Team:Reading/Protocols

Project Description

Contents

Biological photovoltaics (BPVs) have the potential to provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional photovoltaics. However, current implementations have not been able to provide sufficient electron output to be viable alternatives to solar panels. Our project aims to increase output by redirecting electron flow in our chosen cyanobacteria, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (henceforth Synechocystis).

1. Project Overview
2. The Problem
3. Why Synechocystis?
4. Project Aims
5. Methods
6. References

The Problem

Solar photovoltaics are one of the main sources of renewable energy and are likely to become more widely used in the future . However, they are far from perfect. Although cyanobacteria have been predicted to have photosynthesis efficiency of around 11%¹ (maximum recorded current produced is 11pA/cell²), compared to 10-32%³ for traditional photovoltaics, BPVs could have several benefits. As they are made from living organisms, BPVs are capable of self-repair. Furthermore, they consume carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and are cheaper to produce, so have been proposed for use in lower income countries where less energy is required per person². Though BPVs are worth pursing as an alternative to traditional photovoltaics, their potential electrical output is yet to be realised. Our project seeks to improve upon current levels and so make BPVs more viable.