Abstract: Disclosed are methods using neutral red to mediate the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy. Electrically reduced neutral red has been found to promote cell growth and formation of reduced products by reversibly increasing the ratio of the reduced:oxidized forms of NAD(H) or NADP(H). Electrically reduced neutral red is able to serve as the sole source of reducing power for microbial cell growth. Neutral red is also able to promote conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy by facilitating the transfer of electrons from microbial reducing power to a fuel cell cathode.

Abstract: Methods of improving a performance parameter of a microbial fuel cell are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include heating an electrode and exposing the heated electrode to ammonia gas to produce a treated electrode characterized by an increased positive surface charge on the electrode surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell may be used to supplement power sources for aircraft equipment. A fuel cell to provide electrical power in an aircraft may include a replaceable fuel source, an information output, and a power output to output power to a line replaceable unit of the aircraft. A method of supplementing electrical power in an aircraft may include providing a fuel cell in the aircraft, the fuel cell comprising a replaceable fuel cartridge and a replaceable by-product cartridge, and supplementing an electrical power system of the aircraft with power generated by the fuel cell by outputting power.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell (100) includes an anode compartment (110) including an anode (115) and anolyte (120). The anolyte (120) comprises a plurality of in-vivo cells (125) mixed with a plurality of electrically conducting nano or micro-scale fibers (128), wherein at least a portion of the plurality of electrically conducting fibers (128) are in electrical contact with a surface of the anode (115). A cathode compartment (140) includes a cathode (145) and a catholyte (150). A cation-exchange membrane (155) is disposed between the anode compartment (110) and the cathode compartment (140).

Abstract: A battery or fuel cell that includes at least one electrode having a biological component. The biological component may be formed on the cathode and may consist of a material including mitochondria.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen from bio-oxidisable material is disclosed herein. The process comprises the steps of—introducing the bio-oxidisable material into a reactor provided with an anode and a cathode optionally separated by a cation exchange membrane and containing anodophilic bacteria in an aqueous medium;—applying a potential between the anode and cathode 0.05 and 1.5 volt, while maintaining a pH of between 3 and 9 in the aqueous medium; —collecting hydrogen gas at the cathode. The hydrogen production process can be intermittently switched to an electric power generation stage (biofuel cell) by adding oxygen to the cathode and separating the anode and cathode spaces by means of a cation exchange membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved microbial fuel cell for treatment of fluid, especially liquid streams containing a substrate or electron donor for micro-organisms which comprises a membrane (2) separating the cathode (3) and the anode (1), this membrane (2) surrounding the anode (1).

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible hybrid biofuel cell power strip for use in low power applications (less than one Watt) such as trickle charging to extend the charge of conventional batteries or to power devices such as microsensors, micropumps and miniaturized medial devices. The power strip anode comprises carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that transfer electrons directly from the active center of an oxidation-reduction (redox) enzyme to a flexible, conductive anode substrate. This allows the building of surface architectures with pore structures customized for specific applications and enzyme substrate-containing media. The cathode comprises a catalytic layer of transition metal nanoparticle catalyst in contact with air or other source of oxygen. The flexibility of the power strip allows it to be shaped into a wide variety of conformations and applications, including attachment to or implantation within living organisms.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating electricity utilizing a light-powered microbial fuel cell that includes a light-admitting reaction chamber containing a biological catalyst, such as a photosynthetic bacteria, in a growth medium, an anode and cathode disposed upon or within the reaction chamber, and a conductive material in electrical communication between the anode and cathode. The anode includes an oxidation catalyst, while the cathode includes a reduction catalyst that is accessible to oxygen gas. Preferably, the devices and methods utilize a single light-admitting chamber within which both cathodic and anodic reactions take place.

