We developed a scalable and stackable bio-solar panel that integrated significantly improved miniature bio-solar cells in an array. A 3 × 3 bio-solar panel was fabricated by installing nine bio-solar cells with a common microfluidic channel. The bio-solar panel continuously generated electricity from cyanobacterial photosynthetic and respiratory activities under day–night cycles. The open circuit voltages from individual bio-solar cells differed by less than 2% to the cell units in the array. The connection of the nine cells in series generated 5.59 μW maximum power and 1.28 V operating voltage under a 200 kΩ external resistor, which is the highest-reported numbers of any existing small-scale bio-solar cells. Bio-solar cell performance has improved significantly through miniaturizing innovative device architectures and connecting multiple miniature cells in a panel.

Xuejian Wei is currently working toward the MS degree in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at State University of New York, Binghamton. He is mainly engaged in the research of biological solar cells.

Seokheun Choi received the BS & MS degrees in Electrical engineering from Sungkyunkwan University, Korea, in 2003 and 2004, respectively. After graduating, he was a research engineer at LG Chem, Ltd. from 2004 to 2006. He earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University in 2011. From 2011 to 2012, he was a research professor in the School of Electric & Computing Systems at the University of Cincinnati. He is currently an assistant professor with the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at State University of New York, Binghamton. He has published over 50 journal and conference articles, two book chapters, and one book and he holds two U.S. patents. His areas of interest are BioMEMS/Biosensors/Biofuel Cells.