Scientists create living wallpaper to convert sunlight into power  
An energy-harvesting wallpaper that acts as both a solar panel and a battery has been developed by scientists at Imperial College London. The paper, produced on a regular inkjet printer, comprises carbon nanotubes and an ink made of photosynthetic cyanobacteria. A small section of it can be used to power an LED light bulb. The so-called biosolar panel could lead to the development of disposable power supplies and medical sensors.

Scientists have developed energy harvesting wallpaper by printing circuitry and cyanobacteria onto paper. The incredible discovery was completed by researchers at the Imperial College London. The wallpaper acts as both a battery and solar panel and even just a small section of the printed paper could be enough to power an LED light bulb. The wallpaper is created using an off the shelf inkjet printer.

Cyanobacteria convert energy using photosynthesis

First carbon nanotubes are printed onto paper. Then an ink made from cyanobacteria is inkjet printed onto the carbon. The still alive bacteria perform photosynthesis which allows the wallpaper to harvest electrical energy. Cyanobacteria are a type of bacteria that get their energy via photosynthesis. Photosynthesis as we know is the process used by plants to convert light into chemical energy in a way that is stored for future use.