Bioelectricity production was achieved using human neuronal-like cells called SH-SY5Y cell line in single-chamber air-cathode fuel cells. Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s medium was used because the carbon source. SH-SY5Y cells grown on carbon cloth were used as anode within the experiments. The voltage was 96 mV using 980 U external resistance. Voltage levels decreased when the medium was replaced with medium containing 4.5 g L1 of glucose. Maximum power density, current density and Coulombic efficiency were measured as 12 mW m2, 0.013 mA cm2 and 15%, respectively. Anode biofilm was examined employing a multipotentiostat, and cyclic voltammetry results showed redox activity. The output of the cell was connected to a circuit to power LEDs, by using the circuit as a voltage-controlled current source. The results demonstrated for the primary time that human neuronal-like cells can generate bioelectricity during a cell to power LEDs.
Written by Dr.Ahad Ali Shah