Algae-powered computing: scientists create reliable and renewable biological photovoltaic cell

Date:12 May 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Application

• Powering small devices, such as sensors or smartphones

Description

Scientists have successfully developed a reliable and renewable biological photovoltaic cell which harnesses the power of algae to generate electricity. This project uses a combination of algae, electrodes, and a small electronic circuit to create a biological photovoltaic cell.The system is made of common, inexpensive and largely recyclable materials. This means it could easily be replicated hundreds of thousands of times to power large numbers of small devices.The researchers say it is likely to be most useful in off-grid situations or remote locations, where small amounts of power can be very beneficial.

Pathway Description:

The system, comparable in size to an AA battery, contains a type of non-toxic algae called Synechocystis that naturally harvests energy from the sun through photosynthesis. The tiny electrical current this generates then interacts with an aluminium electrode and is used to power a microprocessor.