Scientists turned rice plants into tiny power sources and reduced methane from paddy fields

In the rice fields, the soil around plant roots is home to countless microorganisms that feed on organic matter released by the plants. As microorganisms break down this organic matter, they release electrons that can produce a small electrical current. Researchers are investigating whether this process can be harnessed without affecting normal rice growth. According to the research published in ‘Energy Conversion and Management’, scientists used plant microbial fuel cells with rice plants to generate electricity while also reducing methane emissions. The system used activated biochar as an electrode and reached a peak power density of 106.67 mW per square metre of anode area.How did the researchers test electricity generation from rice plantsThe study used plant microbial fuel cells, or PMFCs, to turn chemical energy into electricity through a bio-electrochemical process. The system was tested during the ‘Aman’ rice-cropping season from June to September 2020. The experiment lasted 110 days in a greenhouse at Khulna University. The researchers used the local rice variety Aloron and compared the rice-based PMFC with a sediment microbial fuel cell. The PMFC produced higher voltage t...