Clean Energy: First Bacteria-Powered Solar Panels

May 15, 2016

Researchers at Binghamton University connected nine identical bio-solar cells into bio-solar panels that can produce clean energy. Continuous electricity could be produced from the panels and it could become the permanent power source for wireless sensors, wireless telemetry systems and control systems at remote sites where frequent replacement of battery is impractical.

Cyanobacteria is the process being used in the current research, which could be found in almost every aquatic and terrestrial habitat on the earth as a source of sustainable and clean energy. The team connected 9 identical biological-solar (bio-solar) cells in shape of 3x3 patterns to make a stable and scalable bio-solar panel. Electricity was continuously generated from respiratory and photosynthesis activities of the bacteria in twelve hour day-night cycles over 60 total hours.

This recent breakthrough in clean energy offers great opportunity for a reliable power source in remote areas for long term. The solar panels from this study with same configuration could generate about 0.00003700 watts, which isn't efficient just yet, but the findings from the research open the door to future innovative activities on bacteria. Fabrication facilities for the work were provided by the Binghamton University Nanofabrication Lab, while the University Research Foundation provided the funding. Additional basic research is needed to clarify bacterial metabolism and energy production potential for such bio-solar applications.

Source:http://phys.org/news/2016-04-energy-bacteria-powered-solar-panel.html