CeNT Seminar (20.11.2025): Biophotovoltaics at the interface of biology, materials science, and clean energy technologies
18 11 2025
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The Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw invites to a seminar by:
prof. Huseyin Bekir Yildiz,
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, KTO Karatay University, Konya, Turkiye
Title: Biophotovoltaics at the interface of biology, materials science, and clean energy technologies
Date: 20.11.2025, Thursday
Time: 11:00 (Central European Time)
Host: prof. Joanna Kargul
The seminar will be held in the 00.142 auditorium
Abstract:
Biophotovoltaic (BPV) systems have been investigated for their ability to generate photocurrent and hydrogen through the photosynthetic and respiratory metabolism of cyanobacteria and microalgae. Enhanced electron-transfer processes have been observed when conductive biopolymers, graphene-based composites, and nanoparticle-modified electrodes are incorporated into BPV architectures. Under controlled illumination, hydrogen evolution on photocathode surfaces has been quantified using gas chromatographic analysis, while photocurrent production has been monitored under zero-bias or low-bias conditions to characterize the contributions of biological and material-based components.
In addition to energy generation, BPV platforms have been widely employed as photoelectrochemical biosensors for pesticide detection in aqueous environments. Concentration-dependent decreases in photocurrent have been recorded upon exposure to herbicides and insecticides such as diuron, bromoxynil, chlorpyrifos, and basagran, owing to their inhibitory effects on Photosystem II. Chronoamperometric and polarization-based measurements have enabled the differentiation of inhibition patterns, while oxygen-evolution behavior and electron-transport kinetics have been analyzed to elucidate the mechanistic basis of BPV sensing performance.
The seminar will additionally cover digitally printed BPV configurations using PEDOT:PSS–cellulose, graphene-biopolymer inks, and hydrogel–microorganism layers deposited onto paper or textile substrates. These printing approaches have enabled scalable fabrication, reduced material consumption, and the creation of flexible BPV devices. Stability and shelf-life tests have been performed under extended illumination, and photocurrent retention has been evaluated to assess the feasibility of digitally printed BPV systems for low-cost, sustainable energy-harvesting and biosensing applications.
Ongoing research efforts continue to focus on improving material design, electron-transfer efficiency, and device stability, as well as expanding the applicability of BPV systems for sustainable energy production and sensing. This seminar will present an overview of these advancements and the underlying mechanisms that enable the development of next-generation BPV technologies.