Cambridge researchers develop living algae system to power low-energy devices

Manufacturing disposable batteries is an energy-intensive process and requires the mining of minerals, which degrades local habitats and ecosystems. University of Cambridge researchers with the algal clockResearchers at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge have developed a living algae system that can power low-energy devices without harming the plant. A team led by Paolo Bombelli at the University of Cambridge has been working on an algal system that could potentially replace disposable batteries. The team has figured out a way to tap into some of those electrons and use it to power low-energy devices. The power generated by the algal system isn’t high enough to run large modern-day devices.