Artificial plant guzzles carbon and produces electricity

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2. Binghamton researchers develop artificial plants that purify indoor air, generate electricity

Last edited Thu Oct 24, 2024, 03:29 AM - Edit history (1)

https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/5165/binghamton-researchers-develop-artificial-plants-that-purify-indoor-air-generate-electricity

Binghamton researchers develop artificial plants that purify indoor air, generate electricity
Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and PhD student Maryam Rezaie are repurposing their ideas about bacteria-powered biobatteries into a new idea


By Chris Kocher OCTOBER 04, 2024

On average, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, and the air we breathe at work, school or home affects our overall health and well-being.

Most air purification systems, however, are expensive, cumbersome and require frequent cleaning or filter replacement to function at optimum levels.

Binghamton University Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and PhD student Maryam Rezaie are repurposing their research about bacteria-powered biobatteries — ingestible and otherwise — into a new idea for artificial plants that can feed off carbon dioxide, give off oxygen and even generate a little power. The artificial plants use indoor light to drive photosynthesis, achieving a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide levels — far surpassing the 10% reduction seen with natural plants.

They outline their results, which is partially supported by the Office of Naval Research, in a paper recently published by the journal Advanced Sustainable Systems.


The artificial plants developed at Binghamton University use indoor light to drive photosynthesis, achieving a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide levels — far surpassing the 10% reduction seen with natural plants. Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.

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https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202400401

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3 Future Direction
We anticipate that our artificial plant can be effortlessly installed in any indoor environment in a cost-effective, maintenance-free, and eco-friendly manner. Since it is power-free and self-sustaining, no external energy sources or accessory components are required. However, additional studies are necessary to further refine its practical applications. Here, the long-term operation necessary for ideal and permanent improvements in indoor air quality was not achieved. The use of a single bacterial species may limit long-term bacterial viability, suggesting that engineered co-culture communities might be more advantageous for sustained operation. Additionally, exploring the genetic engineering of bacteria could enhance performance. Moreover, minimizing maintenance, which can be achieved through optimized water and nutrient delivery systems, is crucial for practical application. Regarding power performance, generating higher power output is essential for more practical indoor applications, such as charging a cellphone. It is anticipated that a minimum output of more than 1 mW is necessary. To accomplish this, further improvements in materials and device structures are required. Increasing the compactness and number of biosolar cells could significantly enhance power output. Additionally, integrating energy storage solutions, such as lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors, should be considered to make the system more effective and versatile for real-world applications. These future directions will pave the way for cyanobacterial artificial plants to become a viable technology for indoor environmental management and sustainable energy.

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