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Photon management for augmented photosynthesis

2016; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 7; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/ncomms12699

2041-1723

Matthew D. Ooms, Cao‐Thang Dinh, Edward H. Sargent, David Sinton,

Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms

Microalgae and cyanobacteria are some of nature’s finest examples of solar energy conversion systems, effortlessly transforming inorganic carbon into complex molecules through photosynthesis. The efficiency of energy-dense hydrocarbon production by photosynthetic organisms is determined in part by the light collected by the microorganisms. Therefore, optical engineering has the potential to increase the productivity of algae cultivation systems used for industrial-scale biofuel synthesis. Herein, we explore and report emerging and promising material science and engineering innovations for augmenting microalgal photosynthesis. Photosynthetic microalgae could provide an ecologically sustainable route to produce solar biofuels and high-value chemicals. Here, the authors review various optical management strategies used to manipulate the incident light in order to increase the efficiency of microalgae biofuel production.