معرفی
Paolo Bombelli is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, working within the Howe Group led by Professor Chris Howe. He is affiliated with the Cambridge Global Food Security interdisciplinary research center, specializing in Plant Biology and Food Security and Food and Health research themes.
Dr. Bombelli's research focuses on developing bio-photovoltaic (BPV) systems and plant bio-electrochemical systems (plant-BES), exploring how photosynthetic organisms like cyanobacteria, microalgae, and vascular plants can generate electrical current in electrochemical setups. His work spans biological electron transport mechanisms, microfluidic BPV devices, electrogenic activity of plants and mosses, and solar-powered hydrogen generation. He has pioneered significant advancements in power output from BPV systems, achieving over 5-fold increases in power density through micro-scale devices.
Analysis of Dr. Bombelli's publications reveals a consistent focus on optimizing bio-photovoltaic systems across multiple dimensions: electrode materials engineering, microfluidic device design, genetic modification of photosynthetic organisms, and exploration of diverse plant species for energy generation. His research bridges fundamental biological mechanisms with practical engineering applications in renewable energy.
His scientific contributions have been recognized through notable awards:
- The People's Choice Icon award (Anglia Ruskin 2012)
- Lápiz de Acero award, Colombia, South America, 2012
Dr. Bombelli has established extensive collaborations across academia and industry, working with researchers from Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Cape Town, and commercial partners including Anaero Technology, Lamda Stretch, and LEITAT. He has also led translational projects that bridge laboratory research with public engagement through collaborations with designers on the Moss Table, MossFM (the world's first plant-powered radio), and the Plant to Power (P2P) solar hub at Cambridge Botanical Garden.
His laboratory work is conducted within the Howe Group at the Department of Biochemistry's Hopkins Building, where he contributes to the group's broader mission of applying photosynthesis research to renewable energy production and environmental solutions, including the innovative Moss at the Zoo (M@Z) project that demonstrates moss-based bioelectrochemical systems to visitors at the London Zoo.
