Photosynthetic Power Cells may be the Green Energy Source for the Next Generation
The Latest on: Photosynthetic Power Cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Photosynthetic Power Cells” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Photosynthetic Power Cells
- Discovering the Hidden Science of Everyday Wonderson March 28, 2024 at 7:35 am
Buckle up, fellow adventurers, as we unravel the quirky mysteries behind those everyday moments that make us go, "Huh, why ...
- Jellyfish: The smart stinging creatures drifting through our oceanson March 28, 2024 at 6:34 am
“Jellyfish have stinging cells called nematocytes,” explains Dr Ronald Jenner, our Principal Researcher in venom evolution. “They have thousands of these along their tentacles. The stinging cells ...
- Measuring plant root health by scanning leaves with X-ray deviceon March 25, 2024 at 5:09 pm
As the world grapples with the escalating challenge of climate change, focusing on plant roots may be the solution.
- A Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming. Here’s What You Need to Know.on March 22, 2024 at 1:28 pm
These are answers to common questions about the April 8 eclipse, and we’re offering you a place to pose more of them.
- How cells in plant leaves organize themselves to ensure optimal area for photosynthesison March 21, 2024 at 6:09 am
Plant leaves need a large surface area to capture sunlight for photosynthesis. Dr. Emanuele Scacchi and Professor Marja Timmermans from the Center for Plant Molecular Biology at the University of ...
- Speeding Toward Carbon-Free Railwayson March 20, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Japan has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. To honor this commitment, Japan's railway companies have begun various initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. JR East is now testing a ...
- Heliene navigates the pitfalls of modern manufacturing while helping farmers feed familieson March 19, 2024 at 11:02 am
PV module manufacturer Heliene shares insights on modern manufacturing and agrivoltaic breakthroughs as it opens new production lines.
- Storing Renewable Energy, One Balloon at a Timeon March 18, 2024 at 10:46 am
To decarbonize the electrical grid, companies are finding creative ways to store energy during periods of low demand.
- Current Climate: Big Risks As Oceans Overheaton March 18, 2024 at 6:37 am
This week’s Current Climate, which every Monday brings you the latest news about the business of sustainability.
- Why do trees need sunlight? An environmental scientist explains photosynthesison March 12, 2024 at 5:16 am
The way they make their food is a unique and important chemical process called photosynthesis. The cells in plants and all other living ... capable of taking in the sun directly and using it to power ...
via Bing News