Researchers in the US claim to have taken the next step in the development of bacteria-powered energy.
The team from Binghamton University have connected nine biological-solar (bio-solar) cells into a bio-solar panel and continuously produced electricity from the panel, generating the most wattage (5.59 microwatts) of any existing small-scale bio-solar cells.
According to Binghamton University, the current research is the latest step in using cyanobacteria as a source of energy. Last year, the group took steps toward building a better bio-solar cell by changing the materials used in anodes and cathodes of the cell and also created a miniature microfluidic-based single-chambered device to house the bacteria instead of the conventional, dual-chambered bio-solar cells.
The group has now connected nine identical bio-solar cells in a 3×3 pattern to make a scalable and stackable bio-solar panel. The panel is said to have continuously generated electricity from photosynthesis and respiratory activities of the bacteria in 12-hour day-night cycles over 60 total hours.
Read the complete article published by The Engineer, 12 April 2016
