Strange solar cells get energy from bacteria

Researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada, found an efficient and inexpensive way of solar cells that could work well in dimly lit areas.

According to Science Daily, researchers at the University of British Columbia created a solar cell that uses bacteria to convert light into energy . This battery not only gains more power than previous devices but also works effectively in strong light and low light.

Microbial solar cells can work effectively in dim places.(Illustration).

This is seen as a breakthrough in the application of solar cell technology in places like British Columbia and some areas of Northern Europe, where the sky is often murky. When developed, these solar cells, called bio-batteries, made from living organisms, are as effective as synthetic solar cells are still commonly used.

"Our solution to British Columbia's problem is a significant step forward in making solar energy more economical," said a researcher.

Solar battery is responsible for turning light into electricity. Previous efforts to build biofuel solar cells focused on the extraction of natural products that bacteria use to photosynthesize. It is an expensive and complex process that includes many toxic factors that can cause this product to deteriorate in quality.

The solution of the University of British Columbia researchers is to put this product in bacteria. They structure the gene of E. coli to produce a large amount of lycopene - a product that gives tomatoes a reddish orange color and is effective in collecting light to convert into energy.