Microbial solar cells: applying photosynthetic and electrochemically active organisms

Microbial solar cells (MSCs) are recently developed technologies utilizing solar energy to produce electricity or chemicals. MSCs use photoautotrophic microorganisms or higher plants to harvest solar energy, and use electrochemically active microorganisms in the bioelectrochemical system to generate electrical current. Here, we review the principles and performance of various MSCs, in an effort to identify the most promising systems as well as the bottlenecks and potential solutions towards „real life. MSC application. We give an outlook on future applications based on the intrinsic advantages of MSCs, showcasing specifically how these living energy systems can facilitate the development of an electricity-producing green roof.This is a "Post-Print" accepted manuscript, which has been published in "Trends in Biotechnology". This version is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Netherlands License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Please cite this publication as follows: 2011 Trends in Biotechnology Microbial solar cells: applying photosynthetic and electrochemically active organisms. David P.B.T.B. Strik, Ruud A. Timmers, Marjolein Helder, Kirsten J.J. Steinbusch, Hubertus V.M. Hamelers, , Cees J.N. Buisman. Trends in Biotechnology 29 (1), 41-49 You can download the published version at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2010.10.00

Development of a family of large-scale biothechnological processes to desukphurise industrial gases

[Abstract] In this paper an overview is given of a new biotechnological process to remove hydrogen sulphide from gas streams. This process is jointly developed by Wageningen University, Delft University of Technology, Paques B.V. and Shell Global Solutions International B.V. In 1992, the first full-scale installation for H2S removal from biogas was taken into operation whilst in 2002 the first unit for high pressure natural gas desulphurisation was started-up. The removal of sulphur dioxide from flue gasses is feasible as well and in 2006 the first unit went on-stream in China. Currently, more than 75 full-scale plants are in operation worldwide. The formed bio-sulphur has a hydrophilic nature which enables its re-use, e.g. as a fertilizer or fungicide