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Maria Li: using algae to power up the internet

a person with short black hair and clear glasses smiling in front of a grey wall
  • Written byYana Kasa
  • Published date 10 May 2022
a person with short black hair and clear glasses smiling in front of a grey wall
Maria Li, 2022 MA Biodesign, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photography: Kat Smith

When MA Biodesign student Maria first started in applied biology, she thought there was something missing from the research she was seeing.

“Some bacteria that can detect chemicals by changing in colour” she explains, “scientists usually will apply their traditional ways of thinking and use this kind of bacteria to detect toxins in an environment. The change of colour in the bacteria can be an indicator. But when you think more creatively, about other fields, such as textile, this can potentially be a more environmentally friendly way to dye fabric.”

She found that they are problem-and-solution based - focusing on identifying the problem and using tradition ways of thinking to solve it – without thinking of alternatives. Whereas for Maria, the alternatives are where the excitement is.

a person using a pipet to pour green liquid into science beakers
a person with short black hair and clear glasses smiling in front of a grey wallMaria Li, 2022 MA Biodesign, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photography: Kat Smith

This way of thinking has inspired Maria’s current project: using micro algae to generate synthetic power and power up our internet. Every email or text we send consumes energy, which might be coming from coal or wind power generators – Maria wants us to think if the power for our internet can be regenerative, not only consuming it but also giving something back to our environment. Micro algae might be the answer.

“We can get energy out of micro algae because micro algae is just a plant - a miniature plant. So, it can perform photosynthesis, absorb solar energy, and water, and turn it into electron flow as well as food for themselves. Those electron flows can become electricity to power up our computers, appliances and so on.”

“It’s looking promising because of the recently published paper by researchers from the University of Cambridge,” Maria continues: “a group of researchers produced a micro algae cell – which was used as a battery to power up a micro-computer that had temperature sensors. The micro-computer was then able to generate enough energy to send the data online.”

“This project is more about raising important questions. To make more people to think and imagine a future that is better for all beings. Not only humans, our Mother Earth too.”

— Maria Li
A person in a white lab coat in a lab opening a box
Maria Li, 2022 MA Biodesign, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photography: Kat Smith

For Maria, this is an exploratory project, it’s not just short-term research. Maria is approaching this as an initiative, aiming to continue with the experimentation. The experimentations aiming to answer the overarching question: how can we design regenerative internet? Perhaps a regenerative energy source is a good start. Engaging the general public is at the heart of this, raising awareness of their digital footprint and working towards building a better future.

“This project is more about raising important questions. To make more people to think and imagine a future that is better for all beings. Not only humans, our Mother Earth too.”