Researchers at the American Chemistry Society used the power of photosynthesis to generate 0.28V using a single leaf of succulent plant
A groundbreaking experiment by researchers at the American Chemistry Society has resulted in generating electricity through plants. According to a report by Euronews on Wednesday, December 14, scientists have successfully created a living bio solar cell that runs on photosynthesis.
The electricity was generated after researchers inserted conductors inside the leaves of a succulent plant known as Corpuscularia lehmannii or ice plant.
A statement by the American Chemistry Society in the report said, “During [photosynthesis], light drives a flow of electrons from water that ultimately results in the generation of oxygen and sugar”.
The statement added, “This means that living photosynthetic cells are constantly producing a flow of electrons that can be pulled away as a ‘photocurrent’ and used to power an external circuit, just like a solar cell.”
The report said, succulent plants were used in the research as they have a higher concentration of water, which makes them the ideal candidates. The experiment resulted in producing 0.28 volts of electricity from a single leaf of the plant. A car battery in comparison produces 12.6 volts.
Although the energy produced by a single leaf is less than an alkaline battery, researchers in the report suggest that this could be increased by connecting multiple leaves.
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