Quantitative Photoresponse of the First Photosynthetic Biomaterials: Physical Measurements and Analysis of Microalgae Systems

Abstract

Herein, results of photoinduced pH oscillatory phenomena of microalgae in laboratory systems are presented. Microalgae are an extremely complex biomaterial in which light-induced quantum mechanical processes induce changes in the surrounding aqueous environment (medium). A phenomenological understanding of the photoresponse by a quantitative study of pH oscillations of the medium is provided. The biochemical processes of algal metabolism and photosynthesis and the impact of light on a nitrate-enriched medium are examined. pH variations in the external medium and the impact on future applications of microalgae are presented. External pH dominantly impacts conductivity in the solution of algal biophotovoltaic devices. This is the first dynamic study of the light-induced pH behavior of microalgae with direct relevance to carbon capture, biophotovoltaic electricity generation, and quantum photosynthesis.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Comments

Published online: 24 Feb 2021

Keywords and Phrases

algae; biophotovoltaics; nitrate metabolism; pH control; quantum photosynthesis

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0370-1972; 1521-3951

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2021 The Authors, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2021

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