Could algae’s photosynthesis be a new way to generate energy? Looks like it might be. Photo: Unsplash
Researchers from Concordia’s Optical-Bio Microsystems Lab have found a potentially groundbreaking new way to pull energy from the photosynthesis process of algae. A recently published study detailing the process was published in the journal Energies.
The findings come at a critical time. The need to find ways to transition away from fossil fuels has never been more pressing. Not only does this new potential power source not produce any carbon emissions, but algae also removes carbon.
“The idea of the micro photosynthetic power cell is to extract electrons produced through the process of photosynthesis,” says Kirankumar Kuruvinashetti, PhD 20, now a Mitacs postdoctoral associate at the University of Calgary. “Photosynthesis produces oxygen and electrons. Our model traps the electrons, which allows us to generate electricity. So more than being a zero-emission technology, it’s a negative carbon emission technology: it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and gives you a current. Its only byproduct is water.”
According to the paper, if configured in a very precise way, the power cells used to store the energy from algae’s photosynthesis process “to obtain the desired voltage and current from the µPSC [micro-photosynthetic power cell’ such that it can be used to power real-time low and ultra-low power devices.”
The tiny little photosynthetic power cell is made up of a cathode chamber and an anode, which have a proton exchange membrane shaped like a honey comb in between them. Micro-electrodes are placed on both sides, catching the charge that is created when algae is in photosynthesis.
The algae is coated in a solution in the anode chamber, and the cathode is filled up with potassium ferricyanide. It’s a process that doesn’t end, either, so the potential is exciting.
“Just like humans, algae are constantly breathing — but they intake carbon dioxide and release oxygen,” said Dhilippan Panneerselvam, a co-author of the paper. “Due to their photosynthesis machinery, they also release electrons during respiration. The electricity generation is not stopped. The electrons are continuously harvested.”
Although the system is not yet capable of competing with tried, tested, and true methods of power generation, those involved in the research believe that it does have the potential to be a power source in the future — they just need more time and more research.
