Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation Describes the mechanisms of and potential for using microorganisms and plants as renewable power resources Bridging the knowledge gap between the fundamentals and the technological advances in biological photosynthesis-assisted energy generation, Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation explores the various diverse light-harvesting biological systems for electricity generation and explains the fundamentals and applications from lab-scale to in-field. The text discusses the fundamentals of electron transfer mechanisms in photosynthetic systems, basic principles of bioelectricity generation, and materials involved in the construction of fuel cells, including not only the impact of higher plants, but also anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and microalgae on the performance of photosynthesis-assisted power generation systems. A timely resource, the text features case studies on emerging topics such as mosses in power generation on green roofs and photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cells for antibiotics and dyes removal, along with discussion of sustainability issues when scaling up bio-photo-electrochemical systems. Edited by two highly qualified and accomplished academics with significant research experience in the field, Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation includes information on: Role of functional materials involved in photosynthesis-assisted power generation and non-noble electrocatalysts as air cathodes in biocells Electricity generation and intensified synthesis of nutrients by plant-based biofuel cells using duckweeds as biocatalysts Algae-based microbial fuel cells, photosynthetic bacteria-based microbial fuel cells, and bryophyte microbial fuel cell systems Progress and recent trends of application of low-energy consuming devices and IoT based on photosynthesis-assisted power generation Plant-based microbial fuel cells for bioremediation, biosensing, and plant health monitoring With full coverage of an attractive renewable energy generation system, Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation is an essential resource on the subject for researchers and scientists interested in alternative renewable energetics and photosynthesis-assisted energy generation processes utilizing microorganisms, algae, plants, and other bioinspired materials.

Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation Describes the mechanisms of and potential for using microorganisms and plants as renewable power resources Bridging the knowledge gap between the fundamentals and the technological advances in biological photosynthesis-assisted energy generation, Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation explores the various diverse light-harvesting biological systems for electricity generation and explains the fundamentals and applications from lab-scale to in-field. The text discusses the fundamentals of electron transfer mechanisms in photosynthetic systems, basic principles of bioelectricity generation, and materials involved in the construction of fuel cells, including not only the impact of higher plants, but also anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and microalgae on the performance of photosynthesis-assisted power generation systems. A timely resource, the text features case studies on emerging topics such as mosses in power generation on green roofs and photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cells for antibiotics and dyes removal, along with discussion of sustainability issues when scaling up bio-photo-electrochemical systems. Edited by two highly qualified and accomplished academics with significant research experience in the field, Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation includes information on: Role of functional materials involved in photosynthesis-assisted power generation and non-noble electrocatalysts as air cathodes in biocells Electricity generation and intensified synthesis of nutrients by plant-based biofuel cells using duckweeds as biocatalysts Algae-based microbial fuel cells, photosynthetic bacteria-based microbial fuel cells, and bryophyte microbial fuel cell systems Progress and recent trends of application of low-energy consuming devices and IoT based on photosynthesis-assisted power generation Plant-based microbial fuel cells for bioremediation, biosensing, and plant health monitoring With full coverage of an attractive renewable energy generation system, Photosynthesis-Assisted Energy Generation is an essential resource on the subject for researchers and scientists interested in alternative renewable energetics and photosynthesis-assisted energy generation processes utilizing microorganisms, algae, plants, and other bioinspired materials.

This technical book explores current and future applications of solar power as an unlimited source of energy that earth receives every day. Photosynthetic organisms have learned to utilize this abundant source of energy by converting it into high-energy biochemical compounds. Inspired by the efficient conversion of solar energy into an electron flow, attempts have been made to construct artificial photosynthetic systems capable of establishing a charge separation state for generating electricity or driving chemical reactions. Another important aspect of photosynthesis is the CO2 fixation and the production of high energy compounds. Photosynthesis can produce biomass using solar energy while reducing the CO2 level in air. Biomass can be converted into biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol. Under certain conditions, photosynthetic organisms can also produce hydrogen gas which is one of the cleanest sources of energy.

