Bioelectricity
Information
The research is focuses on exploring the possibility of drawing electricity directly from biological cells. For this purpose we use the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Solar energy will split water into oxygen, protons and electrons driven by the excitation of the two photosystems of the photosynthetic electron transport system, located in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. Nano-probe systems are employed to locally capture the generated high energy electrons in order to gain electric energy.
To better understand the chemical reactions and photo-efficiency we model portions of the photosystem and the charge transfer by ferredoxin with the help of quantum mechanical tools. We also study the activation enthalpy of electron transfer via the electron shuttle from photosystem I to ferredoxin and then to the electrode in the stroma. The main emphasis is focused on understanding the underlying physics and biology of the mass transport reactions.
Further, we are exploring the practicality and economic viability of generating bioelectricity from the system. However, in addition to enabling us to evaluate the potential for bioelectric generation in the chloroplast compartment, the approach may provide information on whether or not the lumenal compartment of the thylakoid is contiguous, the extent of the voltage that can accumulate across the thylakoid membrane in vivo, the effect of light intensity and quality on voltage generation and the topology of the thylakoid membranes, and how the topology changes as a function of the light intensity, modulation of environmental conditions (such as nutrient availability) and the alteration of any or all of these properties in specific mutant strains.
Read more about Bio Solar Cell In-side of a Chloroplast, Localization of Algae Cell and Chloroplast, Probing