Abstract: A bio-battery includes a biomolecular energy source, a first electrode and a second electrode. In some configurations, a bio-battery may also include a first cell containing the first electrode and the biomolecular energy source, and a second cell having a reducible substrate and the second electrode. The first cell can be in ionic communication with the second cell, for example by a proton exchange membrane. Various biomolecular energy sources can be used, including proton donor molecules or electrolytically oxidizable molecules. For example, the biomolecular energy source can be selected from the group consisting of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH), Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) and 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (FADH).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to overcoming a problem of rate-limiting diffusion of a substrate toward an enzyme, which is a constituent of a microorganism, while ensuring proliferation of the microorganism, in a microbial electrode using a microorganism as an electrode catalyst. A microbial electrode is prepared using a microorganism expressing an enzyme on the surface layer of the cell membrane or cell wall thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biocatalytic direct alcohol fuel cell comprising an anode chamber, one or more cathode chambers, and an ion exchange membrane between the chambers. The anode chamber contains a biocatalyst for oxidation of the fuel, and the cathode chamber contains a chemical catalyst, a biocatalyst or a combination thereof for reduction of oxygen or a corresponding oxidant.

Abstract: The invention provides a microbial fuel cell having a dissimilatory metal-reducing microbe expressing exogenous or native ATPase subunits, the ATPase subunits assembling into an active ATP synthase and consuming ATP in a futile cycle. The dissimilatory metal-reducing microbe can include an organism selected from the organisms set forth in Table 1. The one or more exogenous ATPase subunits can include a subunit selected from the ATPase subunits set forth in Tables 2 or 3. Also provided is a microbial fuel cell having a dissimilatory metal-reducing microbe expressing one or more exogenous genes encoding a gene product that promotes ATP consumption, the gene products of the one or more exogenous genes having an activity that reduces ATP synthesis, increases ATP consumption or both. The one or more gene products can increase ATP consumption through a futile cycle or through altering a metabolic reaction directly involved in ATP synthesis.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with an anode and a cathode. The anode is in electrical communication with an anode enzyme and the cathode is in electrical communication with a cathode enzyme. The anode enzyme is preferably an oxidase or a dehydrogenase. The cathode enzyme is a copper-containing enzyme, such as a laccase, an ascorbate oxidase, a ceruloplasmine, or a bilirubin oxidase. Preferably, the cathode enzyme is operable under physiological conditions. Redox polymers serve to wire the anode enzyme to the anode and the cathode enzyme to the cathode. The fuel cell can be very small in size because it does not require a membrane, seal, or case. The fuel cell can be used in connection with a biological system, such as a human, as it may operate at physiological conditions. By virtue of its size and operability at physiological conditions, the fuel cell is of particular interest for applications calling for a power source implanted in a human body, such as a variety of medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an in vitro enzymatic process that effectively converts renewable polysaccharides into high yields of hydrogen at mild conditions, using only enzymes and water. The process comprises a number of enzymes: (1) phosphorylases, (2) phosphoglucomutases, (3) hydrogenases, and (4) enzymes involved in the pentose-phosphate pathway. Preferred embodiments of the process produce only hydrogen and carbon dioxide as net products, translating into an inexpensive method of generating hydrogen in very large quantities from low-cost feedstocks.

Abstract: Devices for production of electricity and/or hydrogen gas are provided by the present invention. In particular, microbial fuel cells for production of electricity and modified microbial fuel cells for production of hydrogen are detailed. A tube cathode is provided which includes a membrane forming a general tube shape. An anode is provided which has a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/m3. In addition, the anode is substantially non-toxic to anodophilic bacteria. Combinations of particular anodes and cathodes are included in microbial fuel cells and modified microbial fuel cells.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell configuration of the invention includes a substrate particularly formulated for a microbial fuel cell configured to produce electricity and/or a modified microbial fuel cell configured to produce hydrogen. A substrate formulation according to one embodiment includes a solid biodegradable organic material in a package porous to bacteria. A microbial fuel cell provided according to embodiments of the present invention includes an anode, a cathode, an electrically conductive connector connecting the anode and the cathode, a housing for an aqueous medium, the aqueous medium in contact with the anode, and a solid form of a biodegradable organic substrate disposed in the aqueous medium, the solid form of a biodegradable organic substrate formulated to support electron generation and transfer to the anode by anodophilic bacteria over a selected minimum period of time.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a housing provided with an anode-side supply inlet for supplying a material for fuel, an anode and a cathode accommodated in the housing to sandwich a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a layer containing a biochemical catalyst which decomposes the material for fuel to generate fuel, the layer being formed between the anode-side supply inlet and the anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with anode enzyme disposed on the anode and cathode enzyme is disposed on the cathode. The anode is configured and arranged to electrooxidize an anode reductant in the presence of the anode enzyme. Likewise, the cathode is configured and arranged to electroreduce a cathode oxidant in the presence of the cathode enzyme. In addition, anode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the anode to transduce a current between the anode and the anode enzyme and cathode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the cathode to transduce a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme.

