Surprising new renewable energy source has ‘negative carbon emissions’

A surprising source of renewable energy has “negative carbon emissions”, a new study has found.

Harnessing the power of photosynthesis, a team at Concordia University in Wisconsin developed micro photosynthetic power cells that generate electricity from algae. These cells capture the electrons produced during photosynthesis, converting them into a continuous electrical current.

Researchers found that it actually has a two-fold benefit. It not only produces clean energy, but also absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it a negative carbon emission technology. The only by-product is water, emphasizing its environmental friendliness.

“The idea of ​​the micro photosynthetic power cell is to extract the electrons produced through the process of photosynthesis,” Kirankumar Kuruvinashetti, Ph.D., now a Mitacs postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary, said in a statement.

“Photosynthesis produces oxygen and electrons. Our model traps electrons, which allows us to produce electricity. So, more than being a zero-emission technology, it’s a carbon-negative technology: it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and it gives you a current. Its only by-product is water.”

Micro photosynthetic power cells consist of small chambers with a separate membrane in between. The algae are placed in one chamber, and another chemical, potassium ferricyanide, is in the other chamber.

When algae perform photosynthesis, they release tiny particles called electrons. These electrons are captured by the membrane, creating an electric current. This setup can even generate electricity without direct sunlight, although it works best with sunlight.

“Like humans, algae breathe continuously—but they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Because of their photosynthesis machinery, they also emit electrons during respiration. The production of electricity does not stop. The electrons are constantly collected,” Ph.D. . candidate and paper co-author Dhilippan Panneerselvam said in a statement.

Read more: The best solar companies

Algae energy cells currently produce less electricity than conventional solar panels, but future improvements could increase their efficiency. They are easier and cheaper to make because they don’t need harmful gases or complex materials like silicon solar cells. Instead, they use eco-friendly and affordable materials, making them green and cost-effective.

“Our system does not use any of the hazardous gases or microfibers needed for the silicon manufacturing technology that photovoltaic cells rely on. Furthermore, the disposal of silicon computer chips is not easy. We use biocompatible polymers, so the the whole system is easily decomposable and very cheap to manufacture,” said Muthukumaran Packirisamy, a professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering and the paper’s corresponding author.

Do you have a tip for a science story that Newsweek should be covered? Do you have any questions about algae? Tell us via science@newsweek.com.