Abstract
A micro photosynthetic electrochemical cell (/spl mu/PEC) was fabricated and tested as a potential self-sustained power source for mobile MEMS devices such as remote sensors. The /spl mu/PEC harnesses the natural metabolic processes (photosynthesis and respiration) of the blue-green algae Anabaena to convert light energy into electrical power. In both light and dark conditions, the /spl mu/PEC produced an open-circuit potential of over 400 mV, a current density of over 30 /spl mu/A/cm/sup 2/ with a 10-/spl Omega/ load, and a power density of 61 /spl mu/W/L. These results are generally comparable to the microfabricated microbial fuel cell by Chiao et. al. (2002), though lower than those of micro solar cells and of macroscale MFCs and PECs. However, unlike solar cells, the /spl mu/PEC has the ability to produce power in the dark; and unlike methanol or microbial fuel cells, no fuel is required.
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