Wiring liposomes and chloroplasts to the grid with an electronic polymer

Wiring liposomes and chloroplasts to the grid with an electronic polymer 2 Abstract We present a novel thylakoid based bio-solar cell capable of generating a photoelectric current of 0.7 µA/cm 2. We have introduced an electro conductive polymer, PEDOT-S, to the thylakoid membrane. PEDOT-S intervenes in the photosynthesis, captures electrons from the electron transport chain and transfers them directly across the thylakoid membrane, thus generating a current. The incorporation of the electro conductive polymer into the thylakoid membrane is therefore vital for the function of the bio-solar cell. A liposomal model system based on liposomes formed by oleic acid was used to develop and study the incorporation of PEDOT-S to fatty acid membranes. The liposomes allow for a more controllable and easily manipulated system compared to the thylakoid membrane. In the model system, PEDOT-S could successfully be incorporated to the membrane, and the developed methods were applied to the real system of thylakoid membranes. We found that a bio-compatible electrolyte and redox couple was required for this system to function. The final thylakoid based bio-solar cell was evaluated according to performance and reproducibility. We found that this bio-solar system can generate a low but reproducible current. Schematic of the thylakoid based bio-solar cell system. The successful incorporation of PEDOT-S into the thylakoid membrane with the addition of a redox couple results in the extraction of photosynthetic electrons. The bio-solar cell generates a photo-electric current of 0.7 µA/cm Wiring liposomes and chloroplasts to the grid with an electronic polymer 3 Acknowledgements This project would not have become a success and one of the best times during my school time without the help of some people. These people I want to tribute with this acknowledgement. Olle Inganäs my examiner. Thank you for allowing me to try out some of my own ideas and also for your help in forming the project. Niclas Solin my primary supervisor. Thanks for your expertise in materials, methods and the guidance you have given me throughout this project. The Biorgel group. Thank you for having taught me techniques and machines that I could not use before. Fredrik Sjöström my opponent. Thank you for getting through and giving me good advices on improvements on my report. To my friends. Thank you for all the good laughter and for always being prepared for a good discussion. Family. Thank you for supporting me and keeping an interest in my projects. …