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Sugar-Powered Fuel Cells. Andrew Karman, 2011 Surf-it fellow Gobind Bisht , graduate student Dr. Marc Madou , Faculty Mentor Dr. LAWRENCE KULINSKY, Faculty Mentor . Background. Biological MicroElectroMechanical Systems Implantable electrically-operated devices: Pacemakers
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Sugar-Powered Fuel Cells Andrew Karman, 2011 Surf-it fellow GobindBisht, graduate student Dr. Marc Madou, Faculty Mentor Dr. LAWRENCE KULINSKY, Faculty Mentor
Background • Biological MicroElectroMechanical Systems • Implantable electrically-operated devices: • Pacemakers • Defibrillators • Insulin pumps • Drug delivery systems • Power supplies: • Primary (non-rechargeable) batteries • Secondary batteries • Serious drawbacks in terms of safety, reliability, and scalability
Objective • Development of biofuel cell: • Device to mimic nature’s method of energy generation • Conversion of biochemical energy into electrical energy • Anodic/Cathodic enzyme • Glucose oxidase / Laccase (0.78V)
CMEMS Architecture • Attractive features of carbon in electrochemical application • Wide electrochemical potential window • Good electrical conductivity • Chemical and mechanical stability • Low cost
Challenges & Future Outlook • Problems to Overcome: • 1) Low cell voltages & power densities • 2) Adsorption of interfering species • 3) Electrical contact between redox enzymes & electrode • Prototype in Development: • Preliminary results appear promising!