Thai researchers immobilized living Chlorella vulgaris TISTR 8580 at different densities on aluminum electrodes as a triboelectric layer for solid-solid and solid-liquid interactions, reporting peak output of 110 V and 330 nA.
Key findings
- The system reached 110 V and 330 nA and proposed living microalgae as an extension of the triboelectric series. Immobilization was linked to electron transfer and metabolism, but long-term viability remained a central challenge requiring optimized light and nutrients.
Why this matters globally
Biohybrid devices could scavenge wasted mechanical energy while exploring algal carbon capture, with more plausible use in ultra-low-power sensing than bulk generation, provided cell maintenance does not consume more energy than is harvested.
Thai researcher contribution
Chulalongkorn University, KMITL, and Walailak University combined chemical technology, functional materials, algal cultivation, and BCG engineering using a Thai culture-collection strain.
Limitations to consider
The abstract does not report maximum power at matched load, energy per cycle, frequency, area, cycling stability, or net energy balance. The 110 V and 330 nA values should not be multiplied if measured under different conditions. Cell decay, contamination, and aluminum corrosion remain unknown.