Binghamton University Professor Sean Choi and PhD student Maryam Rezaie have been repurposing their research about bacteria-powered biobatteries into a new idea for artificial plants that can do everything a natural plant can do at a more efficient rate.

Maryam Rezaie said, "It is porous enough to trap the CO2 and also form we make photosynthesis. We embedded the cyanobacteria so that they can capture CO2 and generate oxygen, such as natural photosynthesis that exists in our ecosystem on the surface of the ocean." 

The artificial plant can produce enough electricity to work like a portable charger...

In controlled experiments, the plant has achieved a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide levels — far surpassing the 10% reduction seen with natural plants.

It's also made with sustainable materials and lab-grown bacteria.

Rezaie said, "Cyanobacteria are the main source of nutrition. Light and Humidity are enough for keeping them alive."

And with this plant having passed all of the tests so far, they hope to expand on their research and make these even bigger and better.

Rezaie said, "We are thinking about the more equipment and facilities to provide, the bigger than that one. And also, we can embed that supercapacitor inside of that one to store energy and provide more power and voltage for the bigger electrical application."

In its current research stage, the plant can remain effective for up to three months. Still, the researchers plan to create larger prototypes in the coming years and expand the control room to test its effectiveness in larger capacities.

you can also find more information on the Artificial Plant on the university website .