Discovering a clean energy source has been a scientific goal for decades at this point. While some are looking for ways to produce nuclear fusion energy, others are looking in different directions for carbon-neutral energy solutions. However, scientists may have gone a step further and created a carbon-negative energy source.
according to New research paper Published in the magazine EnergiesResearchers have managed to create a renewable energy source using algae. This process hijacks photosynthesis, the natural process plants use to convert carbon dioxide into food.
The researchers found that they were able to extract energy from the plant by suspending the algae in a 2 mm solution inside the anode and cathode chamber and separating them by a honeycomb-shaped proton exchange membrane. Furthermore, the power source is a completely carbon-neutral technology.
This is because the only byproduct it produces is water, and the entire process begins by absorbing carbon dioxide. This means that it is more than just a zero-emissions technology, it actually takes carbon out of the atmosphere and does not release any more of it.
The whole process works by capturing the electrons that algae generate during photosynthesis and harnessing them to generate electricity. Until now, researchers have only discovered a maximum possible terminal voltage of 1.0 V from a single small photovoltaic cell.
This means that scaling up a carbon-negative energy source to power a city would be a very different matter. However, scientists believe that with enough research and development, we could see its scope expanded to the point where entire cities might be able to tap into the energy source, thus helping to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
And because the researchers aren’t using any dangerous gases or microfibers, they won’t need to worry about additional disposal issues in the long run — something we’re currently dealing with given how difficult it is to dispose of the silicon computer chips used to help control many current power systems.
