Micro Photosynthetic Power Cell Array for Energy Harvesting: Bio-Inspired Modeling, Testing and Verification

Abstract

A micro-photosynthetic power cell (µPSC) generates electricity through the exploitation of living photosynthetic organisms through the principles of photosynthesis and respiration. Modeling such systems will enhance insights into the µPSC that can be employed to design real-time applications from µPSC. In this study, the bio-inspired electrical equivalent modeling of the array of µPSC is elucidated. The model is validated for array configurations of the micro-photosynthetic power cells. The developed arrayed model foresees the steady-state response at various electrical loadings. The polarization characteristics of the current-voltage (I-V) and current-power (I-P) characteristics of the array of µPSC in series and parallel, and their combinations in series and parallel connected µPSCs were validated with the experimental results. From this analysis, it is predicted that the arraying of the µPSC in the combination of series and parallel is the optimal array strategy to obtain the desired voltage and current from the µPSC such that it can be used to power real-time low and ultra-low power devices.