Project R-10691

Charge and energy transfer between cyanobacteria and semiconductor electrodes under gamma-irradiation (Research)

Photosynthesis is one of the most fundamental biochemical processes in Nature and one of the driving forces of Life. For the past century or more, natural and also artificial photosynthesis have been envisaged for the production of energy carriers (biofuels) and other added-value products. Today, photosynthetic 'green organisms' (plants, algae and cyanobacteria) and their photosynthesis components are deemed essential for Space exploration in terms of waste recycling and oxygen- and food supply. However, there is much concern about the intensity of ionizing radiation in space (UV, gamma, etc) because of its damaging effects on the highly complex photosynthetic apparatus, be it in natural or artificial format. Research at SCK•CEN and by others has shown that some cyanobacteria are well equipped to cope with higher levels of gamma radiation and suggests that photosynthesis might be even better under certain radiation conditions. We want to investigate the radiation damage tolerance and photosynthetic capacity of such species by attaching their cells or cell components to semiconductor electrodes and obtaining electrochemical data before, during, and after gamma irradiation.

01 January 2020 - 31 December 2023