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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180705084215.htm
Researchers have found a cheap, sustainable way to build a solar cell using bacteria that convert light to energy. Their cell generated a current stronger than any previously recorded from such a device, and worked as efficiently in dim light as in bright light. This innovation could be a step toward wider adoption of solar power in places like British Columbia and parts of northern Europe where overcast skies are common.
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They genetically modify E. coli cells to contain a lot of the dye which bacteria use for harvesting light energy by photosynthesis. Called lycopene, it is the same material that makes tomatoes their red-orange color. Coating the outside of the cells with a mineral acts as a semiconductor, converting the solar energy harvested by the lycopene into electricity. These cells work very efficiently even under low light conditions.
Researchers have found a cheap, sustainable way to build a solar cell using bacteria that convert light to energy. Their cell generated a current stronger than any previously recorded from such a device, and worked as efficiently in dim light as in bright light. This innovation could be a step toward wider adoption of solar power in places like British Columbia and parts of northern Europe where overcast skies are common.
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They genetically modify E. coli cells to contain a lot of the dye which bacteria use for harvesting light energy by photosynthesis. Called lycopene, it is the same material that makes tomatoes their red-orange color. Coating the outside of the cells with a mineral acts as a semiconductor, converting the solar energy harvested by the lycopene into electricity. These cells work very efficiently even under low light conditions.