A few weeks ago, we discussed a method for generating electricity by using a biofuel cell and the power of photosynthesis from a cactus plant; therefore, when selecting this week’s topic, I thought it only appropriate to elaborate on a less prickly approach at harnessing power from plants.

Researchers from the Tel Aviv University’s Department of Biochemistry have proposed a new model for “green” energy that involves the isolation of minute crystals of the Photosystem I (PSI) super complex from the pea plant. The PSI complexes in a plant function as pigment-protein complexes that give plants the ability to form chemical energy from light energy.  Once isolated, illumination of the crystals will allow for their usage as small battery chargers.

Unlike generating electricity from a cactus, which involves inserting a biofuel cell into the plant to use the products from photosynthesis to form an electrical current, PSI complexes have to be extracted from the pea plant leaves in order to transform light energy to electrical energy.

While studying the “nano-machinery” behind plant’s energy source, scientists discovered that the isolated pea plant PSI complexes can be packed into crystals and placed onto gold covered plates to produce a voltage of 10 volts.

Although Professor Nathan Nelson’s break-though will meet the needs of some low-power solar energy, he hopes to learn more about the structure of the PSI nano-machine to ultimately solve the world’s energy problem.

Discussion Question: What types of experiments might researchers execute to better understand the process of photosynthesis to generate electrical energy from plants on a bigger scale?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100304112237.htm
Abstract: http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/22/2_MeetingAbstracts/281