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A high power-density, self-sustained hybrid bio-solar cell with co-culture of heterotrophic and photosynthetic bacteria

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We demonstrated self-sustainable high power generation from a microliter-scale bio-solar cell by using syntrophic interaction between electricity-generating heterotrophic bacteria and phototrophs. The device continuously generated light-responsive electricity from the heterotrophic bacterial metabolic respiration with the organic substrates produced by the photosynthetic bacteria. Without the external input of organic fuels, the bio-solar cell utilizing the mixed culture generated self-sustained current more than 400 times greater than that of the bio-solar cell using only photosynthetic bacteria. The device featured (i) a small-scale microchamber to reduce the start-up time by increasing the probability of cell attachment/biofilm formation, (ii) a carbon-based anodic material to promote bacterial adhesion and (iii) a sandwich configuration of the anode/proton exchange membrane (PEM)/air-cathode to minimize the inter-electrode distance and significantly reduce the internal resistance.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2016 Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Workshop, Hilton Head 2016
EditorsMark G. Allen, Tina Lamers
PublisherTransducer Research Foundation
Pages396-399
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781940470023
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Event2016 Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Workshop, Hilton Head 2016 - Hilton Head, United States
Duration: Jun 5 2016Jun 9 2016

Publication series

Name2016 Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Workshop, Hilton Head 2016

Conference

Conference2016 Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Workshop, Hilton Head 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHilton Head
Period06/5/1606/9/16

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