Science Daily July 5, 2018
Researchers in Canada have genetically engineered E. coli to produce large amounts of lycopene that is particularly effective at harvesting light for conversion to energy. The pigment‐producing cells are coated with TiO2 nanoparticles and the mixture is applied to a glass surface. With the coated glass acting as an anode at one end of their cell, they generated a current density of 0.686 milliamps per square centimetre — an improvement on the 0.362 achieved by others in the field. According to the researchers the hybrid materials can be manufactured economically and sustainably. With sufficient optimization, it could perform at comparable efficiencies as conventional solar cells… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Using bacteria that convert light to energy could be a step toward wider adoption of solar power in places where overcast skies are common. Credit: © FotoAndalucia / Fotolia