Electricity generation from digitally printed cyanobacteria

Nat Commun. 2017 Nov 6;8(1):1327. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01084-4.

Abstract

Microbial biophotovoltaic cells exploit the ability of cyanobacteria and microalgae to convert light energy into electrical current using water as the source of electrons. Such bioelectrochemical systems have a clear advantage over more conventional microbial fuel cells which require the input of organic carbon for microbial growth. However, innovative approaches are needed to address scale-up issues associated with the fabrication of the inorganic (electrodes) and biological (microbe) parts of the biophotovoltaic device. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using a simple commercial inkjet printer to fabricate a thin-film paper-based biophotovoltaic cell consisting of a layer of cyanobacterial cells on top of a carbon nanotube conducting surface. We show that these printed cyanobacteria are capable of generating a sustained electrical current both in the dark (as a 'solar bio-battery') and in response to light (as a 'bio-solar-panel') with potential applications in low-power devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources / microbiology*
  • Biotechnology
  • Cyanobacteria / physiology*
  • Electricity
  • Equipment Design
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Photosynthesis
  • Printing
  • Synechocystis / physiology

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon