Carbon-neutral ‘biofuel’ from lakes

Science Daily  March 31, 2021 Although the greenhouse gas methane is less well known and much rarer in the atmosphere, its global warming potential is 80 to 100 times greater per unit. Methane from lakes and water reservoirs makes up about 20% of global natural methane missions. Researchers in Switzerland outline the potential and theoretical possibilities for using methane from lakes and other freshwater bodies for sustainable energy production. The feasibility of up-scaled adsorption-driven technologies to capture and refine aqueous Biogenic CH4 is mostly generated from biomass produced through atmospheric CO2 uptake. Its exploitation in freshwaters can thus secure large […]

Microbes harvest electrons: Novel process discovered

Science Daily  November 5, 2019 Bacteria don’t have mouths, so they need another way to bring their fuel into their bodies. Researchers at Washington University have shown how a naturally occurring bacteria (a strain of Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1) builds a conduit to accept electrons across its outer membrane. The bacteria rely on an iron-containing helper molecule called a deca-heme cytochrome c. By processing this protein, TIE-1 can form an essential bridge to its electron source. According to the researchers the study will aid in designing a bacterial platform where bacteria can feed on electricity and carbon dioxide to produce value-added […]

Contact lenses with built-in biofuel cells as power supply

Nanowerk  March 6, 2018 Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) are bioelectronic devices that utilize enzymes as the electrocatalysts to catalyze the oxidation of fuel and/or the reduction of oxygen or peroxide for energy conversion to electricity. Researchers in Ireland placed the electrodes between two commercially available contact lenses to avoid direct contact with the eye and tested them in a solution of artificial tears as well as one containing phosphate buffer solution. Hydrophilic silicon-hydrogel contact lenses contain microchannels that enable the transport of solutions and oxygen to the EBFC. This flexible EBFC holds potential as an autonomous power supply for wearable […]