Algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) device for generation of bioelectricity using Synechococcus elongatus (Cyanophyta)

Ng, Fong Lee; Phang, Siew Moi; Periasamy, Vengadesh; Beardall, John; Yunus, Kamran; Fisher, Adrian C.

doi:10.1007/s10811-018-1515-1

Cited by 28 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Biological photovoltaics (BPVs) are a developing technology that uses the natural process of photosynthesis in organisms to generate electricity. [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] However, extracting bioelectricity from living photosynthetic organisms such as microalgae remains challenging. The greatest challenge originates from the extremely low transition rate from light to electricity, presumably due to the shielding by membrane systems from chloroplasts.…”

Section: Doi: 101002/advs201903707mentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Biophotocurrent Generation in Living Photosynthetic Optical Resonator

et al. 2020

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In article number 1903707, Yu‐Cheng Chen and co‐workers demonstrate an approach to amplify bio‐nano‐electricity through the encapsulation of living algae in an optical micro‐cavity. The strong energy coupling between the cavity mode and photosynthetic resonance reveal the potential of exploiting optical resonators to amplify biological photocurrent generation and energy‐harvesting efficiency. Potential applications include photocatalysis, electrochemistry, and sustainable biophotonics.

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Section: Doi: 101002/advs201903707mentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Biophotocurrent Generation in Living Photosynthetic Optical Resonator

et al. 2020

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“…41 The variable fluorescence, F v , is the difference between F m and F o . The maximum quantum efficiency, F v /F m , can then be calculated with the following formula [5][6][7][8] :…”

Section: Pulse Amplitude Modulation (Pam) Fluorometer Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Various clean energy alternatives including algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices have been proposed to tackle the carbon emission problem. 8 In microalgae, chlorophyll binding proteins harvest light energy from light sources during photosynthesis. A BPV device contains photosynthetic microorganisms that absorb and convert solar energy into chemical energy with minimal carbon footprint.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although most photoautotrophic organisms including microalgae will recover from minor photo-induced damages, the cessation in photosynthetic energy conversion under high irradiance will debilitate power output from algal BPV devices. 8 In microalgae, chlorophyll binding proteins harvest light energy from light sources during photosynthesis. 9,10 The energy oxidizes water molecules into molecular oxygen, protons, and electrons in the Photosystem II (PSII) oxygen-evolving complex (OEC).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of different irradiance levels on bioelectricity generation from algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices

Thong

Phang

et al. 2019

Energy Science & Engineering

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Rapid population and economic growth in the world have accelerated the search for new sustainable and environment‐friendly energy sources. Power‐producing systems generally add to the carbon load in the environment, contributing to global climate change. In photosynthesis, energy from light splits water molecules into oxygen, protons, and electrons. Algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) platforms were developed to harvest these electrons to generate bioelectricity through algal photosynthesis. Irradiance is one of the most important parameters that determine power output efficiency from algal BPV devices. In this study, the effective range of irradiance levels for power generation from algal BPV devices comprising of suspension and alginate‐immobilized Chlorella cultures on ITO anodes was determined. Immobilized cultures were prepared by entrapping the algal cells in 2% sodium alginate solution. The algal BPV devices were illuminated by four different irradiance levels (30, 90, 150, and 210 µmol photons m−2 s−1). The maximum power density of 0.456 mW m−2 was generated from the prototype algal fuel cell at the irradiance level of 150 µmol photons m−2 s−1. At 210 µmol photons m−2 s−1, low power density was produced due to photoinhibition as indicated by Fv/Fm values generated through PAM fluorometry. In terms of carbon fixation rate, the highest value was recorded in immobilized culture at 217.11 mg CO2 L−1 d−1. The algal biophotovoltaic device is multifunctional and can provide sustainable energy with simultaneous carbon dioxide removal.

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“…However, the selection of algal strains with high photosynthetic performance, and providing these living energy-conversion microbes with the most suitable physiological conditions to perform their activities optimally is very important. Studies of improvised algal BPV systems were carried out to increase the power output from algal BPV devices 10 – 12 . However, the algal BPV has another important advantage over the MFC: while the MFC releases CO 2 , the algal BPV device consumes CO 2 and releases O 2 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimised spectral effects of programmable LED arrays (PLA)s on bioelectricity generation from algal-biophotovoltaic devices

Phang

Lan

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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The biophotovoltaic cell (BPV) is deemed to be a potent green energy device as it demonstrates the generation of renewable energy from microalgae; however, inadequate electron generation from microalgae is a significant impediment for functional employment of these cells. The photosynthetic process is not only affected by the temperature, CO2 concentration and light intensity but also the spectrum of light. Thus, a detailed understanding of the influences of light spectrum is essential. Accordingly, we developed spectrally optimized light using programmable LED arrays (PLA)s to study the effect on algae growth and bioelectricity generation. Chlorella is a green microalga and contains chlorophyll-a (chl-a), which is the major light harvesting pigment that absorbs light in the blue and red spectrum. In this study, Chlorella is grown under a PLA which can optimally simulate the absorption spectrum of the pigments in Chlorella. This experiment investigated the growth, photosynthetic performance and bioelectricity generation of Chlorella when exposed to an optimally-tuned light spectrum. The algal BPV performed better under PLA with a peak power output of 0.581 mW m−2 for immobilized BPV device on day 8, which is an increase of 188% compared to operation under a conventional white LED light source. The photosynthetic performance, as measured using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry, showed that the optimized spectrum from the PLA gave an increase of 72% in the rETRmax value (190.5 μmol electrons m−2 s−1), compared with the conventional white light source. Highest algal biomass (1100 mg L−1) was achieved in the immobilized system on day eight, which translates to a carbon fixation of 550 mg carbon L−1. When artificial light is used for the BPV system, it should be optimized with the light spectrum and intensity best suited to the absorption capability of the pigments in the cells. Optimum artificial light source with algal BPV device can be integrated into a power management system for low power application (eg. environment sensor for indoor agriculture system).

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Algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) device for generation of bioelectricity using Synechococcus elongatus (Cyanophyta)

Cited by 28 publications

References 28 publications

Enhanced Biophotocurrent Generation in Living Photosynthetic Optical Resonator

Enhanced Biophotocurrent Generation in Living Photosynthetic Optical Resonator

Effect of different irradiance levels on bioelectricity generation from algal biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices

Optimised spectral effects of programmable LED arrays (PLA)s on bioelectricity generation from algal-biophotovoltaic devices

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