A Hybrid System to Enhance the Rate of Biological Fuel Production Under Solar Illumination
The new technology is a novel procedure and has several advantages: Enhanced performance of devices based on photocurrents in photosynthetic complexes. Increased yield of chemical energy that can be produced using a smaller number of reaction centers. Minimized energy loses from the system due to fast separation of the electron-hole pair. Increased absorption in the range of wavelength from the solar spectrum by the hybrid system as compared to natural photosynthetic systems.
The most important application of the technology would be in the fabrication of sensitive sensor devices and efficient photocells. The technology can facilitate the application of plasmonic nanostructures to control the optical response of complex biomolecules. It would also help in improving the design and the functioning of artificial light-harvesting systems. Related areas such as optical spectroscopy, cell imaging, information processing, nanophotonics and biosensors could greatly benefit from the technology. The worldwide requirement for biofuels is expected to grow at an aggressive rate of more than 12.3% from 2007 through 2013. Also, the current statistics show that the global photocell market stands at a staggering $7.3 billion.
Stage of Development:A hybrid system has been modeled which is composed of photosynthetic molecules along with metal nanoparticles and nanoshells. Plasmon resonances were shown to greatly enhance the photochemical productionin the system. First experiments performed with antenna chlorophylls are very successful and show strong enhancement of generation of electron-hole pairs inside photoactive chlorophylls.Future Development:The increased photochemical production comes at the cost of a reduced quantum yield. Future efforts could beconcentrated on improving the quantum yield ratio of the process. The usage of larger nanocrystals could increasethe electron production in the system.
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