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The Development of Biophotovoltaic Systems for Power Generation and Biological Analysis
Author(s) -
Wey Laura T.,
Bombelli Paolo,
Chen Xiaolong,
Lawrence Joshua M.,
Rabideau Clayton M.,
Rowden Stephen J. L.,
Zhang Jenny Z.,
Howe Christopher J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201900997
Subject(s) - anode , microbial fuel cell , nanotechnology , biochemical engineering , technology development , energy harvesting , electrical engineering , power (physics) , engineering , electrode , engineering physics , materials science , chemistry , physics , manufacturing engineering , quantum mechanics
Biophotovoltaic systems (BPVs) resemble microbial fuel cells, but utilise oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms associated with an anode to generate an extracellular electrical current, which is stimulated by illumination. Study and exploitation of BPVs have come a long way over the last few decades, having benefited from several generations of electrode development and improvements in wiring schemes. Power densities of up to 0.5 W m −2 and the powering of small electrical devices such as a digital clock have been reported. Improvements in standardisation have meant that this biophotoelectrochemical phenomenon can be further exploited to address biological questions relating to the organisms. Here, we aim to provide both biologists and electrochemists with a review of the progress of BPV development with a focus on biological materials, electrode design and interfacial wiring considerations, and propose steps for driving the field forward.