Abstract: A miniaturized microbial fuel cell is described deriving electrical power from the biological activity of microbes, typically the metabolism of glucose by baker's yeast. Microfabrication techniques are used to miniaturize the components as well as the overall fuel cell and are capable of integration with other biomedical and implantable devices. Substantial reductions in both the size and the cost of implantable systems are thereby achievable. Electrode structures are used that facilitate electron transfer and power production giving favorable power densities in a miniature fuel cell. In addition, the microbial fuel cell of the present invention extracts glucose or other metabolite(s) from the ambient body fluids as its fuel, thus achieving a renewable, long-term power source for implantable biomedical devices.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrode carrying immobilized redox enzymes such that electric charge can flow between an electron mediator group to the enzyme cofactor by the use of boronic acid or a boronic acid derivative that acts as a linker moiety between the cofactor and the electron mediator group. The invention also concerns devices and systems that make use of the electrode of the invention, such as bio-sensors and fuel cells, the electrode being one of the components thereof.

Abstract: The employment of metallized bacterial cellulose in the construction of fuel cells and other electronic devices is disclosed. The fuel cell includes an electrolyte membrane comprising a membrane support structure comprising bacterial cellulose, an anode disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode disposed on an opposite side of the electrolyte membrane. At least one of the anode and the cathode comprises an electrode support structure comprising bacterial cellulose, and a catalyst disposed in or on the electrode support structure.

Abstract: An electrochemical device for moving particles covered with a protein is provided. The device includes at least two electrodes that are in contact with a liquid containing the protein-covered particles and a circuit that generates a potential difference in a range that does not cause electrolysis of the liquid between the electrodes. The particles are moved by electrophoresis in the direction of the arrangement of the electrodes. The invention provided herein has numerous applications, including use in a microorganism concentration condensing device, a blood component induction device, and/or a blood component induction method, and/or an electric appliance that decreases the concentration of microorganisms present on the surface of a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A biogenerator, having a biomotor portion and a generator portion, suitable for use with, in and/or as an implantable device. A method of inducing an electromagnetic force in a coil using a biomotor.

Abstract: A system for recapturing electrical energy from a waste stream is disclosed. Further, features of the invention can be used to reduce the energy required for waste stream processing. Various energy sources are identified within the waste stream, and source-specific modules are provided for converting the various sources into electrical energy.

Abstract: A method of enhancing performance of liquid-type fuel cells by adding additives to the liquid fuel. For example, hemoglobin, surfactants, oxygen scavengers, and chelating agents, may be added to the fuel to resolve problems such as CO poisoning of catalyst, wettability of electrodes, and electrode poisoning, and therefore enhance the performance of the fuel cell. The additives may be added individually based on needs, or mixed in a desired ratio for a given type of fuel cell. The additives may be used on a regular basis to improve fuel efficiency and prolong the life span of the fuel cells. The additives may also be pre-packed for field use when high quality fuel is not available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power from voltage gradients at sediment-water interfaces or within stratified euxinic water-columns is provided. Natural voltage gradients typically exist at and about sediment-water interfaces or in isolated water bodies. One electrode (anode) is positioned in the sediment or water just below the redox boundary and the other electrode (cathode) is positioned in the water above the redox boundary over the first electrode. The anode is lower in voltage than the cathode. Current will flow when the electrodes are connected through a load, and near-perpetual generating of worthwhile power may be sustained by the net oxidation of organic matter catalyzed by microorganisms.

