Updated Electrochemical Model of Micro Photosynthetic Power Cells

This paper provides an interdisciplinary explanation of the operation of micro-photosynthetic cells (μ-PSCs). In this work, an advanced electrochemical model of μ-PSCs is proposed and validated. The developed electrochemical model for the simulation of μ-PSCs is based on knowledge accumulated from different fields such as chemical, biological and electrical sciences and on practical results. The photosynthesis and respiration of algae cells, as well as the effects of the irradiance, the day and night cycle, the temperature, and the pH of the solution, are included in the model. From the electrochemical model developed, a circuit level representation is derived. The validated electrochemical model is used to determine the maximum power point operation of μ-PSCs under various operating conditions. This provides an insight into designing efficient energy harvesters for μ-PSCs.