New algae fuel cell design to improve the efficiency of double-chamber system by 5 times

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New algae fuel cell design to improve the efficiency of double-chamber system by 5 times

A new type of algae fuel cell can not supply power to the grid for a short period of time, but the simple process and low cost allow them to be used in developing countries, such as sunny African rural areas.

Bio-photovoltaic (BPVs, also called bio-solar batteries) batteries have gradually become an environmentally friendly, low-cost method for solar power generation. These batteries use the photosynthetic characteristics of microorganisms such as algae (which produce electrons in cells during photosynthesis). Convert light to current.

At present, the biophotovoltaic cells have both functions of collecting electrons and transporting electrons into the circuit in a single chamber. When the algae absorb sunlight to produce electrons, some of the electrons are injected into the circuit immediately outside the cell wall, but Cambridge, UK The university team realized that if the two procedures were separated, the battery would improve efficiency.

According to research lead author Kadi Liis Saar, battery charging components need to be exposed to sunlight (allowing algae to photosynthesis) to be charged efficiently, but electron transfer components do not need sunlight, and the latter has to do more to convert electrons into currents. Therefore, they designed a new “dual-chamber system” under which microelectronics control technology was used to transfer electrons to the transmission room. As a result, the internal resistance of the battery was lower and the electrical loss was lower. The battery power density was lower than that of the existing equipment. Increase 5 times to 0.5W/m2.

In addition, the energy produced by the battery during the day can also be preserved. Choose to use it at night or on cloudy days, which may be useful for night lighting systems. Although the new algae fuel cells still cannot compare with traditional silicon solar fuel cells, the power density of the latter is 10 times that of the former, but the investment demand for algae energy is less, and once the mass production is not needed, even if the power is not enough to power the grid system, It can play its part in sunny developing countries (such as Africa) and rural areas without grid systems.

This research has been published in the journal Nature Energy.

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