Photosynthesis has been an important field of research for more than a century, but the present concerns about energy, environment and climate have greatly intensified interest in and research on this topic. Research has progressed rapidly in recent years, and this book is an interesting read for an audience who is concerned with various ways of harnessing solar energy.Our understanding of photosynthesis can now be said to have reached encyclopedic dimensions. There have been, in the past, many good books at various levels. Our book is expected to fulfill the needs of advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in branches of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and bioengineering because photosynthesis is the basis of future advances in producing more food, more biomass, more fuel, and new chemicals for our expanding global human population. Further, the basics of photosynthesis are and will be used not only for the above, but in artificial photosynthesis, an important emerging field where chemists, researchers and engineers of solar energy systems will play a major role.

The book provides an overview on various microorganisms and their industrialization in energy conversion, such as ethanol fermentation, butanol fermentation, biogas fermentation and fossil energy conversion. It also covers microbial oil production, hydrogen production and electricity generation. The content is up to date and suits well for both researchers and industrial audiences.

How solar could spark a clean-energy transition through transformative innovation—creative financing, revolutionary technologies, and flexible energy systems. Solar energy, once a niche application for a limited market, has become the cheapest and fastest-growing power source on earth. What's more, its potential is nearly limitless—every hour the sun beams down more energy than the world uses in a year. But in Taming the Sun, energy expert Varun Sivaram warns that the world is not yet equipped to harness erratic sunshine to meet most of its energy needs. And if solar's current surge peters out, prospects for replacing fossil fuels and averting catastrophic climate change will dim. Innovation can brighten those prospects, Sivaram explains, drawing on firsthand experience and original research spanning science, business, and government. Financial innovation is already enticing deep-pocketed investors to fund solar projects around the world, from the sunniest deserts to the poorest villages. Technological innovation could replace today's solar panels with coatings as cheap as paint and employ artificial photosynthesis to store intermittent sunshine as convenient fuels. And systemic innovation could add flexibility to the world's power grids and other energy systems so they can dependably channel the sun's unreliable energy. Unleashing all this innovation will require visionary public policy: funding researchers developing next-generation solar technologies, refashioning energy systems and economic markets, and putting together a diverse clean energy portfolio. Although solar can't power the planet by itself, it can be the centerpiece of a global clean energy revolution. A Council on Foreign Relations Book

New and Future Developments in Catalysis is a package of seven books that compile the latest ideas concerning alternate and renewable energy sources and the role that catalysis plays in converting new renewable feedstock into biofuels and biochemicals. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic processes will be discussed in a unified and comprehensive approach. There will be extensive cross-referencing within all volumes.The use of solar energy during various catalytic chemical processes for the production of an array of chemical products is the theme of this volume. Photocatalysis is a topic of increasing importance due to its essential role in many of today's environmental and energy source problems. The use of solar energy for catalytic reactions results in a carbon dioxide–neutral process. All photocatalytic processes and the future developments in this area are discussed, including an economic analysis of the various processes. - Offers in-depth coverage of all catalytic topics of current interest and outlines future challenges and research areas - A clear and visual description of all parameters and conditions, enabling the reader to draw conclusions for a particular case - Outlines the catalytic processes applicable to energy generation and design of green processes

In the context of wastewater treatment, Bioelectrochemical Systems (BESs) have gained considerable interest in the past few years, and several BES processes are on the brink of application to this area. This book, written by a large number of world experts in the different sub-topics, describes the different aspects and processes relevant to their development. Bioelectrochemical Systems (BESs) use micro-organisms to catalyze an oxidation and/or reduction reaction at an anodic and cathodic electrode respectively. Briefly, at an anode oxidation of organic and inorganic electron donors can occur. Prime examples of such electron donors are waste organics and sulfides. At the cathode, an electron acceptor such as oxygen or nitrate can be reduced. The anode and the cathode are connected through an electrical circuit. If electrical power is harvested from this circuit, the system is called a Microbial Fuel Cell; if electrical power is invested, the system is called a Microbial Electrolysis Cell. The overall framework of bio-energy and bio-fuels is discussed. A number of chapters discuss the basics – microbiology, microbial ecology, electrochemistry, technology and materials development. The book continues by highlighting the plurality of processes based on BES technology already in existence, going from wastewater based reactors to sediment based bio-batteries. The integration of BESs into existing water or process lines is discussed. Finally, an outlook is provided of how BES will fit within the emerging biorefinery area.