A Photovoltaic Device Using an Electrolyte Containing Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

The performance of bio-photovoltaic devices with a monolayer of the immobilized photosynthetic reaction center (RC) is generally low because of weak light absorption and poor charge transfer between the RC and the electrode. In this paper, a new bio-photovoltaic device is described in which the RC is dissolved in the electrolyte of an electrochemical cell. The charges generated by the illuminated RC are transferred to electrodes via mediators. The difference between the reaction rates of two types of mediator at the electrode surfaces determines the direction of the photocurrent in the device. Experimental results show that the magnitude of the photocurrent is proportional to the incident light intensity, and the current increases nonlinearly with an increase in the RC concentration in the electrolyte. With further optimization this approach should lead to devices with improved light absorption.Applied Science, Faculty ofScience, Faculty ofNon UBCElectrical and Computer Engineering, Department ofMicrobiology and Immunology, Department ofReviewedFacult

Recycling marine plastic waste to energy storage devices

In this study, a method was developed for the management of marine plastic waste via the production of activated carbon. The specific surface area, micropore volume, and mesopore volume of marine-plastic-based activated carbon prepared at selected temperatures and using selected activator weight ratios were measured, and the specific capacitance and supercapacitor electrode performance were evaluated. At an activation temperature of 800 °C and a raw material to 8 M KOH weight ratio of 1:7, a specific capacitance of 201F/g and a high surface area of 2389 m2/g were obtained. Therefore, marine plastic waste-based activated carbon can be used as the electrode material in supercapacitors

Toward electroactive catheter design using conducting interpenetrating polymer networks actuators

International audienc

Evaluating performance of wet unencapsulated PEDOT trilayer actuators operating in air and water

International audienc

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) as tool for tuning electromechanical properties of electrochemical actuator operating in open-air

International audienc

Characterization and dynamic charge dependent modeling of conducting polymer trilayer bending

International audienc

Ion Transport in Polymer Composites with Non-Uniform Distributions of Electronic Conductors

International audienc

Ionic EAPs in open-air: linear actuation and "dry" devices

International audienc

Ionic EAPs in open-air: linear actuation and "dry" devices

International audienc

Ionic skin and other ionic devices

International audienc