Indian Researchers Harness Power of Living Algae to Generate Renewable Electricity
The study details the fabrication of a bio-photovoltaic device with Pithophora roettleri as the photoactive material, collected from a local pond in Coimbatore, India.
April 18, 2024. By Abha Rustagi
Their work, published in the Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices, describes the generation of electricity through a quasi-solid-state device utilizing live freshwater macroalgae, specifically Pithophora roettleri.
The study details the fabrication of a bio-photovoltaic device with Pithophora roettleri as the photoactive material, collected from a local pond in Coimbatore, India. The device, sandwiched between activated carbon-coated copper and titanium oxide-coated glass slides, exhibited promising results under various light conditions.
Under white light (100 mW/cm2) irradiance, the optimized device produced a short-circuit photocurrent of 10.19 μA and an open-circuit photovoltage of 0.35 V. When exposed to UV light (365 nm LED with 20 mW/cm2 intensity), the device generated a photocurrent of 1.25 mA and a photovoltage of 0.5 V.
Moreover, when tested outdoors under natural sunlight with 0.6 Sun intensity, a series connection of 10 devices delivered a voltage output of 5.53 V, highlighting the potential for practical application.
The research demonstrates the feasibility of generating bioelectricity from freshwater macroalgae, offering insights into renewable energy sources and emphasizing the importance of exploring alternative energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
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