Enhancement of Power Output by using Alginate Immobilized Algae in Biophotovoltaic Devices

We report for the first time a photosynthetically active algae immobilized in alginate gel within a fuel cell design for generation of bioelectricity. The algal-alginate biofilm was utilized within a biophotovoltaics (BPV) device developed for direct bioelectricity generation from photosynthesis. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2017-11, Vol.7 (1), p.16237-8, Article 16237
Main Authors: Ng, Fong-Lee, Phang, Siew-Moi, Periasamy, Vengadesh, Yunus, Kamran, Fisher, Adrian C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/57
639/4077
Algae
Alginic acid
Bioelectricity
Biofilms
Carbon dioxide
Cell culture
Electron transport
Fuel cells
Fuel technology
Humanities and Social Sciences
Manufacturing cells
multidisciplinary
Photosynthesis
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Suspension culture
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Summary:We report for the first time a photosynthetically active algae immobilized in alginate gel within a fuel cell design for generation of bioelectricity. The algal-alginate biofilm was utilized within a biophotovoltaics (BPV) device developed for direct bioelectricity generation from photosynthesis. A peak power output of 0.289 mWm −2 with an increase of 18% in power output compared to conventional suspension culture BPV device was observed. The increase in maximum power density was correlated to the maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRm). The semi-dry type of photosynthetically active biofilm proposed in this work may offer significantly improved performances in terms of fuel cell design, bioelectricity generation, oxygen production and CO 2 reduction.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-16530-y