Originally published December 20 2004
Microchip biofuel cells could replace batteries in electronic devices
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Someday we may finally be rid of batteries for powering laptop computers and portable electronic devices. The replacement? A special kind of fuel cell that runs on alcohol.
The battery life of electronic devices, particularly mobile devices, has been the bane of existence for travelers.
While there have been giant leaps in processing speed and power for handhelds and laptops, there have been only tiny steps with power sources.
While fuel cells may eventually be the key to longer life, there is much hope that research on magnetic RAM will extend battery life.
Researchers from Saint Louis University, who earlier this year developed a fuel cell using enzymes to generate electricity from ethanol, have built a microchip-based version of the device.
The researchers coated the carbon anode, or positive electrode, of the fuel cell with polymethylene green, an electocatalyst, then added a nafion membrane containing the immobilized enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.
The biofuel cell showed an electrical potential of 0.34 volts and current density of 53 microamps per square centimeter, according to the researchers.
The microchip biofuel cell could eventually be used in place of rechargeable batteries.
Instead of recharging by plugging into a wall outlet like batteries, the biofuel would be recharged by adding a few milliliters, or thousandths of a liter, of alcohol.
The micro fuel cell could also be used to power sensors and labs-on-a-chip.
The researchers' prototype consists of a 200-micron-wide, three-centimeter-long channel in a plastic chip.
The bottom of the channel is lined with the carbon anode, which is covered by the electric catalyst and membrane.
The researchers tested the fuel cell by measuring the electricity generated as one microliter, or millionths of a liter, per minute of ethanol flowed through the channel.
A drop of water contains about 50 microliters.
Most fuel cells catalyze reactions with metals, which are relatively expensive and not renewable.
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