The Electric Cactus

 

Can a cactus generate electricity? Why cactus? Why not other plants? How can we know it?

What are the benefits people will consume from having such this innovation?

This entire question might be in your head. I will share a little bit information with you.

As we know, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy. In the presence of visible light, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂0) are transformed into glucose and O_{2 .}

Fortunately, we can use the products of photosynthesis which are glucose and O₂ in making biofuel cell. What can biofuel cell do? Actually, the biofuel cell can generate power of electricity.

This has been tested, when the cell was inserted in a cactus leaf, it could generate power of 9 μW per cm². Means that, every cm²  of cactus leaf could generate 9 μW of power. However, the power is depends on the surface area of the cactus. As large the size of cactus, as much as the power will produce.

Besides that, the electrical current produced by the biofuel cell increased when a desk lamp is turned on. There is more light energy for the photosynthesis. But when the lamp is switched off, the current went down. What does it mean? Means that, the electrical current will increased when there is more light.

People might wonder why use cactus? This is because, cactus can live in the extreme with a little water and higher proportional of light intensity. Thus, because of it, a stronger illumination accelerated the production of glucose and O₂ (photosynthesis), so more fuel was available to operate the cell.

Hopefully you get the concept of cactus electricity. As I mentioned earlier, the product of photosynthesis will produce biofeul cell that will generate power of electricity.