Novel microbial photobioelectrochemical cell using an invasive ultramicroelectrode array and a microfluidic chamber

• Published in: Biotechnology letters Vol. 39; no. 6; pp. 849 - 855
• Main Authors: Ha, Joon-Geun, Song, Young Seok, Jung, Sunghwan, Jang, Soohwan, Kim, Yong-Kweon, Bai, Seoung Jai, Park, Jae-Hyoung, Lee, Seung-Ki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied Microbiology; Biochemistry; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Cells, Immobilized; Chlorella - cytology; Chlorella - metabolism; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Equipment Design; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Microelectrodes; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods; Microfluidics; Microorganisms; Original Research Paper; Photobioreactors; Photochemistry; Photosynthesis; Silicon; Solar cells; Ultra-microelectrodes; Microtip array; Cell immobilization; Microbial photobioelectrochemical cell; Microfluidic device
• ISSN: 0141-5492; 1573-6776
• DOI: 10.1007/s10529-017-2307-4

Objective To fabricate a novel microbial photobioelectrochemical cell using silicon microfabrication techniques. Results High-density photosynthetic cells were immobilized in a microfluidic chamber, and ultra-microelectrodes in a microtip array were inserted into the cytosolic space of the cells to directly harvest photosynthetic electrons. In this way, the microbial photobioelectrochemical cell operated without the aid of electron mediators. Both short circuit current and open circuit voltage of the microbial photobioelectrochemical cell responded to light stimuli, and recorded as high as 250 pA and 45 mV, respectively. Conclusion A microbial photobioelectrochemical cell was fabricated with potential use in next-generation photosynthesis-based solar cells and sensors.