Artificial Photosynthetic Energy CompleX
Our product replicates photosynthetic functions found in nature via a biomimetic system that implements manganese complexes that oxidizes water, yielding hydrogen ions & electrons that create an electric field that can be exploited for electrical energy.
Team Concept
We envision the creation of a solar cell built upon the fundamentals of the photosynthetic mechanisms of plants that currently supply the source of all energy to sustain life. With a simple yet effective design, our system seeks to supplant all existing energy infrastructures (and the numerous negative consequences associated with such)and provide a degree of accessibility, efficiency, and ubiquity unrealizable up until now. This is the Artificial Photosynthetic Energy CompleX - APEX - the pinnacle of renewable energy for the future.
The central component of our concept is the water-oxidizing complex (and boy is it complex...its empirical formula alone is a handful: Mn4 Ca1OxCl1–2(HCO3)y.) employed ubiquitously by plants in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis in which water is hydrolyzed to O2 (given off), H+, and e-, the last of which is pulled along an electron transport chain to pump the H+ across a membrane to generate an electrochemical gradient that powers ATP synthesis. We hope to utilize this unique enzyme's activity to likewise produce H+ and e-, which we will then separate by application of an electric field. The controlled release of electrons to flow down the electric potential towards the H+ will generate an electrical current as the energy output.
Now the water-oxidizing complex needs the input of excited electrons to "kick-start" the hydrolysis of water. In plants, these electrons are supplied by chlorophyll molecules when struck by sunlight. We seek to reproduce this electron supply by implementing photovoltaic cells, which can likewise give off electrons by the photoelectric effect. And since the water-oxidizing complex will be directly affixed to the solid state matrix that comprises the photovoltaic cell, there will be no problems with electron transfer.
More concretely, our device will take the form of a box, coated on the outside of the top with photovoltaic cells. On the inside, directly underneath the cells, we will affix water-oxidizing complexes. There will be two chambers across which the electric field is applied, so that electrons will migrate into one and protons (H+s) into the other. One electrode from each chamber will provide the output terminals to be connected to a capacitor for a smooth and controlled current. The inside of the box will be largely filled with water (the only necessary input apart from the energy required to sustain the electric field). Vents for the produced oxygen and perhaps a compartment for the evolved H2 (as the electrons recombine with the H+s when they flow through the circuit) are also additional considerations
Team Description
The APEX team is comprised of Sam Wu and Darren Zhu, two high school seniors at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics who have developed strong passions in scientific research in the context of technological entrepreneurship. Sam has completed extensive research in bioplastics degradation, while Darren has conducted thorough studies in organic spintronics fabrication, and together, their experiences have yielded in a synergistic partnership with the goal of designing an innovative platform for clean and powerful energy production. Ultimately, Sam and Darren hope that the concepts envisioned with their project will achieve a paradigm shift in the development of novel and effective renewable energy technologies.
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