A micro photosynthetic electrochemical cell

A micro photosynthetic electrochemical cell (μPEC) was fabricated and tested as a potential self-sustained power source for mobile MEMS devices such as remote sensors. The μPEC harnesses the natural metabolic processes (photosynthesis and respiration) of the blue-green algae Anabaena to convert light energy into electrical power. In both light and dark conditions, the μPEC produced an open-circuit potential of over 400 mV, a current density of over 30 μA/cm² with a 10-Ω load, and a power density of 61 μW/L. These results are generally comparable to the microfabricated microbial fuel cell by Chiao et. al. (2002), though lower than those of micro solar cells and of macroscale MFCs and PECs. However, unlike solar cells, the μPEC has the ability to produce power in the dark; and unlike methanol or microbial fuel cells, no fuel is required.