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An international gang of biologists is refining a system to hijack the electricity generated by photosynthesis in plants, in effect creating a living, albeit low-powered, solar cell.


By inserting nano-sized gold electrodes into the photosynthesizing organs of single-celled algae, scientists have been able to intercept and extract electrons generated when the plant absorbs the sun's photons.


Instead of generating sugars or starches, the stolen electrons travel down the wire.


"Theoretically we should be able to collect all photosynthetic electrons," said WonHyoung Ryu at Yonsei University in South Korea, who collaborated with researchers at Stanford University on the project, which was recently described in an article appearing the journal Nano Letters (subscription required).


These bio-solar cells are underpowered compared to silicon photovoltaics, however. At most, the algae generates 6 milliamps per square centimeter; modern solar cells have an energy density of 35 milliamps.


The algae system could be useful in absorbing red or blue light, wavelengths that chlorophyll has evolved to handle best, Ryu added.


Much work remains to be done on the bio-solar concept, which seems infeasible to establish at a large scale. There is also the problem of how stealing electrons hastens the algae's death, Ryu said.


"We do not know for sure what effect this electron stealing will have on the life of the cells," he said. "We want to keep them alive as long as possible."

Tags: Alternative Fuels, Biofuels, Energy Companies, Algae, Alternate Fuels, Alternative Fuels, Biofuels Growth, Biofuels Mandate, Electrons, Photosynthesis

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Scientists Claim They Can Steal Electricity From Algae's Photosynthetic Electrons was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.