Biofuel Cell Vaporizing Layer for Enzyme Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biofuel cells face challenges in achieving high output due to inefficient fuel supply and enzyme leaching, as they rely on liquid fuel solutions, which hinder fuel penetration and enzyme stability at the electrode surface.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell design that incorporates a fuel-vaporizing layer to supply vaporized fuel to the anode, along with a cathode capable of proton conduction, preventing enzyme leaching and enhancing reaction efficiency through vaporized fuel delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid fuel solution is supplied to the electrode, then the fuel can be delivered to the electrode surface, but the fuel penetration into electrode interior is inefficient and enzyme leaching occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation outputVSAvoidenzyme stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies phase transition by vaporizing the liquid fuel solution into gas phase before supplying it to the electrode. This phase change from liquid to vapor enables the fuel to penetrate deeply into the porous electrode interior without causing enzyme leaching, as the vapor can diffuse through the electrode structure and condense at the reaction sites, maintaining high output while preventing enzyme degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fuel from liquid to vapor phase. By controlling the temperature and pressure parameters to vaporize the fuel solution, the system achieves efficient fuel delivery to the electrode interior while the vapor phase prevents enzyme leaching, thus improving both power generation output and enzyme stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If liquid fuel solution is used, then fuel can be supplied to the electrode, but fuel penetration into electrode interior is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel supply simplicityVSAvoidfuel utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition from liquid to vapor to improve fuel penetration. The vaporized fuel can easily diffuse into the porous structure of the electrode interior, ensuring thorough fuel utilization throughout the electrode volume, which significantly enhances fuel utilization efficiency while maintaining simple fuel supply operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If enzyme is immobilized on electrode surface, then catalytic reaction can occur, but enzyme leaching degrades reaction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction efficiencyVSAvoidenzyme retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs phase transition of fuel from liquid to vapor phase to prevent enzyme leaching. The vaporized fuel does not create liquid flow that would cause enzyme detachment from the electrode surface, thereby maintaining enzyme retention and stable reaction efficiency over time while continuing to provide effective catalysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enables efficient power generation by ensuring vaporized fuel reaches the electrode interior, increasing output and maintaining enzyme stability, thus improving reaction efficiency and preventing output degradation from enzyme leaching.

Implementation Method 1

a fuel-vaporizing layer formed through vaporization of a fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a cathode connected to the anode in a state in which protons can be conducted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

generates electricity through progress of an oxidation-reduction reaction using an enzyme as a catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

progress of an oxidation-reduction reaction using an enzyme as a catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS8956772B2Fuel cell, and power supply device and electronic apparatus using the same

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

To provide a fuel cell that can perform efficient power generation through a simple fuel supply. There is provided a fuel cell that generates electricity through progress of an oxidation-reduction reaction using an enzyme as a catalyst, the fuel cell including at least a fuel-vaporizing layer formed through vaporization of a fuel; an anode to which a vaporized fuel is supplied from the fuel-vaporizing layer; and a cathode connected to the anode in a state in which protons can be conducted. In the fuel cell, since a fuel is supplied to an electrode in a vaporized state, a vaporized fuel is supplied to an inner portion of the electrode and a reaction sufficiently proceeds at the inner surface of the electrode, which can achieve high output due to efficient power generation. Furthermore, even if an enzyme or the like is immobilized on an electrode, the enzyme or the like can be prevented from leaching out into a liquid fuel because a fuel is supplied to the electrode in a vaporized state, which can prevent a decrease in the output caused by leaching out of the enzyme or the like.