Abstract: Fuel mixing control arrangements are provided for fuel cell power plants (10) operating on multiple fuels (22, 24, 26). A fuel delivery system (16) supplies hydrogen-rich fuel (20) to the cell stack assembly (CSA) (12) after controlled mixing of a primary fuel (22) and at least a secondary fuel (24), each having a respective “equivalent hydrogen (H2) content”. The relative amounts of the primary fuel (22) and secondary fuel (24) mixed are regulated (18, 34, 36) to provide at least a minimum level (LL) of hydrogen-rich fuel having an equivalent hydrogen content sufficient for normal operation of the CSA (12). The primary fuel (22) is a bio-gas or the like having a limited, possibly variable, equivalent H2 content, and the secondary fuel (22) has a greater and relatively constant equivalent H2 content and is mixed with the primary fuel in an economic, constant relationship that assures adequate performance of the CSA (12). One or more parameters (IDC, P, V, E. C.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply line supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, an oxidizing gas supply line supplying oxidizing gas to the fuel cell, a circulation line circulating fluid through at least one of the fuel cell, the fuel gas supply line and the oxidizing gas supply line, and a microorganism inhibiting unit located in the circulation line to execute sterilization so as to sterilize microorganisms present in the fluid. The microorganism inhibiting method is utilized in the fuel cell system of such a structure to sterilize the microorganisms present in the fluid in the midway of the circulation line.

Abstract: A miniaturized microbial fuel cell is described deriving electrical power from the biological activity of microbes, typically the metabolism of glucose by baker's yeast. Microfabrication techniques are used to miniaturize the components as well as the overall fuel cell and are capable of integration with other biomedical and implantable devices. Substantial reductions in both the size and the cost of implantable systems are thereby achievable. Electrode structures are used that facilitate electron transfer and power production giving favorable power densities in a miniature fuel cell. In addition, the microbial fuel cell of the present invention extracts glucose or other metabolite(s) from the ambient body fluids as its fuel, thus achieving a renewable, long-term power source for implantable biomedical devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the design and manufacture of foldable integrated stiffeners. These stiffeners may be used in, for example, thin-film arrays of electrochemical devices.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for generating electric power, the arrangement comprising several biocatalytic fuel cell units for generating electric power. The arrangement also comprises one ore more capacitors for balancing and storing the voltage generated by the biocatalytic fuel cell units, and means for connecting the voltage generated by the biocatalytic fuel cell units cyclically to the one or more capacitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biocatalytic direct alcohol fuel cell comprising an anode chamber, one or more cathode chambers, and an ion exchange membrane between the chambers. The anode chamber contains a biocatalyst for oxidation of the fuel, and the cathode chamber contains a chemical catalyst, a biocatalyst or a combination thereof for reduction of oxygen or a corresponding oxidant.

Abstract: A process for producing electrical energy with the aid of a fuel cell, which includes the steps of reforming an organic fuel, removing carbon monoxide from the reformate, and reacting the hydrogen present in the reformate with oxygen, in a fuel cell, to thereby produce electrical energy. The carbon monoxide is removed from the reformate by treating the reformate in a bioreactor which contains a thermophilic microorganism strain which metabolizes carbon monoxide, under anaerobic conditions, to give carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: Battery packaging is described which permits gas generated inside of a battery package to safely escape through a vent. A sealant in communication with the vent substantially and selectively seals the vent. As the battery temperature rises to or above a minimum temperature, gas is generated. The heat causes the sealant to become substantially softened, such that the sealant unseals the vent, and the gas passes through the vent into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for recapturing electrical energy from a waste stream is disclosed. Further, features of the invention can be used to reduce the energy required for waste stream processing. Various energy sources are identified within the waste stream, and source-specific modules are provided for converting the various sources into electrical energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods using neutral red to mediate the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy. Electrically reduced neutral red has been found to promote cell growth and formation of reduced products by reversibly increasing the ratio of the reduced:oxidized forms of NAD(H) or NADP(H). Electrically reduced neutral red is able to serve as the sole source of reducing power for microbial cell growth. Neutral red is also able to promote conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy by facilitating the transfer of electrons from microbial reducing power to a fuel cell cathode.

