Engineers from the University of Cambridge have successfully powered a computer using just algae, ambient light and water.
The system, which is just about the size of an AA battery, takes advantage of a type of non-toxic algae called Synechocystis. This algae harvests energy from the Sun through photosynthesis. An aluminium electrode then takes the tiny electrical current that’s produced and uses it to power the Arm Cortex M0 microprocessor.
Moreover, the algae didn’t just power the microprocessor for a few hours or days. In fact, it’s been continuously powering the CPU for over a year and counting.
The engineers say their experiment could lend itself to future Internet of Things (IoT) developments, reliably and renewably powering devices and sensors in remote locations that don't have other power sources. That’s because Arm CPUs, like the one powered by the algae, are widely used in IoT devices.
“The growing Internet of Things needs an increasing amount of power, and we think this will have to come from systems that can generate energy, rather than simply store it like batteries,” said Professor Christopher Howe from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Biochemistry, joint senior author of the paper.
He added: “Our photosynthetic device doesn’t run down the way a battery does because it’s continually using light as the energy source.”
The beauty of the setup is that the algae never needs feeding because it obtains everything it needs through photosynthesis. More amazing is that the researchers found that the algae produced energy even during periods of darkness. They believe this is possible because the algae still processes some of its food when there’s no light, generating an electrical current.
“We were impressed by how consistently the system worked over a long period of time – we thought it might stop after a few weeks but it just kept going,” said Dr Paolo Bombelli from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Biochemistry, first author of the paper.
The research was funded by the National Biofilms Innovation Centre and the study is published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.
Looking for your next technology, science or engineering role? Maybe you’re just starting out in your career? Polytec is here to help you find the perfect position for you. Browse our current vacancies now >>> https://www.polytec.co.uk/jobs/
Image credit: Paolo Bombelli
Cambridge’s life sciences sector is set to receive a huge boost after BioMed Reality announced it is investing £850m building 800,000 sq. ft. of additional high-quality, purpose-built lab space in the city.
A Cambridge semiconductor startup is looking to capitalise on the growing demand for sleek, region-specific smartphones with its innovative, frequency agile, tunable RF front-end chip.
Cambridge Enterprise, the technology arm of the University of Cambridge, has announced the semi-finalists in the 2021 Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition.
Over 200 doctoral students will benefit from more than £24 million of funding to work on pressing research challenges with UK businesses through this year’s Industrial Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology studentships.
Single-use plastics could one day become a thing of the past, thanks to a new material developed by Cambridge scientists which imitates spider silk.
Formula One (F1) is to fully fund an undergraduate from an underrepresented background to study for an engineering degree at the University of Cambridge.
Scientists in Cambridge have developed a world first test that can detect the presence of glioma, a type of brain tumour, using a patient’s urine or blood plasma.
A battery breakthrough by scientists at the University of Cambridge could lower laptop, phone and other lithium-ion-powered gadgets charging time to five minutes or less.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (Monday 21st June) unveiled plans to cement the UK’s status as a “global science superpower”.
UK chip designer Arm has co-founded a new start-up accelerator in Cambridge, the aim of which is to help fledgling “deep tech” firms grow into the tech giants of tomorrow.
team of researchers and engineers from Cambridge has developed a next-generation lithium-ion battery, designed to meet the density and cost requirements for future electric vehicles (EVs). Now, the team is embarking on the road to commercialization.
From the 17th of May, coronavirus restrictions across England, Wales and most of Scotland will ease, with indoor entertainment and attractions, hospitality venues and holiday accommodation all set to reopen. As a result, many employers are planning recruitment drives, with some looking to hire at the fastest rate in eight years, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) says.