Enzymatic fuel cell

Abstract

Provided is a battery comprising a first compartment, a second compartment and a barrier separating the first and second compartments, wherein the barrier comprises a proton transporting moiety.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to batteries, including fuel cells and re-chargeable fuel cells, for use in powering electrical devices.

[0002] Batteries such as fuel cells are useful for the direct conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. Fuel cells are typically made up of three chambers separated by two porous electrodes. A fuel chamber serves to introduce a fuel, typically hydrogen gas, which can be generated in situ by “reforming” hydrocarbons such as methane with steam, so that the hydrogen contacts H2O at the first electrode, where, when a circuit is formed between the electrodes, a reaction producing electrons and hydronium (H3O+) ions is catalyzed. 2H2O+H22H3O++2e−  (1) A central chamber can comprise an electrolyte. The central chamber acts to convey hydronium ions from the first electrode to the second electrode. The second electrode provides an interface with a recipient molecule, typically oxygen, found in the third chamber. The recipient molecule rece...

Examples

example

[0054] The test apparatus consisted of a 5 ml reaction vessel which held the fuel and into which copper or other electrodes were dipped. The electrodes were in turn connected to a high impedance voltmeter for open circuit voltage measurements or to a low impedance ammeter for short circuit current measurements. Various test configurations were employed to establish a baseline with which to measure performance of the cell. Testing was done by dipping electrodes in the fuel solution and measuring current and / or voltage as a function of time.

[0055] The reaction which drove the cell was the oxidation of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH) which is catalyzed by the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOD) in the presence of glucose. This reaction yielded NAD+, a proton (H+) and 2 free electrons.

H2O+NADH=NAD++H3O++2e−

The reaction toke place at one electrode, which was a metallized plastic strip coated with the enzyme GOD. This half-reaction was coupled through an external circuit to t...

[0001] The present invention relates to batteries, including fuel cells and re-chargeable fuel cells, for use in powering electrical devices.

[0002] Batteries such as fuel cells are useful for the direct conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. Fuel cells are typically made up of three chambers separated by two porous electrodes. A fuel chamber serves to introduce a fuel, typically hydrogen gas, which can be generated in situ by “reforming” hydrocarbons such as methane with steam, so that the hydrogen contacts H2O at the first electrode, where, when a circuit is formed between the electrodes, a reaction producing electrons and hydronium (H3O+) ions is catalyzed. 2H2O+H22H3O++2e−  (1) A central chamber can comprise an electrolyte. The central chamber acts to convey hydronium ions from the first electrode to the second electrode. The second electrode provides an interface with a recipient molecule, typically oxygen, found in the third chamber. The recipient molecule rece...

Examples

example

[0054] The test apparatus consisted of a 5 ml reaction vessel which held the fuel and into which copper or other electrodes were dipped. The electrodes were in turn connected to a high impedance voltmeter for open circuit voltage measurements or to a low impedance ammeter for short circuit current measurements. Various test configurations were employed to establish a baseline with which to measure performance of the cell. Testing was done by dipping electrodes in the fuel solution and measuring current and / or voltage as a function of time.

[0055] The reaction which drove the cell was the oxidation of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH) which is catalyzed by the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOD) in the presence of glucose. This reaction yielded NAD+, a proton (H+) and 2 free electrons.

H2O+NADH=NAD++H3O++2e−

The reaction toke place at one electrode, which was a metallized plastic strip coated with the enzyme GOD. This half-reaction was coupled through an external circuit to t...

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