Stretchable Textile-Based Membraneless Microfluidic Microalgae-Microbial Solar Cell

A textile-based membraneless microfluidic microalgae-microbial solar cell (μmMSC) was developed for low-cost, flexible, and sustainable power generation. Unlike conventional systems, the proposed device utilizes a textile substrate, enabling mechanical flexibility and simplified fabrication. Microfluidic channels were patterned via screen printing using hydrophobic Ecoflex, and conductive electrodes were fabricated using PEDOT:PSS combined with Ag₂O and carbon nanotubes (MWCNT/SWCNT). At the anode, Synechocystis sp., Bacillus subtilis, and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 were vertically co-cultured to enhance synergistic bioelectrochemical activity, while Scenedesmus obliquus was employed as a microalgae-based biocathode. Under these conditions, the μmMSC achieved a maximum current density of 144 μA cm^-2 and a peak power density of 17 μW cm^-2. These results demonstrate that the proposed textile-based μmMSC provides a promising platform for flexible bio-solar energy systems, with potential for wearable applications, while offering improved sustainability and scalability compared to conventional rigid device.