A Cyanobacterial Artificial Leaf for Simultaneous Carbon Dioxide Reduction and Bioelectricity Generation

We created a microfluidic cyanobacterial artificial leaf that significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) in the atmosphere while converting light to electrochemical energy. 3D printed cyanobacteria, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, on pre-defined microfluidic reservoirs capture solar energy to convert CO
2
and water into O
2
and carbohydrates, which they subsequently use for their respiratory reaction, re-producing water and only about half that CO
2
. Simultaneously, the bacterial cells placed on an electrode in the microfluidic leaf produce bioelectricity from bacterial photosynthetic and respiratory activities over day-night cycles, offering a clean and renewable power source with self-sustaining potential. The proposed biological concept will provide a more innovative, more self-sustaining and scalable, cleaner, and extremely cheaper solution for both critical issues, the global warming and energy crisis.