Scientists in France have succeeded in converting the chemical energy produced by photosynthesis into electrical energy through the development of an innovative biological fuel cell based on the cactus plant
The research findings were published in the scientific journal Analytical Chemistry.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy. In the presence of visible light, carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose (sugar) and oxygen during a complex series of chemical reactions. Researchers from the French research institute Center de Recherche Paul Pascal (CNRS) have developed a biofuel cell that operates using the products of photosynthesis (glucose and oxygen) and consists of two enzyme-based electrodes.
In the next step, the cell is inserted into a living plant, in this case a cactus. Once the electrodes, which are very sensitive to the presence of oxygen and glucose, are inserted into the cactus leaves, the researchers were able to monitor the photosynthesis process in real time. They were able to notice an increase in the electric current when a normal desk lamp was turned on, and a decrease in the current when it was turned off. During these experiments, the researchers were also able to make the first ever observations of glucose levels during photosynthesis in real time. This method could offer a new means for a better understanding of the mechanism of photosynthesis.
Moreover, the researchers demonstrated that a biofuel cell inserted into a cactus is capable of producing 9 watts of energy per square meter. Since this utilization was relative to the intensity of illumination on the cactus, a stronger irradiation accelerated the formation of glucose and oxygen (the products of photosynthesis) so that there was more fuel available to activate the cell. In the future, this system, at the end of development, could form the basis of a new method for converting solar energy in an economical, renewable and environmentally friendly way, into electrical energy.
Aside from these findings, the initial goal of this research was to develop a biofuel cell for medical applications. The system will be able to function independently under the skin (in the human body) and utilize the chemical energy inherent in the reaction between oxygen and glucose, a reaction that occurs naturally in the physiological fluids in the body. This energy could be used, in turn, to operate implanted medical devices, such as sensors for monitoring glucose levels in diabetics.
17 תגובות
Ami or anyone who knows,
Why is it not possible to work directly with the electronic transit chain, instead of with its products?
to Michael Rothschild (6).
It will indeed happen, very soon there will be a demonstration of nudes in the Tel Aviv port.
SWIY always thought cactus are the best 😀
to the 13th. There is a fundamental contradiction between the facts he brought
The author of the article and comment 10 (mine, personally
looks more reliable), in any case, you don't know which one
A cell makes better use of radiation as long as they are not detected
The facts are for Ashorn.
It will give better utilization of solar cells or not?
Hear a story: "I got stuck with my hybrid car
In the desert of New Mexico, without fuel and without electricity, immediately
I connected to two cacti. Two days later and another two
The claim breaks, I got home."
The speaker found the department closed, apparently suffering
from the use of mescaline (peyote).
The real and important significance of this study, in my opinion, is the ability to measure for the first time a net production of glucose. So far we have measured oxygen or carbon. This time, too, it is only Bento, but nevertheless it is a measurement from a different direction and is very interesting in itself. I have no doubt that soon photosynthesis researchers will start realizing the electrode to make PI curves and the like and show stoichiometric comparisons against other measurements of oxygen or carbon 14.
Moreover, if there is a microelectrode that measures glucose (the innovation is the micro - not the electrode) then there is technology to create microelectrodes for other organic substances. As someone who did his PhD in the Department of Microsensors (Max Planck Institute, Germany) I know the problematic nature of such sensors and I was even involved in the development of a microsensor for measuring carbonate. These things are nice and help to quickly and elegantly understand a system in general, but they are not accurate P. Rob. As mentioned - a general picture.
Greetings friends,
Ami Bachar
The original news reports the power of 9 microwatts per square centimeter (not 9 watts!).
ZA 90 milliwatts per square meter.
For comparison, the power of the sun's radiation (at its peak) is kilowatts per square meter, and the efficiency of solar cells today is of the order of a few percent (I think that today there are experimental cells that reach a few tens of percentages of efficiency).
Roy,
Leave evolution and leave a hidden higher power.
I want a visible superior force - a biotechnological company that itself will change the plant to the needs of the customers.
What is the efficiency compared to existing solar cells?
Enough of abusing cacti!!
Correction Notice:
Since most of the clothing, especially the green, is made from plants, please come without.
The Plant Protection Association vigorously protests against the cynical and brutal exploitation of plants.
A demonstration for the protection of plants will take place this Saturday from Rabin Square.
Please come dressed in green.
Definitely a fanciful imagination 😛
If they manage to copy the process artificially, it will be very profitable...
This is actually the basis of the matrix theory?!
Using humans as human batteries to generate electricity?!
: )
All religious people are requested to replace the word evolution with "a hidden higher power" in my previous response
Really interesting!!
For small devices there is no problem, but there is a certain amount of current that we can draw from the plant without harming it, that is, the glucose and oxygen are needed for normal activity. On the other hand, since these are plants, under extreme conditions, perhaps the system could improve itself (by increasing the concentration of glucose and oxygen) by evolution...