Biochemical energy conversion cell
AssigneeBugsy Solar LLC
InventorEmily A. Stein
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Abstract
Presented herein is a voltaic cell containing light harvesting antennae or other biologically-based electron generating structures optionally in a microbial population, an electron siphon population having electron conductive properties with individual siphons configured to accept electrons from the light harvesting antennae and transport the electrons to a current collector, an optional light directing system (e.g., a mirror), and a regulator having sensing and regulatory feedback properties for the conversion of photobiochemical energy and biochemical energy to electricity. Also presented herein is a voltaic cell having electricity-generating abilities in the absence of light. Also presented herein is the use of the voltaic cell in a solar panel.
Claims17
A voltaic cell comprising:
- (a) a buffer comprising an ionically conductive medium, and an electron siphon population, the ionically conductive medium comprising a non-photosynthetic species of microbe and a photosynthetic species of microbe,
- wherein the photosynthetic species of microbe comprises light-harvesting antennae;
- (b) a vessel at least partially containing the buffer;
- (c) an anode configured for providing electrons to an external circuit or load;
- and
- (d) a cathode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.