Breakthrough at Binghamton furthers development of bacteria-powered energy

The team from Binghamton University have connected nine biological-solar (bio-solar) cells into a bio-solar panel and continuously produced electricity from the panel, generating the most wattage (5.59 microwatts) of any existing small-scale bio-solar cells.

"Once a functional bio-solar panel becomes available, it could become a permanent power source for supplying long-term power for small, wireless telemetry systems as well as wireless sensors used at remote sites where frequent battery replacement is impractical," said Seokheun "Sean" Choi, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering in Binghamton University's Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Choi is also corresponding author of the paper "Biopower generation in a microfluidic bio-solar panel," which reported the findings.

"This research could also enable crucial understanding of the photosynthetic extracellular electron transfer processes in a smaller group of microorganisms with excellent control over the microenvironment, thereby enabling a versatile platform for fundamental bio-solar cell studies," said Choi.