🔋 Photoelectrochemical Properties of Melanin
- Melanin as an Energy Transducer
Melanin functions much like chlorophyll. It absorbs lower-energy electromagnetic radiation (including infrared), excites electrons to higher energy states, and initiates reactions that convert this input into chemical energy—comparable to photosynthesis in plants.
- Water-Splitting and Ionic Behavior
Melanin demonstrates the extraordinary ability to split water molecules, releasing energy and participating in redox (oxidation-reduction) cycles. This behavior mirrors that of photosystem II in plants, suggesting that melanin can:
Oxidize water (split H₂O),
Release electrons and protons,
Reconstruct water molecules while generating electric current in the process.
- Independence from Photon Energy
A key discovery is that melanin’s electron-transfer efficiency is independent of photon energy. This means melanin doesn’t need high-energy photons (like UV or visible light) to function—it works efficiently even with low-energy radiation like infrared. This defies traditional limitations seen in most photovoltaic systems.
⚡️ Melanin-Based Prototype Energy Cells
Researchers created a simple prototype:
Electrolyte: 1.3% melanin in distilled water
Electrodes: Copper and aluminum
Wiring: Silicone-insulated copper wires
The prototype generated electricity almost immediately after being assembled, with stable output sustained over 10,000 hours, comparable to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Welding was avoided because it interfered with melanin’s delicate photoelectrochemical behavior.
🌱 Potential Applications
- Solar Energy Conversion
Melanin can be engineered into organic photovoltaic systems, offering a sustainable, flexible, and low-cost alternative to traditional solar panels.
Its semiconducting, amorphous structure makes it suitable for flexible devices.
- Bioelectronic Circuits
Due to its biocompatibility and energy properties, melanin could be key in implantable devices, wearable sensors, and neuromorphic computing.
- Alternative Energy Research
The study directly suggests further testing of melanin combined with conducting polymers (e.g., PPV) or C60 fullerenes, pointing toward hybrid organic solar cells.
🧠 Conclusion
“We claim that photosynthesis exists not only in vegetables, but in animals too.”
This bold statement is substantiated by melanin’s ability to convert light into usable bioelectric energy—even outside the body, making it a revolutionary element for energy science and Moorish health science innovation.