Abstract: A hydrophilic collector for alkaline secondary batteries is formed of a nonwoven fabric plated with nickel in which the nonwoven fabric is hydrophilized by sulfonation, a gaseous fluorine treatment, or vinyl monomer grafting. A method for making the collector includes a hydrophilizing step of a nonwoven fabric comprising at least one of a polyolefin fiber and a polyamide fiber, and a plating step of applying nickel plating to the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric. Preferably, the nickel plating is electroless plating, and the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of micropores extending from one surface to the other surface thereof. An electroplating film may be deposited on the electroless plated film, if necessary. This collector facilitates assembling a battery which exhibits improved high-rate discharge characteristics due to improved adhesiveness of the plated nickel film to the nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A system for recapturing electrical energy from a waste stream is disclosed. Further, features of the invention can be used to reduce the energy required for waste stream processing. Various energy sources are identified within the waste stream, and source-specific modules are provided for converting the various sources into electrical energy.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with anode enzyme disposed on the anode and cathode enzyme is disposed on the cathode. The anode is configured and arranged to electrooxidize an anode reductant in the presence of the anode enzyme. Likewise, the cathode is configured and arranged to electroreduce a cathode oxidant in the presence of the cathode enzyme. In addition, anode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the anode to transduce a current between the anode and the anode enzyme and cathode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the cathode to transduce a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme.

Abstract: A battery electrode substrate is fabricated by the steps of applying a pressing force to a thin metal sheet by embossing to form an undulated portion over the entire surface, during the process of forming the undulated portion, forming holes in the apices of the undulated portion by a pressing force; producing burrs protruding outwardly from the edges of the holes; stacking the metal sheets formed with the undulated portions to combine the burr on the apex side of the raised portion of the lower layer of the adjoining metal sheets with the burr on the apex side of the recessed portion of the upper layer.

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.

Abstract: The object of the invention is the coupling of a hydrogen fuel cell to an enzymatic process for the production of electricity and the transformation and sequestration of CO2. Gaseous CO2 emissions from processes such as hydrocarbon reforming are transformed into carbonate or bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions by the enzymatic system in order to prevent their contribution to the greenhouse effect. The hydrogen ions resulting from the enzymatic process are recovered and combined in order to supply the hydrogen fuel cell. Finally, water, a by-product of the oxidizing reaction of the hydrogen fuel cell, is recovered and recycled back into the aqueous enzymatic system.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell comprising a first compartment, a second compartment and a barrier separating the first and second compartments, wherein the barrier comprises a proton transporting moiety.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply line supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, an oxidizing gas supply line supplying oxidizing gas to the fuel cell, a circulation line circulating fluid through at least one of the fuel cell, the fuel gas supply line and the oxidizing gas supply line, and a microorganism inhibiting unit located in the circulation line to execute sterilization so as to sterilize microorganisms present in the fluid. The microorganism inhibiting method is utilized in the fuel cell system of such a structure to sterilize the microorganisms present in the fluid in the midway of the circulation line.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a housing provided with an anode-side supply inlet for supplying a material for fuel, an anode and a cathode accommodated in the housing to sandwich a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a layer containing a biochemical catalyst which decomposes the material for fuel to generate fuel, the layer being formed between the anode-side supply inlet and the anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with anode enzyme disposed on the anode and cathode enzyme is disposed on the cathode. The anode is configured and arranged to electrooxidize an anode reductant in the presence of the anode enzyme. Likewise, the cathode is configured and arranged to electroreduce a cathode oxidant in the presence of the cathode enzyme. In addition, anode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the anode to transduce a current between the anode and the anode enzyme and cathode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the cathode to transduce a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme.

Abstract: A process for producing electrical energy with the aid of a fuel cell, which includes the steps of reforming an organic fuel, removing carbon monoxide from the reformate, and reacting the hydrogen present in the reformate with oxygen, in a fuel cell, to thereby produce electrical energy. The carbon monoxide is removed from the reformate by treating the reformate in a bioreactor which contains a thermophilic microorganism strain which metabolizes carbon monoxide, under anaerobic conditions, to give carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

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.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with anode enzyme disposed on the anode and cathode enzyme is disposed on the cathode. The anode is configured and arranged to electrooxidize an anode reductant in the presence of the anode enzyme. Likewise, the cathode is configured and arranged to electroreduce a cathode oxidant in the presence of the cathode enzyme. In addition, anode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the anode to transduce a current between the anode and the anode enzyme and cathode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the cathode to transduce a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme.