A self-sustainable high-power-density bio-solar cell for lab-on-a-chip applications has been developed by researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York.
A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system that generates its own power is essential for stand-alone, independent, point-of-care diagnostic devices to work in limited-resource and remote regions, explains Seokheun Choi, Binghamton University electrical and computer science assistant professor. Miniaturized biological solar cells (or micro-BSCs) can be the most suitable power source for those applications because the technique resembles the earth's natural ecosystem, he adds.
"Micro-BSCs can continuously generate electricity from microbial photosynthetic and respiratory activities over day-night cycles, offering a clean and renewable power source with self-sustaining potential," says Choi. "However, the promise of this technology has not been translated into practical applications because of its relatively low power and current short lifetimes."
Choi and Ph.D. candidate Lin Liu created a microscale microfluidic biological solar cell that can attain high electrical power and long-term operational capability, which will provide a practical and sustainable power supply for lab-on-a-chip applications. The bio-solar cell generated a maximum power density of 43.8 μW cm−2 and sustained consistent power production of ∼18.6 μW cm−2 during the day and ∼11.4 μW cm−2 at night for 20 days, which is the highest and longest reported success of any existing micro-scale bio-solar cells, they reported earlier this month in Lab on a Chip.
Image: A miniaturized biological solar cell assembled micro-BSC device. Image courtesy of Seokheun Choi.