Microalgae-Enabled Artificial Plants for Indoor Air Quality Improvement and Electricity Generation

This study introduces a bioengineered artificial plant featuring microalgae within artificial leaves connected via microfluidic channels to a plant stem. The microalgae harness solar energy to transform carbon dioxide (CO
2
) and water into oxygen (O
2
), thereby enhancing indoor air quality and releasing electrons during photosynthesis. These electrons provide energy for low-power devices through a biosolar cell with a microalgae-included anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane. Encased in a gas-permeable PDMS membrane, the artificial leaves facilitate gas exchange while microporous hydrogels, enriched with Fe
2
O
3
nanoparticles, sustain the microalgae with water and nutrients, optimize CO
2
capture, and facilitate extracellular electron transfer. A single leaf with five biosolar cells notably decreases indoor CO
2
(from 416 ppm to 363 ppm) and increases O
2
(from 13.2 ppm to 19.1 ppm), generating a peak power density of 46 μW/cm
²
. Integrating five leaves magnifies the overall CO
2
reduction, O
2
output, and power generation.