Breakthrough: Fuel Cells Using Enzymes from Bacteria
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 04.10.06
Researchers have developed a hydrogen fuel cell that uses enzymes to power real-world devices. The enzymes used are isolated from naturally occurring bacteria that have evolved to use hydrogen in their metabolic process. The unique features of these enzymes are that they are highly selective and tolerant of gases that poison traditional fuel cell catalysts, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. Since the enzymes can be grown they represent a cheap and renewable alternative to the expensive platinum based catalysts used by others in hydrogen fuel cells.
Dr Roger Welch from University of Oxford said: "We are delighted to see the invention powering a useful device, in this case a digital watch, and believe that this marks a milestone in the development process to improve the power density and lifetime of the enzymes. We are very excited about the commercial and environmental benefits of these latest developments since it has the potential to provide the world with a clean and cost effective way of locally generating electricity".
:: Via: The Energy Blog via Fuel Cell Today
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I wonder which company will start implementing and marketing this technology. When it starts I want to invest.
Two words... power density
This has actually been around for a couple of years (various enzymatic catalysts), but the notorius problem with them is power densities that are orders of magnitude (yes plural) smaller than are useful for anything. Putting a picture of a car there inspires only a pipe dream.
Pls review my bio solar hydrogen production web page http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/h2energy4all
Use in any way u wish
Best Regards
W J Wooldridge
hi there my name is Kuldeep and im at the moment studying biology A Level in the UK. Can someone please tell me how and where enzymes are obtained from? What we use them for? Moral and ethical implications of enzymes and what they are used for.
Please can someone help me and get back to my email address
k_s_sanger@hotmail.co.uk
i need to know with 1 or 2 days maximum.
I have a popular electronics from the mid 60's that said that the future was a bacteria battery that relied on the same princaple. 40+ years later, not one product. A fun science fair project at best.