Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Abstract
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 CO2 reduction.
Keywords
Power Output, Alginate Immobilized Algae, Biophotovoltaic Devices
Divisions
Science
Funders
Newton Fund, Institutional Link Grant (IF007-2015),IOES UMCoE RU Grant (RU003-2017),HICoE MOHE: Air-ocean-land Interaction Grant (IOES-2014),UM Algae Grant (GA003- 2012)
Publication Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
7
Issue
1
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group