A groundbreaking development at Binghamton University has led to the creation of artificial plants capable of both cleaning air and generating electricity.
This inventive project was spearheaded by Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and PhD student Maryam Rezaie.
The duo explored the potential of artificial leaves that mimic natural plant processes to enhance indoor air quality and produce small amounts of electricity.
These artificial plants utilize photosynthesis, a process by which they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen (O2).
Remarkably, they also possess the ability to generate electricity, capturing public attention and signaling a potential step forward in environmental technology.
The artificial leaves employ biological solar cells paired with photosynthetic bacteria, resulting in a dual-purpose innovation.
In creating these artificial plants, researchers began by assembling five biological solar cells into artificial leaves.
While originally conceived for fun, the project quickly demonstrated notable abilities in carbon dioxide capture and oxygen generation.
The unique design allows these artificial leaves to carry out photosynthesis and generate an open circuit voltage of 2.7 volts, with a power output reaching up to 140 microwatts.
This energy is enough to power some portable electronics, offering a decentralized and sustainable energy solution.
Addressing a critical issue, the artificial plants also significantly reduce indoor CO2 levels.
According to the research, while natural plants can reduce CO2 by about 10%, these artificial counterparts bring about a 90% reduction, lowering CO2 concentration from 5000 to 500 parts per million.
This impressive reduction is crucial as indoor spaces become increasingly susceptible to poor air quality due to pollution sources like building materials and cooking fumes.
One of the project’s long-term goals is to improve the power generation capabilities of these artificial plants.
Currently, the generated power serves as a secondary benefit, but the team envisions enhancing it to more than one milliwatt, making it viable for charging devices such as mobile phones.
Additionally, there are plans to integrate energy storage systems like lithium-ion batteries or supercapacitors to capitalize on the electricity produced.
Professor Choi emphasizes the post-COVID-19 shift in awareness towards indoor air quality.
Many sources inside homes can emit toxins, heightening the need for effective purification systems.
Choi and Rezaie’s artificial plants offer a glimpse into an eco-friendly future where such hazards might be mitigated through sustainable technology.
Looking ahead, the research team intends to refine the artificial plant system further.
Through the incorporation of various bacterial species and maintenance-free nutrient delivery methods, these innovative plants could become a staple in homes, offering dual functionality as air purifiers and energy generators.
This development represents a significant leap towards healthier indoor environments and sustainable living in urban settings.