Artificial photosynthesis systems and methods for producing carbon-based chemical compounds

A method comprising:

• providing a device comprising:
• a photoanode chamber including a photoanode assembly, the photoanode assembly comprising a first plurality of nanowires disposed on a first substrate;
• a photocathode chamber including a photocathode assembly, the photocathode assembly comprising a second plurality of nanowires disposed on a second substrate;
• an ultraviolet light (UV) filter positioned to block UV light from irradiating the photocathode assembly;
• an electrical connection electrically connecting the photoanode assembly and the photocathode assembly;
• a membrane separating the photoanode chamber and the photocathode chamber, the photoanode, the photocathode, and the membrane being disposed in water, and the membrane being impermeable to oxygen and oxygen radicals;
• and
• a microorganism disposed in the photocathode chamber, the microorganism comprising an archaea belonging to the genus Methansarcina;
• irradiating the photoanode assembly with a first light and irradiating the photocathode assembly with a second light, the photoanode oxidizing the water to generate oxygen, protons, and electrons, the electrons being provided to the photocathode assembly by the electrical connection, the protons travelling through the membrane to the photocathode chamber;
• and
• forming a carbon-based compound with the microorganism using the electrons or hydrogen formed by two protons.