The new method has allowed almost double the amount of energy produced compared to other batteries.
Many bacteria are able to convert sunlight into energy via photosynthesis. This process is due to the chemicals produced by the bacteria, although the specific variety of chemicals depends on the type of bacteria. Some scientists have tried to isolate these substances and use them in solar panels but the process of isolation was very difficult and usually the photosynthesis in did not work.
Scientists from the University of British Columbia decided not to touch chemicals, and instead have adopted the bacteria themselves. The researchers grew a large number of E. coli bacteria, they began to produce photosynthetic substances, after which they were coated by semiconductor materials for the production of electricity.
The new method has allowed almost double the amount of energy produced compared to other batteries based on the action of bacteria. It is not enough to compete with traditional solar panels, but bacterial has other advantages.
This device works just fine without direct sunlight, in low light, that is, it can produce electricity in cloudy days. In addition, such a system does not need expensive materials and complicated production process, that is, they are environmentally cleaner and cheaper.
While the mass production of the bacterial solar cells is still far away, but maybe someday they will supply electricity to the house, even in Northern, cloudy regions.
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