Scientists develop a solar cell powered by bacteria

Our Solution to a Unique British Columbia Vikramaditya Yadav, Project Leader

Previous attempts to make these biogenic cells involved extracting the dye that bacteria use during photosynthesis, which is a process complicated and expensive.

As reported in the journal Small, Yadav and his colleagues decided to leave the dye in the bacteria.

Working with E. coli, scientists have genetically engineered bacteria to synthesize large amounts of a dye called lycopene, a substance that is particularly effective at converting light into energy.

After covering the E.coli with a semiconductor mineral, they applied it to a glass surface. With this glass serving as an anode at one end of the cell, the researchers succeeded in producing a current density of 0.686 milliamperes per cm ² . This current density compares with the density of 0.362 per cm ² until now obtained using other devices.

We recorded the highest current density for a biogenic solar cell. These hybrid materials that we develop can be manufactured economically and sustainably, and, with sufficient optimization, could operate at efficiencies comparable to those of conventional solar cells. "

Vikramaditya Yadav, project manager

Although the economic benefits are a bit difficult To estimate, Yadav thinks that the cost of production of the dye is reduced to about 10% of what it would be otherwise.

Finally, says Yadav, the Holy Grail would develop a process where bacteria are not killed, so that the dye can be produced indefinitely.

He adds that other areas where solar cells Biogenic could be useful include deep-sea exploration, mining and other activities involving poorly lit environments.