The world craves innovations, humanity can no longer live without technologies, today for almost everything that two centuries ago was made by hand, there is a machine to do better than man. With the advancement of industries, pollution of the atmosphere and consumption of electricity increased, which for a long time was generated by hydroelectric and thermoelectric plants. However, with the greater demand and struggle to reduce pollution, other forms of electrical production were developed, such as: wind, solar, waves and seas, but have you ever imagined it possible to have electricity through living plants?
This is what the company Plant-e founded from the derivation of the Environmental Technology sub-department at the University of Wageningen, The Netherlands, has developed. Structured to be dynamic, innovative, focusing on its projects and allying with others that are already on the market, in order to always look for materials that reflect its sustainable characteristics in its suppliers and partners, all without leaving aside the social responsibility shaped by an international team.
The company developed vessels with two electrodes called anode and cathode, separated by a non-conductive synthetic membrane.
The figure below illustrates what happens on the ground.
- Plants do photosynthesis, absorbing CO? and releasing O?. In this process it produces organic matter, sugars (C6H12O6).
- These sugars are transported by the plant.
- Part of this matter is deposited in the soil by the roots.
- Nearby microorganisms break down this molecule by releasing H + protons and electrons.
- These electrons are captured by the anodes (negative pole).
- The electrons are transported by a titanium wire and can be used with electricity, to increase the voltage there is a smart chip with this function.
- For the electrons to be transported, it needs the cathode (positive pole), when the electrons reach this point it comes in contact with the oxygen and the proton from step 4, transforming into water.
This system has a long service life, since it is made of inert materials, having only fragile electrical circuits, but these are easy to find and replace. Maintenance is simple, however, the customer still has the option to hire support from the company itself.
Today, the company has several projects under development with the objective of increasing this energy production, thus being able to meet the needs of regions of the planet where there is still no electricity, but with a large agricultural area. A system is also being developed that will allow plant-based water treatment plants, when this technology is applied close to the roots to produce electricity. However, a system that can combine with hydroponics and aquaponics is not yet being developed.
For those interested in interning at Plant-e, you should send an email to office@plant-e.com with a resume and a letter of motivation clearly explaining your background, the duration of the internship and what you would like to do in the company.
Autor:
José Lucas Sebrian da Silva
