A miniaturized bionic ocean-battery mimicking the structure of marine microbial ecosystems

Marine microbial ecosystems can be viewed as a huge ocean-battery charged by solar energy. It provides a model for fabricating bio-solar cell, a bioelectrochemical system that converts light into electricity. Here, we fabricate a bio-solar cell consisting of a four-species microbial community by mimicking the ecological structure of marine microbial ecosystems. We demonstrate such ecological structure consisting of primary producer, primary degrader, and ultimate consumers is essential for achieving high power density and stability. Furthermore, the four-species microbial community is assembled into a spatial-temporally compacted cell using conductive hydrogel as a sediment-like anaerobic matrix, forming a miniaturized bionic ocean-battery. This battery directly converts light into electricity with a maximum power of 380 μW and stably operates for over one month. Reproducing the photoelectric conversion function of marine microbial ecosystems in this bionic battery overcomes the sluggish and network-like electron transfer, showing the biotechnological potential of synthetic microbial ecology. Marine ecosystems are dominated by microbial communities. Inspired by the photoelectric conversion feature of the marine ecosystems, the authors design a four-species microbial community to mimic primary producer, primary degrader, and ultimate consumers, and show its ability to convert light into electricity for over one month.