Enhancing output Current of Biological Photovoltaic Cells Using the Electrical Programming Technology

• Published in: 2024 IEEE International Conference on Applied Electronics and Engineering, ICAEE 2024
• Main Author: Mohammed A.H.; Muhamad M.; Hussin H.; Alias N.E.; Wahab Y.A.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85204768403&doi=10.1109%2fICAEE62924.2024.10667628&partnerID=40&md5=d436817b370326c787420a624e5b4052

This paper presents a novel method for amplifying the output current of biological photovoltaic cells using electrical programming technology. Instead of developing new electrode designs or employing different photoautotrophic organisms, the method involves building an electrically programmed transconductance amplifier with MOS devices. This amplifier operates at a voltage equal to or less than the open-circuit voltage of the cell. The new approach significantly enhances power conversion efficiency, increasing the maximum power output from 30μW to 5.84mW, a gain of 20 times. This method demonstrates that effective power generation from biological photovoltaic cells can be achieved by using an array of cells to maximize the output power. © 2024 IEEE.